McMaster-Carr logo
    Enter e-mail addresses in the fields below
    Message
    Cancel
    Comments
    E-mail address (if you would like a response)
    56 Products
    About Composites
    industrial info icon

    Compare our offering of composites to find the right material for you.

    Additives and Fillers for Paints, Coatings, and Lubricants

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Additives and Fillers. Additives and Fillers for Paints, Coatings, and Lubricants.
    When mixed into coatings, resins, polymers, and metals, these fillers enhance strength, conductivity, lubricity, and other physical properties.
    Container
    Material
    Concentration
    Net
    Wt.
    Type
    Material
    Form
    Particle
    Size, μm
    CAS No.
    Each
    Aluminum
    99.9%1 lb.BottlePlasticPowder447429-90-51402N19000000
    Boron Carbide97%1 lb.BottlePlasticPowder1 to 712069-32-81402N15000000
    Boron Nitride99.9%1.8 oz.JarPlasticPowder0.510043-11-51402N13000000
    Carbon Black100%25 lb.BagPlasticPowder31333-86-41402N28000000
    Cobalt Oxide99.9%1 lb.BottlePlasticPowder377440-48-41402N27000000
    Copper99.9%1 lb.BottlePlasticPowder447440-50-81402N1800000
    Iron99.9%1 lb.BottlePlasticPowder57439-89-61402N2500000
    Manganese97%1 lb.BottlePlasticPowder107439-96-51402N26000000
    Nickel99.9%1 lb.BottlePlasticPowder37440-02-01402N24000000
    Silicon99%1 lb.BottlePlasticPowder447440-21-31402N1700000
    Stainless Steel
    99.9%1 lb.BottlePlasticPowder4465997-19-51402N21000000
    Tin99.9%1 lb.BottlePlasticPowder447440-31-51402N16000000
    Tungsten99.9%1 lb.BottlePlasticPowder37440-33-71402N23000000

    Additives and Reinforcements for Composites

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Additives and Fillers. Additives and Reinforcements for Composites, Fiberglass, Loose Fibers.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Additives and Fillers. Additives and Reinforcements for Composites, Kevlar, Loose Fibers.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Additives and Fillers. Additives and Reinforcements for Composites, Flakes.

    Fiberglass

    Loose Fibers

    Kevlar

    Loose Fibers

    Flakes

    Mix these additives with melted plastic, epoxies, or adhesives to make parts stronger and more wear resistant without adding much weight. You can use them in batches to tackle repairs and small parts instead of machining your part from a sheet, bar, or other shape.
    Recycled Material—Recycled carbon fiber additives have a low carbon footprint to help you meet environmental goals. But, they’re not as strong or as stiff as standard carbon fiber additives.
    Fiberglass for Thermoplastics and Thermosets—These additives increase a part’s strength and ability to withstand frequent blows. But, they’re not as strong or as lightweight as carbon fiber additives. They also block electric currents from passing through. Their short fibers are best for castings and foams to prevent cracking as resin shrinks. The amount you use to start should equal about 10-35% of your composite’s weight.
    Carbon Fiber—Often used in vehicles to increase fuel efficiency, these additives can double your composite’s strength to make stiff pieces that are stronger and lighter in weight than aluminum. The more you add to your mixture, the stronger it becomes. These additives also carry electric currents, so they’re good for directing electromagnetic energy away from electrical devices. However, they don’t direct electricity as well as metal. They’re made of chopped fibers, which makes them ideal for repairs and intricate parts. But, they’re not as strong or as stiff as materials with continuous fibers, such as fabric and tow.
    The size of carbon fiber’s particles affects its ease of use and strength. The smaller the particle size, the less effort it requires to mix. On the other hand, larger particles make parts stronger and stiffer. Choose carbon fiber with smaller particle sizes when making intricate parts and repairs.
    Carbon Fiber for Thermoplastics—Carbon fiber additives for thermoplastics bond with most melted plastic pellets, except PVDF. Shape your mixture into parts with compression and injection molding or 3D printing. You can shape your finished product multiple times without losing its strength. Start by adding 10% by volume to your mixture.
    Kevlar for Thermoplastics—Choose these additives when your application is likely to wear down your finished part—they improve a part’s ability to stand up to corrosion, bangs, bumps, and scrapes. They’re also used to reinforce points where honeycomb cores connect to fabric. To start, mix in 1 part Kevlar to 15 parts composite.
    Carbon Fiber for Thermosets—Carbon fiber additives for thermosets mix with epoxies, adhesives, vinyl compounds, and phenolic. Use compression molding to turn your mixture into parts, or fill in cavities after curing without adding weight. You can’t shape your product once it’s cured. Begin with 5% by volume in your mixture.
    Container
    Concentration
    Net
    Wt.
    Type
    Material
    Form
    Particle
    Size, μm
    CAS No.
    Each
    Fiberglass for Thermoplastics and Thermosets
    98%10 lb.JugPlasticLoose Fiber84065997-17-31402N34000000
     
    Carbon Fiber for Thermoplastics
    91%1 lb.BoxCardboardFlake6,3507440-44-05467N1100000
    91%5 lb.BoxCardboardFlake6,3507440-44-05467N12000000
     
    Carbon Fiber for Thermosets
    91%1 lb.BoxCardboardFlake3,1757440-44-05467N1500000
    91%1.5 lb.PailPlasticFlake12,0007440-44-05467N2100000
    91%6 lb.PailPlasticFlake12,0007440-44-05467N22000000
     
    Recycled Carbon Fiber for Thermoplastics
    91%1 lb.BoxCardboardFlake6,3507440-44-05467N1300000
    91%5 lb.BoxCardboardFlake6,3507440-44-05467N1400000
     
    Kevlar for Thermoplastics
    80%2 oz.TubeCardboardLoose Fiber1,05026125-61-11402N3100000
    80%1 lb.BoxCardboardLoose Fiber1,05026125-61-11402N32000000
     

    Resin Fillers

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Resin Fillers.
    Add these hollow microspheres to epoxy, urethane, or polyester resins to reduce weight and shrinkage.
    Glass—Glass microspheres are a good choice when water resistance or sanding is required.
    Ceramic—Ceramic microspheres act as a thickening agent.
    Material
    Color
    Dia.
    Shape
    Container
    Size, qt.
    Each
    GlassClear0.002"Microsphere21414T36000000
    CeramicGray0.006"Microsphere21414T4800000

    Smooth-Finish Paint Additives

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Paint Additives. Smooth-Finish Paint Additives, Water Based.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Paint Additives. Smooth-Finish Paint Additives, Solvent Based.

    Water

    Based

    Solvent Based

    These additives slow down paint’s cure time, allowing it to flow better and fill in brushstrokes for a smooth finish. They also improve adhesion.
    Water Based—Use water-based additives with water-based paint, such as latex and acrylic paint. One quart treats up to four gallons of paint.
    Solvent Based—Use solvent-based additives with oil- and solvent-based paint. One quart treats up to two gallons of paint. They cannot be sold to the listed areas due to VOC (volatile organic compounds) regulations.
    Container
    For Topcoat
    Composition
    Size
    Type
    For Container
    Size, gal.
    Cannot Be Sold To
    Each
    Water Based1 qt.Bottle42562N3000000
    Solvent Based1 qt.Can2California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, Canada2562N100000
    Solvent Based1 gal.Can8California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, Canada2562N2000000

    Flame-Retardant Paint Additives

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Paint Additives. Flame-Retardant Paint Additives.
    Mix these additives with any water-based paint to create a flame-retardant surface. Use them on wood for a Class B rating. For interior use only.
    One 16-fluid ounce bottle treats one gallon of latex, acrylic, or any other water-based paint.
    Container
    For Topcoat
    Composition
    Size, fl.
    oz.
    Type
    For Container
    Size, gal.
    Each
    Water Based16Bottle12562N5000000

    Wear-Resistant Floor Coating Additives

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Floor Coating Additives. Wear-Resistant Floor Coating Additives.
    Increase the wear resistance of thin floor coatings. These additives consist of an aluminum-oxide blend that improves abrasion resistance by up to 40%. They create a fine texture that increases a coating’s slip resistance and decreases its gloss, hiding minor imperfections on the floor. Additives won’t change the coating’s color.
    For Topcoat Composition
    Container
    Net Wt., lb.
    For Container
    Size, gal.
    Each
    Solvent Based, Water Based1/212562N6000000

    Antislip Floor Coating Additives

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Floor Coating Additives. Antislip Floor Coating Additives.
    Consisting of small, spherical particles, add these to water- or solvent-based floor coatings to create a slip-resistant surface that’s easier to clean than sand-textured surfaces. Additives won’t change the coating’s color.
    3.2 fl. oz. Container—Use 3.2 fl. oz. bottle with one gallon of floor coating.
    16 fl. oz. Container—Use 16 fl. oz. bottle with five gallons of floor coating.
    For Topcoat Composition
    Container
    Size, fl. oz.
    For Container
    Size, gal.
    Each
    Solvent Based, Water Based3.212562N2100000
    Solvent Based, Water Based1652562N2200000

    Diesel Exhaust Fluids

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Oil Additives. Diesel Exhaust Fluids, Box.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Oil Additives. Diesel Exhaust Fluids, Drum.

    Box

    Drum

    For use in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, these fluids reduce the air pollution from your diesel engine to help you comply with EPA guidelines. Commonly known as DEFs, they contain urea to convert nitrous oxide (NOx) into water vapor and nitrogen for cleaner emissions. They meet ISO 22241-1 and American Petroleum Institute standards for diesel exhaust fluids.
    Container
    Size,
    gal.
    Type
    Temp. Range
    Color
    For Engine
    Type
    Primary
    Chemical
    Specs. Met
    Certification
    Each
    Water Based
    2.5Box20° F to 210° FClearDieselUreaISO 22241-1API Certified Diesel Exhaust Fluid
    9110N112000000
    55Drum20° F to 210° FClearDieselUreaISO 22241-1API Certified Diesel Exhaust Fluid
    9110N113000000
     

    Gas Stabilizers

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Oil Additives.
    Add these stabilizers to your gas tank to keep fuel fresh when stored for long periods. One fluid ounce of stabilizer treats 2.5 gallons of gasoline; each bottle treats up to 80 gallons.
    Container
    Each
    Package
    Size, fl.
    oz.
    Type
    Temp.
    Range
    Color
    With
    Detergent
    For Engine
    Type
    Each
    Pkg.
    Qty.
    Pkg.
    Synthetic Oil Base
    32BottleNot RatedRedNoGasoline10385K47000000410385K471000000
     

    Hydraulic System Treatments

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Oil Additives. Hydraulic System Treatments.
    Protect and clean hydraulic, automatic transmission, and power steering systems—these treatments clear out sticky varnish and prolong system life. They help manage moisture levels in hydraulic systems, and dissolve harmful deposits to improve performance in automatic transmission systems. In power steering systems, they reduce noise from the steering pump, promote smoother steering, and control moisture levels. They’re also used to flush out systems before replacing power steering fluid.
    These treatments are compatible with all petroleum-based hydraulic oil and power steering fluids. They work with all conventional and synthetic, petroleum- and mineral-based automatic transmission fluids.
    Container
    Each
    Package
    Size, fl.
    oz.
    Type
    Color
    With
    Detergent
    For Engine Type
    Each
    Pkg.
    Qty.
    Pkg.
    Sea Foam Trans Tune—Mineral Oil Base
    16BottleRedNoGasoline, Diesel3937N11000000123937N1110000000
     

    Oil Stabilizers

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Oil Additives. Oil Stabilizers.
    These stabilizers contains nano-sized additives, which penetrate small surface imperfections to reduce wear and heat, extending the life of both the oil and the engine while improving performance.
    Container
    Each
    Package
    Size, fl.
    oz.
    Type
    Temp. Range
    Color
    With
    Detergent
    For Engine Type
    Each
    Pkg.
    Qty.
    Pkg.
    Mineral Oil Base
    32Bottle20° F to 260° FBlackNoGasoline, Diesel2080N11000000122080N120000000
     

    Automatic Transmission Fluids

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Oil Additives. Automatic Transmission Fluids, Bottle.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Oil Additives. Automatic Transmission Fluids, Jug.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Oil Additives. Automatic Transmission Fluids, Pail.

    Bottle

    Jug

    Pail

    These fluids meet Ford and General Motors (Dexron III) specifications for automatic transmission fluids. They can also be used as power steering fluid and compressor fluid.
    Viscosity is the thickness of an oil. The higher the grade, the thicker the oil, and the less it flows.
    Mineral Oil Base—Mineral-oil-based fluids are derived from petroleum and are more economical than synthetic-oil-based fluids.
    Synthetic Oil Base—Synthetic-oil-based fluids last longer than mineral-oil-based fluids, reducing the frequency of changes, and withstands a wider range of temperatures. Compatible with mineral-oil-based fluids, you can add these fluids without draining your existing fluids first.
    Viscosity
    Grade
    Container
    Each
    Package
    ISO
    AGMA
    SAE
    SSU
    Size
    Type
    Temp. Range
    Color
    With
    Detergent
    Specs. Met
    Each
    Pkg.
    Qty.
    Pkg.
    Mineral Oil Base
    3210W150 SSU @ 100° F32 fl. oz.Bottle-30° F to 200° FRedNoDexron-III(H)2183K11000000122183K1110000000
     
    Synthetic Oil Base
    46120220 SSU @ 100° F1 gal.Jug-35° F to 200° FRedNoDexron-III(H)2183K210000062183K211000000
    46120220 SSU @ 100° F5 gal.Pail-35° F to 200° FRedNoDexron-III(H)2183K31000000———0
     

    Engine Treatments

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Oil Additives. Engine Treatments, Marvel Mystery Oil.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Oil Additives. Engine Treatments, Sea Foam Motor Treatment, Bottle.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Oil Additives. Engine Treatments, Sea Foam Motor Treatment, Can.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Oil Additives. Engine Treatments, Slick 50 Engine Treatment.

    Marvel

    Mystery Oil

    Sea Foam

    Motor

    Treatment,

    Bottle

    Sea Foam Motor

    Treatment, Can

    Slick 50

    Engine

    Treatment

    Mix these treatments with gasoline or oil to improve engine performance.
    Marvel Mystery Oil—Add Marvel Mystery Oil to gasoline and oil. In gas it cleans fuel injectors, prevents sticky valves, and limits buildup. In oil it eases start-up in cold temperatures, extends oil life, and prevents the formation of acid and sludge. It can also be used with marine and diesel engines.
    Sea Foam Motor Treatment—Use Sea Foam Motor Treatment in gasoline and diesel engines, and in both conventional and synthetic oil. When added to gas and diesel fuel, it cleans fuel injectors, carburetor passageways, intake valves, and intake chambers. It also lubricates upper engine cylinders. This treatment can even stabilize gas and diesel fuel to store them for up to two years. When added to oil, this treatment removes harmful residue and deposits.
    Slick 50 Engine Treatment—Add Slick 50 Engine Treatment to oil to protect your engine from friction and heat. Do not use with vehicles used in heavy duty industrial or commercial applications.
    Container
    Each
    Package
    SAE Viscosity
    Grade
    Size
    Type
    Temp.
    Range
    Color
    With
    Detergent
    For Engine Type
    Each
    Pkg.
    Qty.
    Pkg.
    Marvel Mystery Oil
    16 fl. oz.BottleNot RatedRedYesGasoline, Diesel1272K50000061272K501000000
    32 fl. oz.BottleNot RatedRedYesGasoline, Diesel1272K10000061272K10100000
    1 gal.JugNot RatedRedYesGasoline, Diesel1272K20000041272K202000000
     
    Sea Foam Motor Treatment
    16 fl. oz.BottleNot RatedClearNoGasoline, Diesel3929N1100000243929N12000000
    1 gal.CanNot RatedClearNoGasoline, Diesel3929N1300000———0
     
    Slick 50 Engine Treatment Synthetic Oil Base
    5W-3015 fl. oz.BottleNot RatedAmberYesGasoline2206K230000062206K231000000
     
    back to top