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A guide to fill materials


a guide to fill materials

Having selected the type of brush you need, there are many factors to consider in order to specify the ideal fill material. The selection of fill material is influenced by what work you want the fill material to do and the environment in which it will be working. Factors such as abrasion, bend recovery, working temperature, humidity and chemical resistance should all be taken into account when choosing a fill material.

Here is a quick guide to the most commonly used fill materials, but don’t forget we’re always on hand to offer help and advice.

Synthetic fill materials

Nylon 6 (PA 6)

A durable filament with good recovery, temperature stability and abrasion resistance.

  • Temperature resistance in dry operation: 100ºC
  • Temperature resistance in wet operation: 90ºC
  • Low-temperature resistance: -40ºC
  • Available in 0.15 mm – 2.00 mm diameter, level or crimped.
  • Colour: Black or natural, other colours on request
  • Food safe

Nylon 6.6 (PA 6.6)

A high-quality filament with a higher stiffness, recovery and abrasion resistance than Nylon 6.

  • Temperature resistance in dry operation: 120ºC
  • Temperature resistance in wet operation: 100ºC
  • Low-temperature resistance: -40ºC
  • Available in 0.15 mm – 2.00 mm diameter, level or crimped.
  • Colour: Black or natural, other colours on request
  • Food safe

Nylon 6.12 (PA 6.12)

A high-quality filament having excellent bend recovery and abrasion resistance

  • Temperature resistance in dry operation: 110ºC
  • Temperature resistance in wet operation: 100ºC
  • Low-temperature resistance: -40ºC
  • Available in 0.06 mm – 2.00 mm diameter, level or crimped.
  • Colour: Black or natural, other colours on request
  • Food safe

Polyester (PBT)

An excellent filament with good stiffness and recovery, its low water absorption makes it particularly suitable for wet applications.

  • Temperature resistance in dry operation: 100ºC
  • Temperature resistance in wet operation: 90ºC
  • Low-temperature resistance: -40ºC
  • Available in 0.15 mm – 2.00 mm diameter, level or crimped.
  • Colour: Black or natural, other colours on request
  • Food safe

Polypropylene (PP)

Good chemical resistance with a higher wet stiffness than Nylon. Good bend on recovery but will take a set more easily than other materials.

  • Temperature resistance in dry operation: 80ºC
  • Temperature resistance in wet operation: 90ºC
  • Low-temperature resistance: -10ºC
  • Available in 0.15 mm – 2.00 mm diameter, level or crimped.
  • Colour: Black or natural, other colours on request

Polyethylene (PE)

A soft and durable material suitable for applications where abrasion is to be avoided.

  • Temperature resistance in dry operation: 70ºC
  • Temperature resistance in wet operation: 65ºC
  • Low-temperature resistance: -50ºC
  • Available in 0.35 mm – 1.20 mm, round or cross-section profile
  • Colour: black or natural, other colours on request

Chemical resistance of fill materials

Nylon Polypropylene Polyethylene Polyester Natural hair Fibre
Acetaldyhyde 100% U S20 S60
Acetic Acid U S60 S60 S20 S20 S20
Alcholhol (Benzil) U S60 S60 S60 S60
Alcholhol (Methyl, Ethyl) 100% S60 S60 U S60 S60
Alum S60 S60 S60 S60 S60 S60
Aluminium Sulphate S60 S60 S60 S60 S60 U
Ammonia Liquid S60 S60 S60 U U U
Ammonium Bicarbonate S60 S60 S60 S60 S60 S60
Ammonium Flouride S60 S60 S60 U
Ammonium Persulphate U S60 S60 U U
Ammonium Sulphate S60 S60 S60 S60 S60 S60
Ammonium Sulphide S60 S60 S60 U
Amyl Acetate U U U S60 S60 S60
Anti-Freeze S60 S60 S20 S60 S60 S60
Barium Sulphide U S60 S60 U
Bleaching Powder (Dilute) U S60 U U U U
Brine S60 S60 S60 S60 S60 S60
Calcium Chloride S60 S60 S60 S60 S60 S60
Carbon Tetrachloride S60 U U S60 S60 S60
Chlorine, Water U U U U
Cresol U U S20 S60 S60
Cupric S60 U S60 S60 S60 S60
Detergents (Aqueous) S60 S60 U S60 S60
Developers (Photographic) S60 S60 U U U
Ether S60 U U S60 S60 S60
Ethyl Acetate S60 U U S60 S60 S60
Ferric Chloride S60 S20 S20 S60 U
Flousilicic Acid 32% U S60 S20 U U
Formaldehyde 40% U S60 S60 S60 S60
Formic Acid 50% U S60 S60 S60 S60 U
Hydrobromic Acid 50% U S60 S60 U U
Hydrochloric Acid 50% U S20 S60 U U
Hydroflouric Acid 40% U S20 S60 U U U
Hydrogen Peroxide 30% U S20 S60 S60 S60 S60
Hydrquinine (Non-Aqueous) S60 S60 S60 S60
Lead Tetraethyl S60 S20
Mercuric Chloride U S60 S60 S20 S60 S60
Methylene Chloride U U U U S60 S60
Methyl Ethyl Ketone S60 U U S60 S60 S60
Mineral Oils S60 S20 U S60 S60 S60
Naphtha S60 S60 S60 S60
Naphthalene S60 S60 S60 S20 S60 S60
Nitric Acid 10% U S60 S60 S60 U U
Oxalid Acid 10% U S20 S60 S60 S60 U
Phosporic Acid 20% S20 S60 S60 S60 S60 U
Polyester Resin S60 S60 S60
Potassium Bicarbonate S60 S60
Silicone Oils S60 S60 U S60 S60
Sodium Bisulphate S60 S60 S60 U U
Sodium Bisulphite S60 S60 S60 U U S60
Sodium Carbonate S60 S60 S60 S60 U S20
Sodium Hydroxide S60 S60 S60 U U
Sodium Nitrate S60 S60 S60 S60 S60 S60
Sodium Sulphide S60 S60 U U S60
Stannic Chloride S60 S60 S20 U U
Starch S60 S60 S60 S60 S60 S60
Stearic Acid S60 S20 S60 S60
Sugar S60 S60 S60 S60 S60 S60
Sulphur S60 S60 S20 S60 S60
Sulphuric Acid S20 S60 S60 S60 S60 U
Tallow S60 S60 S20 U S60 S60
Tetrahydrafurane S60 U U S60 S60
Toluene S60 U U S60 S60 S60
Tricresyl Phosphate U S60 S60
Triethanomaline S60 S60 S60
White Spirit S60 S60 S60 S60 S60
Yeast U S60 S60 S60 S60
Zinc Choride U S60 S60 S60 S20 U

Key

Unsuitable U
Suitable up to 20°C S20
Suitable up to 60°C S60