Plastic Shims & Gaskets
Polymex® Shimstock.
Colour-coded polymer shimstock from the people who invented it. Precision cut to your exact requirements, with a technical team to support you and fast worldwide delivery.
- Colour-coded thicknesses
- 12–3000µ
- Made in our Midlands facility
- UK
The inventors of colour-coded polymer shims
Trusted worldwide for shimming, spacing and insulating.
PSG is a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of colour-coded Polymex® materials. Polymex® polymers are made from polyesters and polypropylene, and each colour identifies a specific thickness, to an internationally recognised standard used across many industries.
Polymex® is the preferred material for precision-cut components and gaskets in many industries. It is specified in premium vehicles, in military equipment on land, at sea and in the air, and in many other technical applications.
Contact us to find out morePolymex® 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.
The Polymex® colour code
No micrometer needed. The colour tells you the thickness.
Non-hygroscopic, oil-resistant, corrosion-resistant and non-conductive. Stocked in the full range at our Hinckley facility, the home of Polymex®.
- 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.
Shim stack calculator
Make up any gap from Polymex® stock.
Enter the gap you measured. The calculator finds the fewest shims, then the fewest colours, so the stack is quick to pick.
Enter the gap you measured to see the stack of shims that makes it up.
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
Specified in
Leading aerospace, automotive and defence programmes.
Polymex® is specified across many highly technical sectors.
Beyond shimstock
Polymex® cut into shims, washers and gaskets.
Polymex® shimstock is also cut to your drawing. Our guides cover the types of shims, custom washers and spacers and every other material we cut for shims and gaskets.
Gasket and shim materialsIn stock and available immediately
Get a quote for Polymex® 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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