Plastic Shims & Gaskets
Plastic Shimstock.
Colour-coded polymer shimstock from its inventors, in stock and ready to cut to your exact requirements, with a technical team to support you and fast worldwide delivery.
- Colour-coded thicknesses
- 12–3000µ
- Available immediately
- In stock
The inventors of colour-coded polymers
Trusted worldwide for shimming, spacing and insulating.
PSG is a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of colour-coded Polymex® materials. Our polymers are made from polyesters and polypropylenes, and each colour identifies a specific thickness, to an internationally recognised standard.
Read more about Polymex®Polymex® polyester spec ‘A’
0.012 mm to 0.350 mm (0.0005″ to 0.014″)
| Property | Value (MD / TD) | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Relative density | 1.40 | ASTM D 1505 |
| Water absorption | 0.60% (1 week, 24°C) | Not applicable |
| Mechanical | ||
| Tensile strength | MD2,000 kgf/cm²TD2,600 kgf/cm² | ASTM D 882 |
| Yield strength | MD1,000 kgf/cm²TD1,000 kgf/cm² | ASTM D 882 |
| Elongation at break | MD125%TD80% | ASTM D 882 |
| Ultimate compressive strength | 28,500 psi (250A) | ASTM D 695-63T |
| Electrical | ||
| Dielectric strength | 6.4 kV (23 µm), 16 kV (125 µm), 23 kV (250 µm) | ASTM D 149 |
| Surface resistivity | > 10¹³ Ω/sq | Not applicable |
| Thermal | ||
| Service temperature | −70°C to 130°C | Not applicable |
| Melting point | 265°C | Not applicable |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion (20°C to 50°C) | MD19 × 10⁻⁶ cm/cm/°CTD19 × 10⁻⁶ cm/cm/°C | Not applicable |
| Shrinkage (after 5 minutes at 190°C) | MD3%TD3% | Not applicable |
General
- Relative density
- 1.40
- Test method: ASTM D 1505
- Water absorption
- 0.60% (1 week, 24°C)
Mechanical
- Tensile strength
- MD2,000 kgf/cm²TD2,600 kgf/cm²
- Test method: ASTM D 882
- Yield strength
- MD1,000 kgf/cm²TD1,000 kgf/cm²
- Test method: ASTM D 882
- Elongation at break
- MD125%TD80%
- Test method: ASTM D 882
- Ultimate compressive strength
- 28,500 psi (250A)
- Test method: ASTM D 695-63T
Electrical
- Dielectric strength
- 6.4 kV (23 µm), 16 kV (125 µm), 23 kV (250 µm)
- Test method: ASTM D 149
- Surface resistivity
- > 10¹³ Ω/sq
Thermal
- Service temperature
- −70°C to 130°C
- Melting point
- 265°C
- Coefficient of thermal expansion (20°C to 50°C)
- MD19 × 10⁻⁶ cm/cm/°CTD19 × 10⁻⁶ cm/cm/°C
- Shrinkage (after 5 minutes at 190°C)
- MD3%TD3%
MD: machine direction. TD: transverse direction.
Polymex® shimstock
Every thickness has its own colour.
Polymex® is internationally recognised as a preferred material for high-quality, precision-cut components and gaskets, specified in premium vehicles, military equipment on land, at sea and in the air, and many other technical applications.
- Clear 0.012 mm
- Purple 0.025 mm
- Pink 0.037 mm
- Blue 0.050 mm
- Black 0.065 mm
- Green 0.075 mm
- Amber 0.100 mm
- Brown 0.125 mm
- Clear 0.150 mm
- P. Blue 0.175 mm
- Hazy 0.190 mm
- T. Blue 0.200 mm
- Silver 0.225 mm
- White 0.250 mm
- D. Green 0.300 mm
- Natural 0.350 mm
- Red 0.375 mm
- Yellow 0.500 mm
- Hazy 0.500 mm
- L. Grey 0.625 mm
- Blue 0.750 mm
- Tan 1.000 mm
- C. Grey 1.250 mm
- Cream 1.500 mm
- Natural 2.000 mm
- Black 3.000 mm
Colours on screen are indicative. Ask for a physical Polymex® swatch for exact matching.
Where can I buy Polymex® polymers?
In stock, and competitively priced.
Available immediately
The full range, in stock
The full Polymex® range is in stock and available immediately from our UK Midlands manufacturing facility, the home of Polymex®.
Direct from the manufacturer
Competitively priced
As the UK's leading manufacturer and originator of polymer precision-cut components, who also manufacture for other component suppliers, we keep prices low for our direct customers.
Why use plastic shimstock for precision cut components
A cost-effective alternative to metal.
Our technical team will help you develop the component you need.
Aligning components
Setting precise gaps and alignment in an assembly.
Reducing reactivity between materials
Separating materials that would otherwise react.
Protecting joins
Shielding joints from wear and tear.
Reducing corrosion
A barrier that will not corrode.
Key benefits of our polymer shimstock
Everything a shim should be, and lighter than metal.
Instant identification
Colour-coding identifies the thickness at a glance, internationally trusted and recognised.
Strong and light
A high strength-to-weight ratio makes Polymex® a strong alternative to metal shims, with corrosion resistance and durability.
Built to last
Highly durable, with excellent wear resistance and high compressive strength.
Resists oil, chemicals and moisture
It will not swell or degrade, even in harsh environments.
Insulating and low friction
Excellent insulation properties and a low coefficient of friction.
Wide temperature range
An extensive range of temperature tolerances.
Made in the UK
Manufactured to high quality standards in our high-hygiene facility.
Polymex® polypropylene spec ‘B’
0.375 mm to 3.000 mm (0.015″ to 0.118″)
| Property | Value | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength at yield | 3,560 lbf/in² | BS 2782 301G |
| Ultimate compressive strength | 4,000 to 8,000 psi | Not applicable |
| Elastic modulus in tension | 200,000 lbf/in² | ASTM D790 59T |
| Izod impact strength | 8 ft·lbf/in notch | BS 2782 306A |
| Izod impact strength (1.00 mm notch) | 430 J/m notch | Not applicable |
| Brittle failures | None | Not applicable |
| Brinell hardness | 9.5 | BS 240 |
| Softening point | 144°C | BS 2782 102D |
| Coefficient of linear expansion | 11 × 10⁻⁵ per °C | Not applicable |
| Surface resistivity | > 10¹⁵ Ω | BS 2782 203A |
| Volume resistivity | > 10¹⁶ Ω·cm | BS 2782 202A |
| Electrical strength | 19 kV/mm | BS 2782 206B |
| Specific gravity | 0.91 to 0.95 | Not applicable |
| Water absorption | 0.3 mg (< 0.02%) | BS 2782 502D |
- Tensile strength at yield
- 3,560 lbf/in²
- Test method: BS 2782 301G
- Ultimate compressive strength
- 4,000 to 8,000 psi
- Elastic modulus in tension
- 200,000 lbf/in²
- Test method: ASTM D790 59T
- Izod impact strength
- 8 ft·lbf/in notch
- Test method: BS 2782 306A
- Izod impact strength (1.00 mm notch)
- 430 J/m notch
- Brittle failures
- None
- Brinell hardness
- 9.5
- Test method: BS 240
- Softening point
- 144°C
- Test method: BS 2782 102D
- Coefficient of linear expansion
- 11 × 10⁻⁵ per °C
- Surface resistivity
- > 10¹⁵ Ω
- Test method: BS 2782 203A
- Volume resistivity
- > 10¹⁶ Ω·cm
- Test method: BS 2782 202A
- Electrical strength
- 19 kV/mm
- Test method: BS 2782 206B
- Specific gravity
- 0.91 to 0.95
- Water absorption
- 0.3 mg (< 0.02%)
- Test method: BS 2782 502D
Shim guide
Shimstock, cut shims or shim packs?
Our guide to the types of shims explains when to buy shimstock and cut it yourself, when to order shims cut to your drawing, and how to make up a gap from a stack of colour-coded shims.
Types of shimsGet a quote today
Get a quote for plastic shimstock.
- 01
Send your drawing
Upload a DXF, DWG, PDF or STEP file, or describe the part. Everything you send is handled in confidence.
- 02
Material advice
Our technical team helps you select the right material and thickness for the application.
- 03
Precision cut in-house
Die cutting, precision laser or water jet, chosen to hold your specified tolerances.
- 04
Delivered to your deadline
Manufactured in the UK and shipped worldwide.
Request a quote
Tell us what you need and a member of our technical team will be in touch.
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