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what is vaolx?
- Thread starter ballsagne
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2004
- Messages
- 3,536
You mean alox, by any chance? That's the handle material used on a lot of Swiss Army knives- it's solid aluminum, highly durable.
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2006
- Messages
- 44,127
Valox is a the trade name for a family of thermoplastic polyester polymers originally developed by General Electric. GE sold its plastics division to a Saudi company, SABIC, in 2007, so now this is a SABIC material.
The general properties associated with any of the VALOX polymers include good heat resistance, good solvent resistance and good toughness. The exact properties will vary by specific grade. They also have excellent surface appearance. (That means they mold well and come out of the mold cleanly so they look shiny and have no pits or surface porosity. There are grades available that have chopped glass fiber mixed in, making those grades similar in performance to FRN.
If I had to guess at the properties without consulting specific data sheets, I would guess that it is less expensive to process than Nylon, might be a tad tougher than Nylon but maybe less strong.
The general properties associated with any of the VALOX polymers include good heat resistance, good solvent resistance and good toughness. The exact properties will vary by specific grade. They also have excellent surface appearance. (That means they mold well and come out of the mold cleanly so they look shiny and have no pits or surface porosity. There are grades available that have chopped glass fiber mixed in, making those grades similar in performance to FRN.
If I had to guess at the properties without consulting specific data sheets, I would guess that it is less expensive to process than Nylon, might be a tad tougher than Nylon but maybe less strong.
In my experience the Valox Buck used was stiff, which is a desireable property in grips. That may have been due to it's extreme thickness in the application - Valox handled Bucks were bricks best carried in pouches.
As a substitute for FRN, it's apparently just that, and implies all the pro's and con's that accountants dearly love in production. Inexpensive, molded to shape, few finishing operations, low labor costs, and a low retail. Just what Ginsu would do if they made folders.
As a substitute for FRN, it's apparently just that, and implies all the pro's and con's that accountants dearly love in production. Inexpensive, molded to shape, few finishing operations, low labor costs, and a low retail. Just what Ginsu would do if they made folders.
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2005
- Messages
- 5,171
The mini hardtail (Harley Davidson) with valox handle has a roughish texture.
Not too bad with wet hands, IMO, and I have dealt with smoother handles.
Not too bad with wet hands, IMO, and I have dealt with smoother handles.
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2006
- Messages
- 44,127
It can be. It depends on how it is processed.