Brush Fill Material

• Fill Material Terminology
• Synthetic Filaments
• Abrasive Nylon Filaments
• Natural Filaments
• Wire Materials

Fill Material Terminology

Our industrial brushes are supplied with synthetic, abrasive nylon, natural and wire bristles. The bristles are the working action of the brush and deserve plenty of attention in designing your industrial brush tool. Bristle characteristics vary for each type of material. Bristles may be stiff or soft, thick or thin, repel or absorb water, chemical and/or heat resistant, flexible to a greater or lesser extent, and resistant to bending or abrasion. Another factor determining bristle selection is the purpose the brush serves during use in the application. Bristles perform varying functions such as cleaning, sealing, guiding, applying pressure, wiping, cutting, abrading or polishing.

Other factors include brush density and length of bristle. Brush density appearance can be affected by the bristle being made with a crimp or level (straight) illustrated below. Crimped material has a wave in the bristle and provides a denser brush appearance. It produces a continuous and more even brushing action. Crimp is measured by amplitude, depth of the crimp, and frequency, number of crimps per inch. Level or straight bristles provide a lesser brush density appearance. The bristle length or trim is the exposed view and working strength of the brush. The surface of the bristles is uniform and flat. Tanis Incorporated technical sales and engineering staff will provide assistance with your bristle selection.

Synthetic Filaments

Nylon
Filament offers a combination of excellent bend recovery, abrasion resistance and chemical resistance. All nylons absorb water in wet conditions reducing the filament stiffness. Nylon has the highest heat deflection temperature, but is prone to oxidation embrittlement with long exposures to high temperatures. Nylon filaments are made with different characteristics, available in crimped or level (straight) fibers, several filament diameters, and colors. Nylon filaments range from .003” to .090” diameters.

Nylon 6 is a quality filament and provides durability at a lower cost for several applications. Wet conditions reduce stiffness by 80%.

Nylon 6.6 is a high quality nylon filament that has improved wet and dry stiffness compared to Nylon 6. It has excellent bend recovery and abrasion resistance. Heat stabilizer additive makes filament less prone to oxidation.

Nylon 6.12 is a superior grade, high quality nylon filament. This nylon offers excellent bend recovery and abrasion resistance. Low moisture absorption makes it an excellent filament choice for wet applications. Filament can be made in an “X” shape with high performance and excellent wear characteristics.

Quill is a hollow 6.12 filament. The filament is used in a variety of applications and commonly used in paint brushes and tape dispenser brushes.

Anti-Static Nylon filaments are able to dissipate an electric charge. Anti-static nylon eliminates the problems generated by static electricity in many applications by providing a rapid dissipation of static charge. Past conductive nylon materials had to be grounded in order to dissipate charges whereas antistatic materials inhibit the generation of static charges.

Polypropylene is a top quality and versatile filament for a wide variety of applications. It has excellent wet stiffness and flex fatigue resistance. Inert to most solvents, oils and chemicals and is especially good at resisting strong acids and bases. Good bend recovery, but susceptible to taking a set more easily than other synthetic materials.

Polypropylene has limited natural sunlight resistance which is greatly improved with a black colored filament. It can be made with different characteristics to improve solvent resistance and dry applications. It can be made in a triangular or “X” shape and made flagged or unflagged for improved surface contact and liquid retention. Polypropylene filaments are made with crimped or level (straight) fibers, several filament diameters, and colors. Polypropylene is available in .006” to .060” filament diameters. Shaped polypropylene is available in larger sizes.

Polyester is an economical substitute for nylon 6.6 or 6.12 in many applications. Improved abrasion resistance compared to polypropylene, but not as good as nylon. Excellent bend recovery, solvent resistant and oxidation resistance at high temperatures.   It has good resistance to sunlight. Properties in a wet or dry application do not change significantly because it does not absorb much water. It is an ideal filament for many wet applications. Heat stabilizer additive makes filament less prone to oxidation. Polyester can be made in a “X” shape for improved liquid retention. Polyester filaments are made with crimped or level (straight) fibers, several filament diameters, and colors. Polyester filaments range from .006” to .075” diameters.

PTFE is filament made with Teflon® material. This filament is inert to most chemicals and is excellent material for high temperature applications for continuous use limit at 500°F. PTFE is available in .008”, .011”, .016” and .035” filament diameters.

Abrasive Nylon Filaments

An abrasive filament that combines nylon and abrasive grit in a special formulation to deliver strength, stiffness even when wet, durability and chemical resistance. The abrasive grit is uniformly dispersed throughout the filament. Unique filament because the sharp cutting edges of grit can be held firmly against any surface no matter what its shape. As the brush moves against the surface, the cutting edges of the grit make good contact because the flexible filaments bend at various angles to fit the surface contour. Abrasive filaments are aggressive on the sides as well as the tips.

Abrasive filament is most often made with nylon 6.12 for use in wet or dry applications. Nylon 6 or Nylon 6.6 is suitable for dry applications and be treated against thermal degradation. Filaments are available in a broad combination of grit sizes (600 grit to 46 grit), loading and diameters (.012” to .060”). Grit loadings range from 20% by weight of grit to 40%. Abrasive filaments are impregnated with silicon carbide or aluminum oxide. Silicate is a fine abrasive filament with a .008” diameter and 1000 grit for micro-finishes.

Silicate is a fine grade abrasive filament for fine finishing and cleaning. It is available in .008” diameter and 1000 grit for micro-finishes used most commonly in miniature twisted-in-wire brushes.

Aluminum Oxide is more impact resistant compared to silicon carbide and is less likely to fracture and is preferred for finishing soft metals or other materials where a smooth finish is required. Aluminum oxide is generally available from 600 to 80 grit and diameter ranges from .012” to .040”.

Natural Filaments

All natural fibers are dependable substitutions for applications where synthetic filaments are not suited. “Mother Nature” provides a wide variety of natural fibers such as horsehair, goat hair, tampico and bristle (boar or hog hair) for industrial applications. Artist brushes use natural fibers including bristle, ox hair, sable, and camel hair.

Horsehair is produced from the mane or tail hair and each provide a different stiffness and texture. It is best known for its ability to polish without being abrasive while cleaning the surface. This natural fiber is excellent for picking up dust and fine powders. Horsehair can be mixed with other natural fiber, synthetic and wire materials for specific customer applications. Horsehair colors include brown, black, mixed grey, silver grey and white.

Goat Hair is a very fine, soft natural fiber either black or white in color. It is used for very short trim soft brushes. Goat hair has a blunt tip, but retains large volume of fluid.

Tampico is a natural fiber produced from the Agave plant in Mexico. It has exceptional water retention characteristics, excellent biodegradability, superior heat and chemical resistance. Soft to medium texture and will soften when it absorbs water. It is able to withstand high temperatures without melting, but will discolor.

Bristle is a natural fiber with very thick butts and split ends used primarily in brush applications to carry liquids. Bristle is also referred to as hog, pig or boar hair. Bristle is used mainly in paint and artist brushes and twisted-in-wire brushes. It maintains shape and stiffness in use over a long period of time. Bristle comes in gray, black or white (natural) colors.

Wire Materials

Steel is a heat-treated, high-tensile strength wire with excellent fatigue resistance and brushing action. Brushes with a wire diameter from .008” and above use high-carbon wire. Brushes with a wire diameter from .003” to .006” use hard drawn wire for fine surface work. Available in .003” to .020” wire diameters.

Stainless Steel Type 302 and Type 304 are the two types of stainless steel most commonly used in brushes. Type 302 is nonmagnetic, extremely tough, ductile and excellent for corrosion resistance. Type 304 the most widely used stainless steel and is similar to type 302. Type 302 and Type 304 become slightly magnetic when cold worked and have excellent fabrication and welding characteristics. Recommended where contamination or “after rust” is a problem such as brushing stainless steel and non-ferrous metals. Available in .003” to .020” wire diameters.

Stainless Steel Type 316 maintains a higher tensile strength at elevated temperatures. It also offers superior corrosion resistance in chlorides and many other environments than Type 304. Best choice for highly contaminated applications. Available in .003” to .020” wire diameters.

Brass is a non-ferrous and softer wire compared to steel and stainless steel. It has a high conductivity effective for reducing heavy static in a concentrated area. Brass is corrosion resistant and an excellent choice for cleaning scratch susceptible surfaces. Available in .003” to .020” wire diameters.

Phosphorous Bronze is a non-ferrous wire with excellent corrosion resistance, good fatigue life and high electrical conductivity for reducing static in a concentrated area. Bronze is used for better corrosion resistance and greater strength than brass. Available in .003” to .020” wire diameters.