Manufacturing

Rigid PVC is a material that provides a good balance of stiffness, impact resistance, UV stability, and UL flame performance to products. It is most commonly used in the construction industry for profile extrusion applications such as Weatherseals, windows, doors, pipes and siding. Rigid PVC is a tough material used for many indoor and outdoor products and can be easily colored to match any application’s needs. Overall, it is a versatile commodity resin with a reasonable price point.

Similar to Rigid PVC, Flexible PVC has impact resistance and UV stability along with inherent flame performance, while its inclusion of plasticizer makes the PVC flexible. The PVC is typically used for Weatherseal application to create a seal or gasket, or to allow a product to be curved or bend easily. In the garage door industry it is often co-extruded with Rigid PVC to create bottom door astragals, window lineal seals, top seals and side seals around a door opening. Flexible PVC is also easily colored to match its required application, making it great for applications that prioritize aesthetics.

Polypropylene (PP) is a tough, rigid, and crystalline thermoplastic made from propylene monomer. This linear hydrocarbon resin is the lightest polymer among all commodity plastics. Polypropylene can also have modifiers added to improve its properties depending on what traits you need. We typically use an impact copolymer, which provides an extra high Izod impact along with superior low temperature drop impact resistance. Typical uses for windows and doors would be for performance improved astragal products and Weatherseal applications requiring very low temperature performance.

EPDM is a type of synthetic rubber that holds up in the outdoors and severe temperatures. It’s the most waterproof rubber and holds up in extreme temperatures from -50 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The rubber is also low maintenance and holds its shape over time.

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are a mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber), made of both thermoplastic and elastomeric materials. They typically have a broader physical range and longer lifespan compared to other materials. TPE’s stay stable when exposed to a wide temperature range and non-polar materials.

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) are part of the TPE family and the closest to EPDM rubber. Some of their best features are long-term durability/stability, the ability to be processed on standard thermoplastics processing equipment, a lower weight, being fully recyclable, and the ability to use coextrusion.

Fibrex is a blend of 40% wood fiber and 60% thermoplastic polymer that are both are partially reclaimed. The material blocks thermal transfer nearly 700 times better than aluminum to help reduce heating and cooling. Fibrex is typically used in the garage door industry for Carriage Door overlay products that adhere to the face of a steel door. By using this material, Action can closely match the thermal expansion properties of a metal surface, allowing for the parts to be glued and not pop off due to material expansion and contraction. We currently hold exclusive rights in the garage door market for utilization of Fibrex in our industry.

ASA is a co-polymer SAN resin reinforced with acrylic rubber. It has an excellent environmental resistance that is ideal for outdoor applications, great impact, and chemical resistance. ASA performs better than PVC when it comes to UV resistance and outdoor weatherability, too. It is easily colored and can be molded or extruded. As an engineered resin, it is a more expensive alternative to PVC. We use ASA for our exterior window frame products in extrusion and injection molding.