ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a thermoplastic that is created using emulsion. ABS is resistant to corrosive chemicals, easy to machine, and has a relatively low melting temperature.
Common applications:
Enclosures
Acetal/POM (Delrin)
Acetal is a low-friction, lightweight thermoplastic that is resistant to chemicals and liquid absorption. It is often machined but can also be injection molded.
Common applications:
Bearings, bushings, dispensing components
ASA
Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate is an ABS alternative with improved weather resistance.
Common applications:
Enclosures, large panels; Automotive parts
HDPE
High Density Polyethylene is a thermoplastic made from petroleum. HDPE has high tensile strength, high impact resistance, and a high melting point.
Common applications:
Caps and enclosures
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is easy to mold, recycle, and has high impact strength and stiffness.
Common applications:
Packing, dishware, displays
LDPE
Low-density Polyethylene is a soft, flexible, tough, and lightweight plastic with good corrosion resistance.
Common applications:
Containers, bags, tubing
Nylon - Glass Filled & 6/6
Nylon 6/6
Nylon 6/6 has high mechanical strength and rigidity. It is resistant to chemicals and is stable at high temperatures.
Price: $
Common applications: Automotive applications, gears, bushings
Glass-Filled Nylon
Glass-Filled Nylon is much stiffer and has greater tensile strength than standard Nylon. It also has a low coefficient of friction and high thermal resistance.
Price: $$
Common applications: Bearings, washers, a lightweight substitute for metals where appropriate
PBT
Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) is similar to PET plastic and a member of the polyester family. PBT is better suited to lower molding and use temperatures. It also has high heat and chemical resistance.
Common applications:
Automotive applications, gears, electrical components
PC/ABS
PC/ABS is a blend of polycarbonate and ABS, meaning you get the best properties of both base materials—heat resistance and flexibility. This blend is also more easily processed during injection molding than either of the base materials.
Common applications:
Enclosures, large panels; widely used in many applications
PEEK
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has high temperature, chemical, and radiation resistance.
Common applications:
Because it is so robust, it is well suited for applications in the medical, nuclear, chemical processing, and aerospace industries.
PEI (Ultem)
Polyetherimide is a semi-transparent plastic with high temperature resistance and very high dielectric strength, making it great for medical instrument components and electrical insulation parts.
Common applications:
Medical instrument components and electrical insulation parts.
PET
Polyethylene terephthalate is the most common material for plastic bottles of water and other drinks. It is also commonly known as polyester and is used to make synthetic fibers.
Common applications:
Plastic water bottles, packaging
PMMA (Acrylic)
Acrylic is a transparent polymer with good tensile and flexural strength. It costs less and has comparable properties to polycarbonate.
Common applications:
Head/tail lights, light pipes, clear enclosures
PBT Glass-Filled
Glass-filled Polybutylene Terephthalate is much stiffer and has greater tensile strength than standard Polybutylene Terephthalate. PBT is better suited to lower molding and use temperatures. It also has high heat and chemical resistance.
Common applications:
Automotive applications, Fire-retardant applications
PEEK Glass-Filled
Glass-filled PEEK is much stiffer and has greater tensile strength than standard PEEK.
Common applications:
Medical, nuclear, chemical processing, and aerospace industries.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is strong, tough, and can be transparent.
Common applications:
Electronic components, automotive applications, aerospace, glasses/safety eyewear.
Polycarbonate Glass-Filled
Glass-filled Polycarbonate is a strong and tough material ideal for many industrial applications.
Common applications:
Pulleys, medical devices
Polyethylene
Polyethylene has a low melting point, high ductility, high impact strength, and low friction.
Common applications:
Films, bags, electronic insulation, toys.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene has great electrical and chemical resistance at high temperatures.
Common applications:
Medical components, battery cases, everyday uses
PPA
Polyphthalamide is comparable to nylon with higher stiffness, strength, and thermal properties. It has good creep resistance and dimensional stability.
Common applications:
Automotive, oil and gas, plumbing components
PPO
Polyphenylene oxide (PPO) has great dimensional stability and good electrical properties.
Common applications:
Instrument housings, electrical components
PPS
Polyphenylene Sulfide is a highly chemical and thermal resistant material with good flow and dimensional stability.
Common applications:
Synthetic fibers, electrical susulation, membranes, packaging
PPSU
Polyphenylsulfone is a high performance polymer with high heat and chemical resistance. Polyphenylsulfone has no melting point.
Common applications:
Automotive, aerospace, plumbing applications
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride has high hardness, mechanical and electrical insulation properties. It is chemically resistant to many liquids.
Common applications:
Medical containers, constuction, piping, cables
Rubber
Rubber or EPDM is a synthetic rubber used in the compression molding process. EPDM has good chemical and heat resistance.
Common applications:
O-rings, seals, automotive applications
SAN (AS)
Styrene Acrylonitrile resin is a Polystyrene alternative with higher thermal and chemical resistance.
Common applications:
Containers, Optical fibers, packaging
Silicone
Silicone is a flexible material wirh low toxicity, chemical, and thermal conductivity.
Common applications:
Medical devices, food grade applications, O-rings, seals
Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)
Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) has the look and feel of a rubber-like material but is a thermoplastic, meaning it can be re-melted. TPE has good thermal properties and stability at a wide range of temperatures.
Common applications:
Automotive applications, household appliances
TPU
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is an elastic material with good resistance to oil, grease, and abrasion.
Common applications:
Medical device applications, mobile electronic devices
TPV
Thermoplastic Vulcanizates is part of the TPE material family. It is closest in properties to EPDM rubber and has high-temperature resistance and excellent elastisity.
Common applications:
Automotive applications, household appliances, sealing applications
