Plastic Shims & Gaskets
Plastic Shims.
Durable, insulating and moisture resistant, with high compressive strength: precision cut to your exact requirements, with a technical team to support you and fast worldwide delivery.
- Innovation and development since
- 1969
- Colour-coded thicknesses
- 12–3000µ
What are plastic shims used for?
A versatile, cost-effective alternative to metal shims.
Durable and insulating, with high compressive strength and moisture resistance, plastic shims are a versatile all-round solution.
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.
The innovators of colour-coded polymer shims
Do you supply colour-coded plastic shims? Yes.
Colour-coding is our speciality. Our Polymex® shimstock is colour-coded for instant thickness identification, and custom shims, gaskets, washers and spacers can all be cut from it.
As a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of colour-coded Polymex® materials, our commitment to quality, consistency and service has made us a preferred manufacturer of precision-cut components and gaskets.
Polymex® shimstockPolymex® 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.
Innovation and development since 1969
Experts in manufacturing plastic shims and gaskets.
Our range is made from engineered polymers and other technical materials for specific markets. We make precision-cut polymer shims, colour-coded by thickness, for bespoke customer requirements, and are a principal supplier to distributors and OEMs across Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Precision cut shims
Technical gaskets and components
Specialist insulators
Spacers and washers
Bespoke ratchet and anti-friction discs
Project prototype components
Why choose our plastic shims
Tough, versatile and adaptable to your application.
Polymex® products are used in pressure and temperature control for compression, expansion, sealing and support. They are self-lubricating, wear-resistant and corrosion-proof, and withstand high pressure and both high and low temperatures.
Durable
Polymex® shims and gaskets will not corrode or break down.
Assorted range
Available in a wide variety of thicknesses.
High quality
Continuous testing keeps production within the highest industry standards.
The Polymex® colour code
Every thickness has its own colour.
Pick the right shim by sight, without a micrometer. The full Polymex® range, from 12 to 3000 microns, in millimetres or inches.
- 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.
Why choose Polymex® polymers?
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
Plastic, metal or laminated: the types of shims compared.
Plastic shims are one of several types. Our guide compares plastic, metal and laminated shims, slotted and ring shapes, and shimstock against cut shims, so you can choose the right one before you ask for a quote.
Types of shimsGet a quote today
Get a quote for plastic shims.
- 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.
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