Insulation Products Group
RL Hudson’s insulation products reduce heat transfer, muffle sound, and/or prevent the flow of low-voltage electricity. We’ve grouped isolators with insulation products because they’re used in much the same way. Many times, reducing heat transfer and muffling sound involve the sealing of gaps and openings, so we’ll be looking at specific materials, such as foams, that also provide those benefits. Whether your application calls for a custom-designed component or one made to your print, our material experts and design engineers understand what it takes to meet your most demanding requirements.
ISOLATORS (also called stand-offs) physically separate components so that low-voltage electricity–such as that found in vehicle electrical systems–cannot flow between them. Isolators may also be used to physically separate components from sources of heat or sound. They may be rubber, plastic, thermosetting (curing) resin, or metal, and often combine two or more materials. Common thermosetting resins include melamine, phenolic, urea formaldehyde, polyester, and epoxy.
LAMINATES are made by bonding two or more sheets or layers, often of dissimilar materials, to form a composite product. Laminates are frequently composed of one of several thermosetting resins reinforced with paper, glass fiber, natural fibers, or textile fibers. They are strong and rigid, with good high temperature resistance, and are typically used for electrical or thermal insulation.
APPLICATIONS FOR
INSULATION PRODUCTS
INCLUDE:
Appliances
Agricultural & Heavy Equipment
Vehicles & Engines
Marine
Outdoor Power Equipment
Recreational Vehicles
MOLDED THERMOSET insulation products are similar to laminates, but are made by molding a filler- or fiber-reinforced thermosetting resin into a specific shape. Complex shapes, often containing metal inserts, can be produced.
PLASTIC COATING is a technique in which plastic is sprayed, dipped, or molded onto a metal surface to reduce heat transfer, muffle sound, and/or prevent the flow of electricity. It can also be used to inhibit corrosion or as decoration. The range of available materials is broad, and includes both thermoplastic and thermosetting resins. Flexible PVC (vinyl) is applied as a liquid; polyamide (nylon; PA) is applied as a powder. A heat cycle melts the plastic into a continuous film, which hardens when it cools. Thermosetting powder-applied coatings, which include epoxy and polyester, are permanently crosslinked (cured) during the heat cycle.
FOAM Rubber, plastic, and polyurethane flexible foams are available in a wide range of firmness, sound-absorbing properties, and thermal insulation values. Both open and closed cell foams are manufactured in slab, board, sheet,
SLEEVES used for insulation purposes are usually tubular, and are used to shield wires, tubes, hoses, junctions, connectors, etc. from heat and/or electricity. Sleeves may be woven from glass fiber, Kevlar® or Nomex® (aramid), Halar® (fluoropolymer), nylon (polyamide), or Ryton® PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) and may be tightly woven or expandable. Metal foil, silicone rubber, acrylic, PVC, or some other outer barrier may be added.
APPLICATIONS for insulation products include appliances, agricultural and heavy equipment, vehicles and engines, marine, outdoor power equipment, and recreational vehicles.
LET US HELP RL Hudson supplies bearing and anti-friction products to some of the largest and most demanding manufacturing companies in the world. If we can be of service to you, please let us know. You can reach us at 1-800-722-6766.
