Case Studies: High-Density Composite Resins

Challenge:

Find a material that has the attributes of lead without the associated toxicity issues.

Solution:

Work with material suppliers to evaluate emerging high-density composite resins that are ideal substitutes for lead.

Advantages:

Some of the advantages/properties of these composite resins are as follows:

• High specific gravity: 2.0 to 11.0 (lead = 11)
• Environmentally friendly
• Excellent chemical resistance
• Excellent for weighting (inertial discs, ballasts, sinkers, projectiles)
• Radiation shielding properties equivalent to lead
• Non toxic classification
• Eliminate disposal issues
• More design capability than lead
• Can be injection molded