The materials from which energy chains are manufactured must withstand a great deal: compressive load and tensile strain, abrasion resistance, excellent toughness, high modulus of elasticity, high stability at high and low temperatures, suitable for outdoor use. To ensure this, igus energy chains are made from the high-performance polymer igumid. Numerous application examples, from refrigerator blocks to steel mills, prove this.
igumid G - the base material for most applications
With the base material igumid G alone, most of the possible applications can be implemented. The cost-effective material fulfils even conflicting requirements. It can handle continuous temperatures ranging from -40°C to far above 100°C, allowing use in cold store or steel mills. Even applications in snow and ice run smoothly in practice.
Discover energy chains made with igumid G. igumid NB gives easy chain® energy chains the required flexibility
Comparable performance values apply to igumid NB, the standard material for all energy chains of the type [link url=" /e-chains/linear-movement?sort=3&inch=false&recomechainspre=2&echainsyst=1" title="easy chain®"].
The e-chains® in this series are extremely easy to fill. Pliant split crossbars allow cables to be pressed in easily by hand. That is why a material that combines the necessary flexibility and stability has been selected.
igumid TE
The igumid TE is used when still higher demands are placed on the permanent elasticity and flexibility of energy chain components. It is used, for e.g, in the connectors of the
E6 chains developed for extreme dynamics or in the exceptionally tear-resistant and flexible lids of the
zipper e-chains®.
igumid EG+ - withstands even aggressive chemicals
The newest member of the chain material family is igumid EG+. The material is characterised by extremely low total moisture absorption and therefore also has a very high resistance to chemicals. The igumid EG+ has been specifically developed for applications with aggressive chemicals, such as those used, for e.g. in
galvanisation or fertiliser production, and is used there both for energy supply chains and trough systems. Where expensive stainless steel was previously necessary as a trough material, igumid EG+ now offers a cost-effective alternative. The material can be recognised immediately because of its blue colour and can be used for most e-chain® series in a temperature range from 0°C to +100°C. It is free of halogen and silicone and RoHS-compliant.
igumid HT protects against red-hot swarf
If energy, signals and media need to be moved flexibly in machine tools, the use of e-tubes is ideal. Their closed design prevents swarf from getting inside them. Tubes made of the special
igumid HT material also ensure that swarf as hot as 850°C does not stick. All R2, R4, and RX series tubes are available in a heat-resistant HT version. Manufacturers of foundry machines and other metal processing plants thus have the opportunity to replace metal energy supply systems with more flexible and significantly lighter energy chains made of high-performance plastic.
igumid DT is magnetically detectable
The development of the plastic compound igumid DT was intended in particular for applications throughout food production. The basic material was modified so that a fragment of just 1mm can be detected by all commonly used detection systems. In this way, any splinters can be detected and automatically removed.
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igumid ESD: protection against electrostatic charges
ESD-compliant solutions and tools are used in many industries to protect sensitive electronic components from electrostatic discharges. This is especially important for moving parts such as energy supplies. The
igumid ESD gives the igus® product range a material that was designed specifically for this challenging application and that can discharge electrostatic charges immediately in a controlled manner. Unlike applied conductive surface coatings or volatile incorporated antistatic agents, the additives used offer long-lasting conductivity that makes maintenance unnecessary. The igumid ESD is also the perfect material for energy chains used in zones that are susceptible to gas or dust explosion and thus in explosion risk areas. Such work environments occur primarily in the chemicals industry, but also wherever there are filling processes for powdery or dusty goods. The igumid ESD's ability to discharge static charges can mean the elimination of potential ignition sources in environments that are susceptible to explosion in such applications. The plastic, tested with over 10 million cycles, even exceeds the standard igumid G material in some mechanical requirements.
igumid XXL is meant for large unsupported lengths and higher fill weights
Up to seven metres of unsupported length, without guide troughs and supports: this requirement for the optimal e-chain® solution can be met with the igumid XXL material. Alternatively, greater fill weights can be achieved with the same unsupported length. This also saves installation time and cost, since gliding applications generally require longer chains, additional guide troughs, and more installation space. The material is used primarily in applications involving handling and conveyor systems, construction and other heavy machinery, and large robots.
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The following list provides detailed information about the resistance of igus' igumid G, NB, and TE materials to many chemical substances. The values specified are values determined by laboratory tests and are material-specific. All specifications apply to black energy chains. If your chemical is not listed, contact us. We will be happy to carry out a test upon request.
