Elastomers Chemical Compatibility Chart, a New Resource
Materials December 8, 2016The new ISM Elastomers Chemical Compatibility Chart is now available as a downloadable PDF
Introduction
Product development and routine maintenance require choosing and sourcing parts. Knowing the right questions to ask helps ensure the correct part is ordered. Our new Elastomers Chemical Compatibility Chart is another in a series of ISM technical resources that help make component selection faster and ...
Elastomers and Rubbers - Is There a Difference?
Materials December 5, 2016Elastomers and rubbers are handy because of their unique material properties
Rubber and elastomer are words commonly used to mean any material with rubber-like properties. Elastomer is shorthand for elastic polymer. Elastomers are viscoelastic: sticky, very elastic polymers (plastics). Natural rubber is an elastomer made from latex, a milky tree sap. Synthetic elastomers are made from petroleum. Rubber is frequently used to indicate elastomers that must be vulcanized or cured to be useful ...
Mesh vs Micron
Inline Filters November 28, 2016To start, mesh number, mesh size and micron size can be likened to the imperial system of measurement as it’s compared to the metric system. They measure similar things but have more to do with application or professional preference.
Tapered Pipe Threads and Fittings: Making the Connection
Miscellaneous October 24, 2016Ensuring a gas or liquid-tight connection means understanding tapered pipe threads
NPT, National Pipe Taper (American) and BSPT (British standard Pipe Taper) are tapered pipe thread standards. Male and female tapered pipe threads wedge themselves together but need a sealant for a completely leak-free connection. Sealants fill any voids between the threads that could travel along the thread spiral.
Tube and pipe are not the same thing
Tube and pipe are hollow structures designed to provide a path for the flow of fluids or ...
Medical Chemical Compatibility Chart, an ISM Resource
Materials July 25, 2016Get a copy of the new IS Med Specialties Medical Chemical Compatibility Chart
Introduction
There are choices to make when developing a prototype or sourcing parts for a project. Knowing the right questions to ask ensures the correct part is ordered. Chemical compatibility is especially important for medical flow control components. Our new Medical Chemical Compatibility Chart can help ...
Inline Filters for Miniature Flow Control Component Protection
Inline Filters February 17, 2016Many systems use in-line filters in combination with check valves or precision orifices for enhanced performance
Introduction
Miniature flow-control components such as in-line filters are usually installed in air, gas, vacuum and fluid flow systems to perform very specific functions related to flow control. It is frequently useful to pair critical components in complimentary combinations. Although the function of inline filters is often ...
Barb Connectors in Depth – Design and Function
Hose Barb Connectors January 12, 2016An introduction to barb connectors
Barb connectors, frequently called hose barb, or hose barbed connections, are one of the most common flow control components because of convenience, reliability, performance and excellent value. Uses range from garden hose adapters to biopharmaceutical process system connections. Despite their widespread use the how and why of barb design and the resulting range of functions and technical effects are not always well understood. This blog post looks at the design of barb connectors in some detail. It focuses on barb connector functions, how barb design affects performance and includes some tips for ...
Precision Orifices (Flow Restrictors) for Flow Control
Precision Orifices January 8, 2016Miniature precision orifices are widely used in flow control applications
Why use orifices or flow restrictors?
Precision orifices (flow restrictors) are highly adaptable, low cost and widely used components for controlling liquid, gas and air flow rates. They are vital for air and gas flow control. Because of this, it is important to have a general understanding of orifice design, function and selection. This post is an overview of miniature precision orifice features and materials plus some specific reasons for ...
Spring Loaded Check Valves – Check Valves Part III
Check Valves October 28, 2015Spring loaded check valves are also commonly used
The first post in this series described check valves as valves that allow liquid or gas flow in only one direction. Like plastic diaphragm check valves, spring loaded check valves prevent reverse flow. Miniature in-line spring loaded check valves have particular qualities that make them appropriate in some air, gas and fluid flow control applications. In this post, I will review some basics of ...
The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado
Cause Marketing September 29, 2015The Wild Animal Sanctuary provides rescued large carnivores with lifetime homes
In this post, ISM wants to recognize a nearby not-for-profit organization for its extraordinary accomplishments. The Wild Animal Sanctuary just 30 miles northeast of Denver, houses more than 350 exotic animals, most of whom are able to live out their lives in large acreage habitats. This mix of rescued wildlife has been fortunate to find homes in one of the largest and most successful of the dozen or so non-profit wildlife refuges around the country that cater primarily to large carnivores. It has been around since 1980 ...
