HYTAC® Plug Assist Materials

Working directly with thermoformers, tool & mold makers and machine builders, CMT Materials has developed a family of products that allow our customers to utilize the right material for their specific part and sheet application. The proper plug material may lead to improved material distribution, elimination of mark-off and chill lines, elimination of thin areas, faster cycle times, better part clarity, improvements in haze and gloss, better part strength and less material and energy usage. Our HYTAC products are available in rod, sheet and block, in a wide variety of sizes. A large inventory of product on-hand normally means shipment on the day of order.

• HYTAC-W (pdf)
  350°F Epoxy Syntactic
  The industry standard white syntactic. Provides low thermal conductivity and specific heat. Works well with easy to form polymer sheet such as PVC, PS and some PE applications. Performs best for shallow and medium draw applications and for low to medium volume products.
  
  
• HYTAC-B1X (pdf)
  Engineered 350°F Thermoplastic Syntactic Foam
  This light blue thermoplastic syntactic is considered by many to be the best plug material available. It provides the low heat transfer properties of syntactics needed in an excellent plug material while having greatly improved toughness, machinability and forming characteristics. Plug assists with fine detail can be easily machined from HYTAC-B1X and have excellent reliability in today's manufacturing environment. Excellent performance is achieved with most polymers and especially PP, APET, PET and PLA. HYTAC-B1X is also FDA compliant for food packaging applications.
  
  
• HYTAC-WF (pdf)
  High Strength, High Clarity, 450°F Epoxy Syntactic
  Developed as the second generation of epoxy syntactic, this material has three times the strength of standard syntactic and finds use in areas where plug breakage is a problem. The microstructure has been designed to provide smooth surface plugs, that may be polished to a beautiful finish. Works extremely well with APET, CPET and polyolefins.
  
  
• HYTAC-WFT (pdf)
  425°F Ultra-Smooth Epoxy Syntactic with Teflon® for Improved Slip.
  This product incorporates Teflon directly into its syntactic structure for continuous improved slip. This light green material is the third generation of the epxoy based plug products and was specifically developed for applications where plug sticking material transfer to the plug from the sheet and discoloration and degradation of the plug surface are a problem. HYTAC-WFT is the first syntactic plug material gaining FDA food compliance and EEC Food Contact acceptance for food packaging applications. Applications include PS, PE, HDPE, barrier and multilayer materials.
  
  
• HYTAC-FLX (pdf)
  The newest and most exciting addition to CMT's HYTAC family of high performance syntactic materials. This thermoset copolymer syntactic is quite unique, providing the toughness and flexibility of a thermoplastic, with the thermal stability of a thermoset. It also offers the added machining benefit of little or no dust and minimal wear on tools. Further, this tough syntactic may be easily polished to a smooth surface for better part finish.
  
  
• HYTAC-B (pdf)
  Engineered Polymer with Excellent Heat Resistance
  A solid polymer, used mainly in shallow draw applications where sheet distribution is not critical.
  
  
• HYTAC-C (pdf)
  One Component Castable Epoxy Syntactic
  For customers who would like to form their own plugs, this liquid syntactic may be poured into a mold or cavity and heat cured.
  
  
• HYTAC-LP (pdf)
  Specially Formulated Epoxy Syntactic for Large Plug Applications
  When forming very large plugs, this system is used in place of the conventional process of bonding blocks or sheets. This unique approach eliminates problems associated with bonding markoff, exotherm cracking, shrinkage and mismatch materials. Most customers see a significant cost and weight reduction when compared to bonding techniques.

HYTAC® Plug Assist Stock List

• HYTAC-W (pdf)
  350°F Epoxy Syntactic
• HYTAC-BIX (pdf)
  Engineered 350°F Thermoplastic Syntactic Foam
• HYTAC-WF (pdf)
  High Strength, High Clarity, 450°F Epoxy Syntactic
• HYTAC-WFT (pdf)
  425°F Smooth Epoxy Syntactic with Teflon® for Improved Slip
• HYTAC-FLX (pdf)
  New! Tough, Flexible Epoxy Copolymer Syntactic
• HYTAC-B (pdf)
  Engineered Polymer with Excellent Heat Resistance