At Stephen’s Gaskets we have more than 70 years experience of manufacturing many types of shims for a broad range of customers. The shim material that is chosen completely depends on the application.
What Is A Shim?
A shim is a washer or spacer, fitting between two moving machine components. This stops the wear and tear of machinery in a workshop or on the factory floor. As a result, these shims – copper shims, steel shims, brass shims, plastic shims – help to keep components healthy, which in turn keeps the business healthy, cutting down on maintenance and parts costs. We even manufacture shim in a can.
The best way to understand how the different types of shims work is to look at the shims themselves. Here are a few examples:
Types Of Shims
Brass Shims
As a metal, brass is often used by customers because it has a high resistance to the layers of corrosion that occur on machines. So these types of shims are excellent materials for finishing, plating, polishing and joining.
Brass shims are extremely easy to make and are cost-effective to use in any number of manufacturing sectors. As with most metals, brass shims require a decent level of maintaining as metals often oxidise when they are exposed to the elements.
We always advise clients on product maintenance so brass shims continue to do the proper job they’re made for.
Related: Benefits of Brass Shims
Aluminium and Steel Shims
Elsewhere, aluminium shims and steel shims are other types of shims that reduce damage caused to the friction between machines. As well as reducing the normal abrasive elements of moving machine parts, an aluminium shims reduce erosion.
This can improve the life time of a machine and avoid maintenance costs. Our steel shims are known for their toughness – indeed, our steel shims are used in countless machines, from small factories to North Sea oil rigs.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About An Aluminium Shim
Plastic Shims
Plastic shims, meanwhile, are another type of shims which are known for their durability. Most plastic can resist corrosive materials like oil. So they’re well known to customers for their long lasting application – also, unlike steel shims, they do not corrode and they’re waterproof, allowing no water absorption.
Plastic shims are also very adaptable. They’re easy to trip and manipulate, which gives customers a far greater range of applications.
Related: Plastic Shim Washers | The Benefits
Bespoke Shim Manufacturing
At Stephen’s Gaskets we supply all range of shims to customers in the UK and across the globe. We are strict on quality control and all the shims we manufacture have ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 accreditation. Our job is to get your product right first time, so all types of shims are perfect for your machinery.
Please call us on 0121 544 5808. To read more about shims and shim washers you can visit our website. If you enjoyed this article you may like to look at our previous article on How Our Shims Keep The Wheels Of Industry Turning.