It is our pleasure to announce that we are expanding our business with a new warehouse location.
The new location address is 39655 N IL Route 83 Lake Villa, IL 60046
Please update your records with our new address. We will be moving on (June, 3rd 2021) and resuming business at our new location on (June 7th 2021). Our phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same, as will our website address and social media accounts.
Our new facility offers us the opportunity to expand our high-performance product line as well new converting services and machinery.
With an expanded floor space of more than double of our previous location, we are able to stock more inventory and solidify our mission to provide superior products in the shortest timeframe possible.
We look forward to continuing to be your worldwide source for high performance tapes, films, fabrics, silicone.
“This expansion allows us opportunities to broaden service capabilities, increase product offerings and further evolve to better serve you, our valued customer.”
UHMW (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) plastic is a highly abrasion, impact, and wear resistant plastic with a low coefficient of friction. These performance properties make UHMW ideal for applications that require surface protection, sound dampening, or a quick solution to eliminate squeaks or rattles caused by adjacent movement. UHMW can be used in several different industries and in the most unique applications. UHMW Polyethylene can be produced into rods, rectangles, sheets, molded parts, thin gauge films, or adhesive backed tape products. CS Hyde is a supplier and converter of UHMW Film & Adhesive Backed UHMW in natural and black anti-static types.
Researching polymer films can be a difficult task, especially since there is so many different grades, resins, and combinations available. However, breaking down polymer films by molecular structure: amorphous or semi-crystalline can help narrow down the selection to films that will meet property requirements, difficulty of fabrication, and their relative cost.
The difference between amphorous & semi-crystaline films
Semi-crystalline films have a highly ordered molecular structure with sharp melt points. While amorphous polymers soften gradually when the temperature rises, semi-crystalline plastics do not. Instead, they remain solid until a certain quantity of heat is absorbed. The materials then quickly change into a low viscosity liquid. However, the sharp melting point of semi-crystalline polymers makes them difficult to thermoform, but ideal for applications that require a high strength, low friction plastic.
CS Hyde Company stocks and converts a variety of high performance and engineering films. We also laminate PSA adhesive to hard to bond semi-crystalline films, ideal for peel and stick bonding applications. To learn more about each of the films view our high performance film catalog, orcontact us for additional information.
Bonding display panels or optics screens has become a task for engineers in every industry from automotive & aerospace to personal handheld electronics, fitness equipment and kitchen appliances. As technology advances new design challenges evolve to create more aesthetic functional display panels with or without touchscreen capabilities. If you remember the early 2000’s the demand for small compact cell phones were a necessity. Fast forward to 2020 and we are incorporating screen technology in our cars that is bigger than our cell phones.
But what makes screen displays worth buying? From a consumer perspective we focus on appearance, app functionality, and quality depending on the device. OEM screen manufactures and engineers not only have to understand consumer demands but also design screens that are durable to withstand the environments they are used and installed in. Common challenges in the display panel industry include adhesive bond strength, adhesion to narrow bond lines, optically clear adhesives, while limiting material and adhesive waste.
Optically clear adhesive for bonding layers in display panels
3M™ Optically Clear Adhesives- 8211, 8212, 8213, 8214 and 8215 are unique clear free-film bonding adhesives that do not require an adhesive carrier. Optically clear adhesives are contaminant free resulting in improved bubble resistance on glass or plastic film cover laminations exposed to high temperature and high humidity: a common requirement in automotive display screen fabrication. Optical clear adhesives are ideal for LCD flat panel displays, touch screens, transparent graphic overlays, and other devices requiring an optically clear bond.
Why OCA adhesives are ideal for display applications?
Light transmission >99% when corrected for reflection losses.
Non-birefringent when removed from carrier film.
High temperature, humidity, and UV resistance.
Long term durability without yellowing, delaminating, or degrading.
3M® VHB double side foam tape for display bonding applications
3M VHB double sided foam tapes are a fast, economical, and durable fastening solution for mounting multiple layers below one display lens; VHB® tape is ultra-thin and its energy absorbing properties provide impact and vibration resistance a common challenge in the automotive display industry. VHB® adhesion technology makes it ideal for a permanent seal against water, moisture, and contaminants.
Converting solutions to display panel bonding challenges
Multiple display layers below one lens– Different panel layers require different types of adhesive with different aesthetics or levels of adhesion.
Solution– CS Hyde is a 3M® Converter and can source the best performing adhesive for your application. Our in-house converting services enable us to custom slit adhesive rolls, laminate adhesives to plastic film, and provide custom cut parts directly from a .DXF drawing.
Bonding to narrow bond lines– Designing larger display panels with thin housings and narrow bond lines creates a problem for engineers to bond outer cover lenses and internal material layers. This is a main reason why most display panel manufactures opt to using liquid adhesives.
Solution– CS Hyde can custom slit 3M® VHB rolls to required application width. We can also produce custom cut 3M® VHB bonding gaskets to bond and seal to narrow bond lines.
VHB® waste generation– Display panel manufactures commonly utilize liquid adhesives because incorporating 3M® VHB™ foam tapes generate scrap material at a cost. A common example is cover lens gaskets, producing these types of gaskets the outer matrix is utilized while leaving an internal matrix as scrap.
Solution– Utilizing digital knife cutting we can cut parts directly from a .DXF drawing. Engineers can draw their VHB™ gaskets, with nested parts or shapes inside of the internal matrix. This will enable production to utilize the inner VHB™ matrix for other parts associated with fastening or bonding. This can include squares or circles for sensors, or strips for bonding other components within the panel.
Kapton® or polyimide is an amber colored polymer plastic founded by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company in the 1960’s. Kapton® is widely known for its high temperature resistance, dielectric strength, dimensional stability, and chemical resistance. These properties make Kapton® a performance polymer commonly used in the electronics and aerospace industry.
Polyimide is manufactured in plastic film, sheets, adhesive tape, or extruded parts. CS Hyde is a distributor of DuPont® Kapton® Polyimide films and Kapton® adhesives tapes. Depending on your application we also supply different types of polyimide tapes and film with additional additives for application specific properties like Electrostatic dissipation (ESD), or thermal insulation.
Utilizing Our Converting Capabilities To Meet Your Specifications
CS Hyde Company is more than your average distributor, we are a full-service converter. What is a converter? Think of the noun convert- it is defined as “a change in form.” At CS Hyde we have in-house converting capabilities that enable us to change the “form” of standard polyimide roll products to produce custom width rolls, sheets, and specialty die cut parts.
Kapton® is a Registered Trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company used under license by CS Hyde Company
The most common PTFE Tape and the number one search engine suggestion is known as “PTFE Pipe thread tape” or “plumbers’ tape” which is primarily used in plumbing applications on pipes, tubes, or conduits as a lubricating seal tape to prevent water and air leakage. PTFE Thread seal tape conforms to pipe threads acting as a “gap” filler, and the non-stick PTFE properties provide lubrication to the threads allowing for ease of installation when securing fasteners. If you have used this type of PTFE tape, you have seen how far thread tape can stretch before it breaks, but have you ever wondered why? It is because PTFE thread seal tape exhibits extremely high “elongation” (remember this term, its important!). PTFE thread seal tape can be stretched to almost 50% of it’s initial composure, enabling the tape to wrap and conform around threaded components. A common reason why most plumbing “DIY’s” recommend using scissors to cut the tape instead of stretching or pulling the tape until it breaks. PTFE thread seal tape has the highest conformity out of all types of PTFE Tape. Almost all types of PTFE tape consist of elongation properties to improve conformability, especially when utilized in wrapping applications.
What is PTFE?
PTFE, also known as Polytetrafluoroethylene is a well-known fluoropolymer among various industries by the trade name “Teflon” by Chemours. Many of us can associate Teflon™ with cookware, most recognizable as PTFE coated pans for their nonstick release properties. Debatably, one could say the PTFE coating on nonstick cookware was developed to replace or limit the need for fatty cooking oils that affect our cholesterol. PTFE is a fluoropolymer super slippery and extremely temperature resistant, and chemically inert. These fluoropolymers have distinguished themselves as an ideal coating for numerous applications in various industries ranging from cookware to aerospace flight components. However, PTFE is not only used as a coating; it can also be manufactured into different grades. When coupled with additional additive properties to create “Modified PTFE”, or in different forms like molded parts, solid heavy gauge sheets, skived films, rods, bars, and adhesive-backed tapes. It can also be combined with different polymers to create performance manufactured products. Please continue on to learn more about the different forms and applications discussed in this guide.
What properties differentiate the types of PTFE Tape?
Understanding each PTFE tapes physical properties can help distinguish them. Their different characteristics offer different functionalities when using or applying them in your application.
Typical PTFE Tape Properties Characteristics:
Elongation: a measurement that shows how much a material can be stretched before it breaks.
Tensile Strength: the resistance of a material to breaking under tension. Mostly measured in pounds per inch values.
While recognizing the importance of search engines, it needs to be noted there are various other types of performance PTFE tapes that can be used in industries like packaging, electronics, manufacturing, and aerospace. The most common types of PTFE tape include skived, calendared, extruded, coated, and laminated. What characterizes the different types of PTFE tape is the manufacturing process utilized to produce them. These processes are what give PTFE tape superior performance characteristics like high density, elongation, and tensile strength. The adhesive backing is composed of either silicone or acrylic adhesive.
Skived PTFE Tape– consists of PTFE billets or blocks shaved or “skived” to achieve the nominal film thickness. In example, think of an old-style spindle potato peeler, the potato is placed on a hand cranked spindle while a spinning knife is held against the potato to peel its outer layer. Skived PTFE shares a similar process but incorporates a high torque motorized shaft that is spun against a fixed blade across the full width of the PTFE billet to achieve a desired film thickness. After skiving is complete PTFE film then goes through a treating process to enable an adhesive coating to be placed on the film, creating Skived PTFE tape.
Benefits of skived PTFE:
Made from Natural Skived PTFE Film
Available as thin as .0005″, and in thicker gauges up to .125”
Calendared PTFE Tape– This refers a process that melts PTFE polymers into a sheet or film. This done by a machine utilizing high heat and hard pressure rollers to compress and mold the PTFE into the desired film thickness.
Benefits of calendared PTFE:
Smooth surface quality
Reduced Skive Lines
Great thickness accuracy
PTFE Coated Tape– These types of PTFE tapes are commonly made up of fiberglass fabric substrates that are dispersion coated with Teflon™ PTFE. These are made from tightly woven fiberglass fibers that provide dimensional stability while the PTFE coating provides a slippery, anti-friction release surface. There are two universal grades of PTFE coated fiberglass tapes, standard or ultra-premium grade. These types are individualized by the grade of woven fiberglass fibers and the amount of PTFE coating. These tapes utilize two adhesive backing systems in either silicone or acrylic adhesive. Silicone is frequently used for high temperature applications or applications that require easy removability and clean release. Acrylic is used for applications that require stronger bonding adhesion or a higher initial tack adhesion. A specialty tape known as “Zone Tape” is a PTFE coated fiberglass tape that is used for applications that require adhesive on only certain parts of the tape leaving the center of the tape as the non-adhesive “free zone”.
Laminated PTFE Tape– These types of PTFE tapes utilize the same fiberglass fibers as PTFE coated fiberglass tapes; however PTFE is laminated on to the fiberglass creating a more durable and longer lasting surface. Laminated PTFE tapes are more flexible and have an extended application life compared to traditionally coated PTFE tapes.
How PTFE tapes can be used in applications
PTFE’s versatile performance properties including non-stick release, high temperature, water and chemical resistance, and dielectric strength enable PTFE tapes to be used in a variety of applications. These properties help to improve performance where physical characteristics are important. Common PTFE Tape applications include wrapping, insulating, separating or gap filling.
For conformable applications,high-density PTFE, R-Series, or FST Tape are ideal choice for these types of applications. Their low elongation properties and special manufacturing processes make them ideal for wrapping applications. For example, high-density PTFE can be used for high temperature insulation applications. Skived HD PTFE Tape meets MIL-I-23594C U.S. Government specifications and is commonly used in aerospace applications to wrap airframe wire harnesses. R-Series PTFE tape can be used to wrap neoprene drive rollers on conveyor systems as it does not curl or wrinkle. Due to it high tensile strength and toughness, FST tape can also be used as roller protection wrapping. This tape is commonly used in flat die extrusion of polyethylene coatings and other lamination applications.
For insulating or masking applications,skived PTFE is recommended for its superior insulating strength, release properties as well as chemical and temperature resistance. Standard skived tapes are highly conformable with 300% elongation, perfect for masking applications to conform around corners and edges. For gap filling, separating, or insulating materials thick gauge “FAT” PTFE tape (.020”-.125”) can be used to create dielectric insulation, a high temperature barrier, or a non-stick separator. Skived PTFE tape has high dielectric strength which makes it ideal as an insulator in electronic applications.
For applications requiring durability coupled with non-stick properties,PTFE coated fiberglass tape or PTFE laminate tape are recommended. PTFE Fiberglass tapes are commonly used in packaging applications on form/fill/seal machines to cover hot wires or heat-sealing jaws. They are also used on conveyor systems as release liners to eliminate friction on high traffic areas. These PTFE fiberglass tapes are very versatile and CS Hyde recommends this product as diaphragm gasket material due the dimensional stability of the fiberglass and PTFE’s release properties.
“Teflon™ is a trademark of The Chemours Company FC, LLC used under license by CS Hyde Company.”
Due to the current pandemic clear performance plastics are in high demand for use in the production of clear plastic face shields or Sneeze Guards. In the beginning these face shields were being produced for nurses and doctors on the front line, to provide any extra layer of protection over their face mask. In concept, these face shields are worn to prevent individuals from touching their face and provide a moisture resistant barrier from airborne particles. In response to the unforeseen future many more industries could be implementing these face shields as a uniform requirement. For instance, dentistry, food packaging, food service, mail carriers, child care centers, or any job or service that requires point of purchase situations or jobs that cannot be done at a social distance. Contact sports like football or lacrosse could also be soon implementing these protective face shields. Below is a guide for material tips and technologies used to manufacture clear plastic face shields and sneeze guards.
What materials is used to make face shield straps?
Many different companies and individuals have created their own face shield designs, utilizing different plastics and fabrics/fibers to construct their face shield headbands. Some designs have incorporated silicone foam to be utilized as a spacer that provides comfort and a space gap to create ventilation and prevent fogging. For strapping systems, some designs have incorporated stretchable elastic, similar to the kind used in your favorite pair of sweatpants. Other strap designs incorporate 3D Printed plastic frames or specialty die cut rigid plastics. More cost-effective designs do not use a strapping system and instead utilize special cut outs in the clear plastic shields enabling them to be attached to either normal eyewear (glasses) or headwear (hats).
CS Hyde recommend’ s using Velcro® One-Wrap® straps. Velcro® is conformable, extremely durable, and reusable. Utilizing Velcro®’s hook and loop technology the straps can be placed on each side of the shield and fastened by stitching or a type of riveting system. A faster process would be to create a slit in each side of the shield and run the Velcro® through each of the holes, making sure hook surface is on the outside. This process would create a buckle around the rectangular piece of plastic where the slit was created, the excess hook straps could be tightened around your head and then fastened down onto the loop surface. For example, imagine the Velcro® strap shoes we had to wear before we knew how to tie our shoes. Incorporating Velcro® One-Wrap creates the same concept, securable and fully adjustable straps for your face shield design.
What clear plastics are used to produce face shields/Sneeze Guards?
Choosing the right plastic for face shields depends on cost, durability, and processability. For these type of face shields clarity and transparency is a critical property requirement when identifying the right plastic. Most commonly face shields are produced from clear thermoplastic films including Polyester (PET), Polycarbonate (PC), or (PETG) in a thickness range from .007” to 030” or 7 mil. to 30 mil. (thousands of an inch). Each of these films have exceptional clarity, with only a couple factors setting them apart. Polyester is most chemical resistant, Polycarbonate is more abrasion resistant, and PETG is most cost effective. All these plastics have moisture resistance properties and can perform extremely well, so choosing the right plastic would depend on property specifics and budget costs related to your application.
Clear plastic films for face shield/sneeze guard lens- Clear Polyester, Polycarbonate, PETG
CS Hyde supplies optically clear Polyester (PET), Polycarbonate (PC), and (PETG) films. Available in thickness ranges from .005” to 030” or 5 mil. to 30 mil. (thousands of an inch) depending on material. We can supply plastic films in slit to width rolls, sheets, or packs of custom cut face shields.
In terms of processability or fabrication Polyester (PET), Polycarbonate (PC), or (PETG) can be easily cut with a utility knife. CS Hyde does not recommend laser cutting these plastic films because of their low melting point and possibly of discolored edging and smoke fume generation requiring an extra step sanitation procedure. Other cutting methods include rotary die cutting and overhead die cutting. These methods require a custom tool or mold to be made according to dimensions. Although rotary die cutting and overhead press die cutting can be a precise, fast method for production, there may be longer lead times and extra cost associated with manufactures who do not have in house tooling capabilities.
CS Hyde recommends digital knife cutting for mass producing face shields cut from clear plastic films. This type of cutting does not require special tooling and only requires a .DXF drawing (CAD data file format). This process utilizes an automated pneumatic knife/punch driven system that will cut the face shields according to specs replicated from the .dxf drawing. Digital Knife cutting creates smooth radius edges and precise punched holes. Minimal waste is also a benefit, due to the machines automatic nesting program. The nesting software enables the machine to maximize material usage by minimizing the outer matrix. Digital knife cutting is a cost-effective cutting method that produces quality finished products in short turnaround times. CS Hyde provides digital knife cutting in house at our Midwest Illinois facility. If interested in digital knife cutting or custom cut face shields, send us your drawing in .pdf format to sales@cshyde.
What is a PSA tape? PSA stands for (P) pressure (S) sensitive (A) adhesive tape. Pressure sensitive adhesives are self-stick adhesives that do not require solvent, heat, or water activation and no special baking/curing processes. PSA tapes require a simple peel and stick hand pressure installation process. CS Hyde company provides four PSA adhesive options including:
Rubber adhesives – Hi initial bond strength, indoor use.
High bond Acrylic– Strong bonding ideal for adhesion to difficult-to-bond, Low Surface Energy surfaces like some plastics, powder-coats, foams, and oily metals. Outdoor use.
U.V. Resistance
Water Resistance
Chemical Resistance- gasoline, oil, Freon™ TF, sodium chloride solution, mild acids and alkali’s.
Acrylic adhesives – Bond strengthens over time, rated up to 250°F to 350°F, outdoor use.
Silicone adhesives – intended for clean release applications that withstand high temperatures rated up to 500°F. Indoor use.
Custom PSA Film & Fabric Tapes
CS Hyde Company is also a 3M™ Choice Converter which allows us accommodate specialty adhesives for applications including clarity, dielectric strength, and hard to bond to substrates. Our onsite lamination capabilities enable us to custom manufacture tapes to customer specifications. All tape versions can be supplied in sheets, rolls, or specialty die cut parts. Our PSA tapes can be supplied self wound with no liner or with a peel off kraft or paper liner, we also provide double sided adhesive tapes and zone tapes. We specialize in creating custom tape products to act as insulators, surface protectors, noise dampers, friction reducers, electricity protectors, heat reducers, and static dissipaters. Common substrates we work with include Kapton®, UHMW, Polyester, Nylon, PTFE made with Telfon™ Fluoroplastics, and PTFE Coated Fiberglass.
In the packaging industry many applications rely on materials that withstand extreme temperatures, resist friction and include release properties. Fiberglass tapes and fabrics coated with Teflon™ PTFE can be an ideal solution to incorporate these benefits into packaging applications. These products can be applied on heat sealing equipment including commercial bag sealers, L-Bar sealers, or impulse wire sealers as element covers. Fiberglass tapes can also be used to improve molding applications and fill/form/seal blister packaging.
The most common tape used for these types of applications is PTFE (Teflon™) coated fiberglass, a woven fiberglass fabric. This tape can be supplied with silicone or acrylic adhesive. Generally, most applications need silicone adhesive due to its temperature resistance of up to 500°F and its clean release properties for replacement installation. Acrylic adhesive is used for high tack adhesion for stronger hold and has a temperature resistance of -40°F to 375°F. CS Hyde Company offers two different versions of PTFE (Teflon™) coated fiberglass: standard-grade and ultra-premium grade.
If an application does not require adhesive, PTFE (Teflon™) coated fiberglass fabric is an ideal alternative. Fabric is commonly used in plastic packaging as a release sheet on welding plates. We offer five different versions: standard grade, ultra-premium grade, mechanical grade, tear & crease resistant and semi porous.
Standard Grade: General purpose (Teflon™) coated fiberglass
Ultra-premium Grade: Higher base fiberglass and extra PTFE coating
Mechanical Grade: More texture, lighter coating
Tear & Crease Resistant: Resists tearing, folding, or creasing.
Semi Porous: “Bleeder cloth”, lighter coating of
Fabrics are sold by the lineal yard, full log stock, custom sheets/die cut, or fabricated into belting.
