Different Shim Materials: Wood vs. Metal vs. Plastic

1. Different Shim Materials: Wood vs.  Metal vs. Plastic  There are different shim materials, each having its specific purpose. Some common shim materials include wood, plastic, and metal, which come with their advantages and shortcomings. Wood Shims  Wooden shims come with adequate friction as they have a rough finish to them. They are stable and don't slip, primarily when used to align or upgrade wooden building materials. The advantage is that engineers can glue them together to form thicker shims. The wood shims are mainly made of light, softwoods such as cedar and pine. They are best used to keep window frames and doors straight when fixing them in their roughed openings. The engineers can create the exact length needed for any application.

2. If they are exposed to water, stormy weather, or excess heat, they usually don't work fine as they absorb water, which can cause them to warp and rot. Also, as wood is flammable, it might catch a spark. Metal Shims  Metal shims are used in many industrial applications as they are high in strength. We need them in aligning product and packaging equipment and other automation. Some of the best features they have are - they are adaptable to their environment, they are corrosion resistant, have high-carbon steels that withstand high heat. The drawbacks are metal shims are challenging to cut and form, making them unsuitable for fine work. They lack plastic pliability, making them vulnerable to vibration, friction, and other forces that can move them out of alignment. Plastic Shims  Plastic shims are the most accomplished of the other common shim materials available. They are available in regular shapes, densities, and material properties and save much labor time. They are more robust and more durable than wood and light and more affordable than metal. Usually, the plastic shims are more costly than wood and cannot be welded like metal, making them the wrong fit as per the application's specifications. Final Take -​ We must understand a shim's role to choose the best material and form for an application. When used as substitute alignment aids, ensure that the ​custom shims​ meets the basic demands for size, durability, and ease of use. For lasting use & results, the shims are subject to more comprehensive specifications. A good Shims manufacturer can guide on size, thicknesses, and styles to arrange parts, level surfaces, fill gaps, and do other critical functions in various operations.

3. Contact details: The Shim Shack 10040 Cilley Road Cleves, OH 45002 Phone: 1 (877) 830-9876 Fax: 1(877) 839-9488 Email: ​sales@theshimshack.com Website:​​https://www.theshimshack.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theshimshack https://www.instagram.com/theshimshack/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/theshimshack/