The Hahl name has been associated with the development, manufacture and supply of filling materials for the brush industry for almost a century: much has changed since the first filaments were extruded more than 50 years ago. One constant remains – our reputation for the highest levels of quality, service and for our capability to satisfy the needs of our customers.
Our broad product range is used in the manufacture of all kinds of brushes and brushing tools, used in industry and in the home.
Our synthetic filament range incorporates
- PA 6, PA 6.6, PA 6.10, PA 6.12, PA 12
- Polyester PBT, PET
- PP, LDPE
- PPS, PEEK
We operate an extensive standard stock programme covering a diameter range from 0,075mm (.003”) to 2,50mm (.098”) spanning over 100 items which are available in minimum quantities of one box and which can be ordered and shipped at short notice.
Our SBF range is manufactured in 3 locations on 2 continents using own-engineered technology and supplied direct as well through a global sales network with local distribution.
Technical Brushes
Brushes are used in hundreds of different applications to serve all kinds of purpose. It is therefore impossible to list these or to make a general recommendation for all applications. Technical brushes made in the form of a strip, flexible and coiled strip, disc, round, roller or twisted in wire are used to wash, treat surfaces, insulate, remove static, convey material and fulfill a multitude of functions either in or in conjunction with other machinery. End applications are found in food, textile, street cleaning, steel, woodworking, glass wash and construction industries, to name but a few.
Synthetic filaments are in the main, Engineering Polymers and have a wide range of attributes to deliver the performance each application requires.
We pride ourselves on our technical knowledge and experience in our field and are always happy to offer customers our support in helping them chose the right product.
WHAT FACTORS DETERMINE THE RIGHT CHOICE OF FILAMENT?
Softness/Stiffness – from soft touch to high stiffness
Our diameter capabilities range from 0,075mm (.003”) to 3,00mm (.118”)
Filament profile – for weight saving or better flow of liquid on wet applications
Round, oval, x-shape, star shape, flagged
Crimped filaments – crimping aids the creation of a closed surface on a roller brush or helps save material weight by filling out a brush
Our technology enable us to crimp even the finest of diameters. Information on our crimp capabilities is available on request
Wet or dry?
All polymers have different levels of moisture absorption. Some absorb no moisture and therefore can be used in both wet and dry applications without any change in properties.
PA 6 absorbs up to 10% moisture at saturation and will becoming softer over time when used in wet applications.
Chemical resistance
In cleaning and degreasing processes chemicals are often used. Depending on their concentration, chemicals will degrade all plastics over time, leading to loss of mechanical properties and eventually to filament breakage.
The general rule of thumb is that for pH values from 1-6 (acidic) Polyester is best suited and PA is not recommended. For pH values from 7-14 (alkaline) Polyamide (PA) is best suited and Polyester is not recommended.
Our Bilon® product, used in the cleaning of flat steel offers unbeatable resistance to strong alkaline solutions.
Polymers such as PP, PPS and PEEK are generally resistant to all chemicals.
It is highly recommended that customers test suitability for use. Further information is available on request.
Mechanical and wear properties
A brush filament will invariably be required to flex when in use. This subjects the filament to mechanical stress and requires a certain level of bend recovery. Filaments are also required to have resistance to wear to ensure the longest possible lifetime in an application.
Temperature resistance (high and low)
Most Engineering Polymers have a maximum recommended continuous working temperature of 80-100°C (176°F – 212°C). PP is the exception with a maximum recommended continuous working temperature of 60°C (140°F). Above these temperatures, filaments will tend to become softer, lose their mechanical properties and can cause smearing on any surface being treated.
Minimum continuous working temperature is generally around -30°C, but is closely linked to the moisture absorption rate of the polymer. The higher the level of moisture absorption, the easier it will lose its functionality at low temperatures.
We offer an extensive range of high temperature resistant products in addition to our range of traditional polymers.
Food contact applications
The vast majority of our range conforms to EC directive 1935/2004 and EC10/2011, and in certain cases FDA CFR §170-199 enabling customers to carry out migration testing on their products for food contact applications.
Special properties
Our experience in polymer processing has enabled us to develop a range of high tech polymers which are designed to meet the most demanding of end applications.
We use functional additives and special raw materials to manufacture products with flame retardant properties, anti-static and conductive properties, metal detectability, UV stability, anti-microbial protection and increased chemical resistance.
Food Hygiene Brushes
The days of using any old brush to clean areas where foodstuffs are manufactured or served are long gone. Together with market leading brush manufacturers, we have been active in producing and developing filaments for the food industry from the very beginning.
The main polymer of choice for hand held brushes and brooms remains Polyester PBT, which offers excellent wet and dry stiffness, autoclavability and colour fastness required for the production of these professional hygiene brushes.
Through the careful selection of only the highest quality raw materials and good manufacturing practice, our products conform to the ever increasing list of regulations concerning the use of plastic articles with food, and we fulfill the requirements of EC directive 1935/2004 and in many cases, FDA CFR §170-199.
Material certification to enable customers to carry out migration testing is available on request.
We also offer metal detectable and anti-microbial treated filaments for added food processing safety.
Hairbrushes
Tight diameter control and thermal stability are a prerequisite for filaments used in the manufacture of hairbrushes. Our PA and Polyester filaments are used in many branded hairbrushes throughout the world. In addition to standard polymers, our high temperature range and anti-static PA can be used for higher-end applications.
Household brooms and brushes
For the production of household brooms we offer several product options, fulfilling high quality criteria, as well as economy.
Our long established brand Polymex®, developed to replace PVC as an environmentally friendlier alternative, is produced from 100% recycled Polyester PET generated in our in-house recycling facility Recytec. The Recytec process ensures that our Polymex® filaments are manufactured from materials with a consistent viscosity, and therefore guaranteeing the stiffness and diameter control through each batch to process this filament through high speed tufting machinery.
As an alternative to natural fibre, which can often be scarce in supply and can vary in quality, our Union Mixture offers customers an easy-to-process option.
This mixture of 7 different components, in crimped and level, different diameters and polymers creates a high quality broom for indoor and outdoor use, which will collect fine dirt particles as well as being durable enough to remove larger waste.
For the production of dish brushes customers need to make a choice between quality and economy. Our in-house developed product Duramid fulfills both these criteria – offering the bend recovery and durability of PA and through the use of special additives a reduction in filament density. Our standard range of Polyester PBT and PA 66 products are also an industry staple for this application.
ANDREW MCILROY
Global Head of Business Segment Technical Brush Filaments (TBF)