TYPE OF BRISTLE
Types of Bristle Materials
We propose the most suitable material, diameter and height of bristles for each application by utilizing our knowledge as a specialized manufacturer.
The bristle material is an element directly related to the effectiveness and functions of the brush.
It has various characteristics in terms of operating temperature, durability, chemical resistance and static electricity elimination.
Based on its knowledge and experience with materials, SHOWA INDUSTRIES offers the specifications for the brush most suitable for the application and usage conditions, including the bristle material, core wire diameter, bristle height and abrasive grain type.
Synthetic fibers
Nylon
- Nylon 6, 6.6, 6.10, 6.12 / Diameter Φ0.05 to Φ2.2 (mm)
- Among synthetic fibers, nylon is the most durable fiber with excellent abrasion resistance, elasticity and flexibility. The maximum operating temperature is 100°C to 120°C.
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Alkali ◎ Concentrated hydrochloric acid/concentrated nitric acid ✕ Concentrated formic acid ✕ General solvents ◎ Phenols ✕ Glacial acetic acid △Swelling -
- Washing/cleaning
- Shielding/blocking
- Cushioning
- Coating
- Precision washing
Polypropylene
- PP / Diameter Φ0.07 to Φ3 (mm)
- Polypropylene is stiffer than nylon and has firmness. Although it has excellent flexion recovery and elasticity, the tip may tear vertically if used for a long time. The maximum operating temperature is 80°C.
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Alkali ◎ General solvents ◎ Acid ◎ -
- Washing/cleaning
Polyester
- PET, PBT / Diameter Φ0.075 to Φ3.5 (mm)
- Polyester is stiffer and more abrasion resistant than polypropylene. The maximum operating temperature is 140°C.
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Concentrated hydrochloric acid/sulfuric acid/nitric acid ◎ 10% caustic soda ◯ 28% ammonia solution ◯ -
- Washing/cleaning
- Mud removal
SF nylon
- Nylon + multi-filament / Diameter Φ0.3, Φ0.5 (mm)
- SF nylon is a filament in which the outer circumference of the core material (nylon) is coated with a covering material (8 or more bundles of ultra-fine nylon multi-filaments). It is a brush bristle material with high rigidity and good penetration of cleaning solution.
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- Washing/cleaning
Multi-nylon
- Nylon 6 / Diameter Φ0.02, Φ0.06 (mm)
- Multi-nylon is a filament made by twisting several ultra-fine nylon filaments and has a delicate cleaning ability.
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- Precision washing
Bristle material containing abrasive grains
- Base material + abrasive grains / Diameter Φ0.2 to Φ2.5 (mm)
- It is a filament with abrasive grains mixed in the base material.
[Base materials] Nylon, polyester, conex
[Abrasive grain] Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), silicon carbide (SiC), diamond -
- Polishing/grinding
- Deburring
- Mill scale removal
- Precision washing
SF grit
- Bristle material containing abrasive grains + multi-filament
- SF grit is a filament in which the outer circumference of the core material (bristle material containing abrasive grains) is coated with a covering material (8 or more bundles of ultra-fine nylon multi-filaments).
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- Polishing/grinding
- Deburring
- Mill scale removal
Aramid fiber
- Connex / Diameter Φ0.2, Φ0.24, Φ0.35 (mm)
- The maximum operating temperature is 250°C. It is a long heat-resistant fiber with great resilience and firmness and excellent abrasion resistance. This material generates less static electricity and adheres less dirt.
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10% caustic soda ◯ 40% sulfuric acid ◯ -
- Heat resistant
Fluorine fiber
- PFA / Diameter Φ0.1 (mm)
- Fluorine fiber is a nonflammable, nontoxic material with a low coefficient of friction that is excellent in non-adhesiveness. With a maximum operating temperature of 260°C, its characteristics do not change over a wide temperature range, and it has significant chemical resistance.
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- Heat resistant
- Chemical resistant
High-performance resin
- PPS / Diameter Φ0.15, Φ0.3, Φ0.5 (mm)
- The maximum operating temperature is 240°C. It has significantly high heat resistance and mechanical strength and can be used for a long time even in high temperatures of 150°C or higher.
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Strong acid ✕ -
- Heat resistant
- Chemical resistant
Conductive fiber (1)
- ELE-BYE / Diameter Φ0.15, Φ0.2, Φ0.3, Φ0.5 (mm)
- This special material named ELE-BYE is a conductive fiber made of nylon evenly coated with carbon through a special process, and it is highly effective in eliminating static electricity and dust.
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- Antistatic effect
Conductive fiber (2)
- Thunderon / Diameter Φ0.07 (mm)
- The Thunderon is a conductive fiber made of acrylic mixed with copper sulfide and is effective in eliminating static electricity and dust.
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- Antistatic effect
Conductive fiber (3)
- Mono Eight / Diameter Φ0.15, Φ0.3 (mm)
- The Mono Eight is a fiber made primarily of nylon 6.6. Due to the large amount of conductive carbon black used and the process of not breaking the carbon chain, its tensile strength is slightly lower than that of ordinary brush bristle materials.
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- Antistatic effect
Metal wires
Hard steel wire
- SW-A, SW-B, SW-C / Diameter Φ0.1 to Φ1.5 (mm)
- This steel wire is cold drawn to increase hardness and is widely used for industrial brushes. However, rust and metal fatigue will occur due to continuous use.
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- Polishing/grinding
- Deburring
- Mill scale removal
Plated steel wire
- Hard steel wire + brass, zinc / Diameter Φ0.15 to Φ0.5 (mm)
- Bristles made of hard steel wire plated (with brass or zinc) have excellent strength, outstanding abrasive and grinding power, and minimal cutting loss.
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- Polishing/grinding
- Deburring
- Mill scale removal
Plated stranded steel wire
- Hard steel wire + brass / Diameter Φ0.25, Φ0.3, Φ0.38 (mm)
- Plated steel stranded wire, which is firm and has excellent abrasive ability, is made by processing plated steel wires into several strands.
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- Polishing/grinding
- Deburring
- Mill scale removal
Wrapping wire
- Hard steel wire + brass / Diameter Φ0.175 (mm)
- Wrapping wire, which is the firmest of all metal wires and has excellent abrasive ability, is a thin plated steel wire wrapped around a plated stranded steel wire.
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- Polishing/grinding
- Deburring
- Mill scale removal
Piano wire
- SWP-A, SWP-B, SWP-V / Diameter Φ0.14 (mm)
- Piano wire is a material for high-grade springs that uses a base metal with fewer impurities than hard steel wire.
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- Polishing/grinding
- Deburring
- Mill scale removal
Stainless steel wire
- SUS304, SUS310, SUS316 / Diameter Φ0.024 to Φ1.2 (mm)
- Stainless steel wire is a bristle material that is resistant to acid, alkali and heat, does not rust as much as hard steel wire, and is less prone to breakage. SUS304 is slightly magnetic during the process of making brushes, but SUS316 is not.
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- Polishing/grinding
- Deburring
- Mill scale removal
Brass wire
- BS / Diameter Φ0.06 to Φ0.6 (mm)
- Brass wire is less firm and softer to the touch than hard steel wire or stainless steel wire. However, the bristle color may migrate to the objects.
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- Polishing/grinding
- Deburring
Phosphor bronze wire
- PB / Diameter Φ0.06 to Φ0.3 (mm)
- Phosphor bronze wire is a ternary alloy made by adding 3% to 9% tin to copper, the main component, and deoxidizing it with phosphorus. It is excellent in resilience, corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance.
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- Polishing/grinding
- Deburring
Animal fibers
Horsehair
- Main hair (tail hair), mane hair
- Horsehair is a flexible, elastic and static electricity-resistant material. It has better chemical resistance than synthetic fibers. Since it is a natural fiber, the thickness is not consistent.
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- Washing/cleaning
Pig hair
- It is characterized by flexibility, elasticity and firmness. Since it is a natural fiber, the length is limited.
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- Washing/cleaning
Goat hair
- Goat hair is less firm and softer to the touch than horsehair or pig hair.
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- Washing/cleaning
Plant fibers
Tampico (Paquin)
- Paquin is a fiber taken from the leaves of Tampico hemp. It is white and stiff. This material has high water absorptive capacity, has excellent cleaning and abrasive performance, and is suitable as a brush bristle material.
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Acid/alkali ✕ -
- Washing/cleaning
Fern
- Fern, a fiber obtained from petioles of palmyra palm, has high water absorbency and is stiff, making it suitable as a material of cleaning and washing brushes.
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- Washing/cleaning
Palm
- Palm, a fiber from coconut palms, provides excellent water absorbency and cleaning performance. It is soft and relatively elastic.
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Alkali ◯ -
- Washing/cleaning
Chusan palm
- Chusan palm is the most rot-resistant material among plant fibers. It is characterized by its elasticity. It is stiff, short and susceptible to friction.
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- Washing/cleaning