Custom Molding with Thermoset Plastics at Work: Military Industry Edition

If you’ve had a chance to read about how helpful thermoset plastic molding applications are to the agriculture, chemical manufacturing, and heavy machinery industries, you’re probably aware that engineered plastics can meet all kinds of complicated equipment needs. The U.S. military is aware as well, and Osborne is proud to provide several specialized plastic products to our armed forces.

Defense-ready products are often referred to as “military grade,” meaning they can be counted on to be of the highest quality and reliability. When products are competing at a global scale, precision, durability, and innovation are essential. The military relies on plastic molding with thermosets to:

• create equipment parts and casings
• safely store materials
• protect supplies and equipment

How Does Osborne Serve the Military Industry?

Osborne’s custom molding capabilities and ISO-certified quality control measures allow us to check all of those global competition boxes. With nearly 50 years of experience, we understand the minutiae of plastic molding materials and methods.

For each product we make, expert chemists develop the plastic formulation or composite that will provide the client’s desired level of hardness, flame resistance, corrosion resistance, impact resistance, and abrasion resistance. We have the capabilities to create two-piece, closed composite molds that provide better product quality than open molds. Our selection of molding processes — resin transfer molding (RTM), reaction injection molding (RIM), or RIM with polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD) — offer the capacity to further customize the final product.

Military Industry Applications

The following are examples of two parts we supply to our armed forces:

Light-Armor Battery/Ballistics Cases

• Material: FRP composite, which provides high-strength glass reinforcement and flame-resistance.
• Process: RTM, which allows for the ability to build the cases to the military’s exact specifications.

Military Truck Fender

• Material: Hybrid polyurethane, which is custom formulated for all-weather impact resistance.
• Process: RIM, which creates a product that meets or exceeds all military requirements.
• Additional service: A five-axis CNC router is used to achieve a precise fit.

What Can We Do for You?

Do you have a complicated equipment need that requires a customized approach? Give us a call at 1-800-255-0316 or fill out our online form to discuss your project with a qualified Osborne specialist.

This is part of a series about thermoset plastic applications in various industries. Learn how custom plastic molding benefits the heavy machinery, agriculture and chemical manufacturing industries as well.