Boltaron 4332 Carbon Fiber Pattern
This thermal forming material is especially formulated
for sheaths and holsters. We also carry Kydex(tm) in some colors which
is similar. This Boltaron material, formula #4332 was designed
specifically for the our industry. I think when you try this material,
it will be your material of choice going forward.
Note:
This is a highly detailed pattern impressed on one surface of the
material that makes it look very much like carbon fiber. When you see it
for the first time, you will want to feel it. The surface texture feel
is convincing and satisfying. It is not real carbon fiber and does not
actually contain any carbon fiber. Molding a real carbon fiber sheath
would be a day or two process using positive and negative molds, resin,
carbon fiber sheets, an autoclave, vacuum bagging, respirators, personal
protection gear and other items. A true carbon fiber sheath would run
several hundred dollars each for just the material. Maybe you want to
just try this stuff instead first. A bit of clarity:
Boltaron(tm) and Kydex(tm) are both trademarked to their respective
companies. Both are thermal molding plastics used in tens of thousands
of applications. Just about everywhere on the planet earth, you are most
likely with in 20 or 30 feet of some thermal molded plastic that is
either Kydex or Boltaron. If you held a piece of each in your hand, you
most likely could not tell them apart. If you molded one of each, again,
you most likely could not tell them apart but they are in fact
different. Both of these trademark products have over a dozen
formulations and each has different properties. If you have used one in
the past and liked (or didn't like it), try to found out exactly which
formulation you used. There is a huge difference in performance and
suitability for molding knife sheaths or gun holsters depending on which
formulation you use. Generally, each formulation has a different cost.
To
add to the confusion, some time ago someone created the name Concealex
for thermal molding plastic for marketing purposes. I have to admit the
name sounds pretty cool and tells a story. No one really knows where
that name came from but it is used commonly as a generic term in the
knife and gun industry now and it may be Kydex or it may be Boltaron or
even another thermal molded plastic. We have used the name Concealex
here in the past but will discontinue its use in favor of more specific
product identification.
Here is some information from the Boltaron people:
Ultra-high Impact, Fire Rated, PVC/Acrylic Sheet
Impact resistance of 20 ft
lbs/in (1060 J/m) and other outstanding properties make Boltaron 4332
the ultimate Acrylic/PVC alloy for your most demanding applications
Boltaron 4332 sheet is a proprietary, fire retardant,
PVC/Acrylic alloy that offers outstanding physical properties, making it
the ideal material from which to thermoform and fabricate parts
subjected to high impact, abrasion, harsh chemicals and/or temperature
extremes.
With an Izod impact rating of 20 ft lbs/in (1060 J/m)
Boltaron 4332 is among the most impact resistant PVC/Acrylic alloys ever
produced.
It is also exhibits extreme resistance to heat
deformation and cold weather cracking, and is highly resistant to
caustic and acidic chemicals spanning the entire pH range, in addition
to offering greater abrasion resistance than stainless steel.
At the same time, Boltaron 4332 is non-hygroscopic,
eliminating the time and cost associated with pre-drying other
thermoplastics, and is readily thermoformed, yielding uniform wall
thickness in deep recesses and on sharp outside corners.
It is also readily sawn, drilled, tapped, routed and
otherwise machined using conventional tools, and can be brake formed
(thinner gauges), heat welded, adhesive bonded and mechanically
fastened, allowing rapid fabrication of a broad range of high-integrity
parts and assemblies.
Easy to use but difficult to damage, Boltaron 4332
eliminates the compromise associated with lesser PVC/acrylic alloys, FR
ABS, and other fire rated thermoplastics, meeting and exceeding the most
demanding requirements of fomers, fabricators and OEMs alike.
FEATURES
- Izod Impact resistance of 20 ft lbs/in (1060 J/m)
- UL 94 V-0 fire rating
- Free of pits, voids, inclusions
- Unlimited custom colors
- Extreme formability with uniform wall thicknesses
|
- Extreme chemical and abrasion resistance
- Readily machined using conventional tools
- Can be heat welded, adhesive bonded, mechanically fastened
|
PROPERTIES/RATINGS
| PROPERTY |
TEST METHOD |
TYPICAL VALUES |
| Specific Gravity |
ASTM D-792 |
1.35 |
| Tensile Strength (PSI) |
ASTM D-638 |
5,700 |
| Flexural Strength (PSI) |
ASTM D-790 |
8,700 |
| Flexural Modulus (PSI) |
ASTM D-790 |
3.08 x 105 |
| Izod Impact (Ft. lbs./in. of notch) |
ASTM D-256 |
20 |
| Hardness Rockwell R |
ASTM D-785 |
106 |
| Heat Deflection(°F) 264 PSI (annealed) |
ASTM D-648 |
167.5 |
Flammability
FAA |
FAR 25.853 A1, (i)
(60 sec.)
FAR 25.853 A1, (ii)
(12 sec.) |
PASS
PASS |
| UL |
UL-94
UL-94 |
V-0, 5VA1
V-0, 5VB2 |
| Forming Temperature (°F) |
|
335-385 |
1 Values based on minimum thickness of .125", UL File # E54688
2 Values based on minimum thickness of .040", UL File # E54688
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