Thermoplastic Materialsals

The table below provides some brief details on different thermoplastic materials used in injection molding.  The list is by no means exhaustive and there are a number of blends of different materials, e.g. PC/ABS, designed to achieve the best performance properties of the two individual components.  Within each group of plastics materials different levels of performance are available.  Additional strength may be gained through the addition of fillers, such as talc or glass, in many cases.  Also additives to improve UV stability or flame retardancy or provide antimicrobial properties may also be used.

Material

Abbr.

Properties

Typical Applications

Polypropylene

PP

Good chemical resistance

Packaging, containers

PP Homopolymer

HPPP

Semi rigid, durable

Small domestic appliances eg kettles

PP Copolymer

CPPP

Good gloss, texture possible, low cost

Large automotive parts, plates and cups for children and picnics

Polyethylene

PE

Good chemical resistance, flexible or semi rigid depending on grade.  Weatherproof, good low temperature performance.  Non toxic.  Low cost

Low Density –Packaging, containers.  High Density – crates, chemical drums, gas/water pipe and fittings, kitchenware

PE Low Density

LDPE/LLDPE

PE High Density

HDPE

Polystyrene

PS

Brittle, transparent.  Poor UV stability.  HIPS up to 7x impact strength of GPPS

GPPS – toys, packaging, cosmetic packaging

HIPS – TV cabinets, refrigerator linings, toilet seats

General Purpose

GPPS

High Impact

HIPS

Acrylic

PMMA

Rigid,clear, glossy, good weather resistance

Lenses, signs, light diffusers, point of purchase displays

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

ABS

Rigid, opaque, tough, good gloss, texture possible

Domestic appliances, car fascias, computer housings

Nylon (Polyamide)

PA

Rigid, tough, hardwearing

Gears, bearings, automotive under bonnet parts

Acetal

POM

Rigid, tough, springlike, good wear and electrical properties

Aerosol valves, clock parts, computer printer components

Polycarbonate

PC

Rigid, transparent, excellent impact resistance, good weather resistance, good dimensional stability

Crash helmet visors, vandal proof glazing, riot shields, car headlamp lenses, safety helmets, babies’ bottles

Acrylate Styrene Acrylonitrile

ASA

Rigid, opaque, tough, good UV resistance

Housings, telephones, automotive door mirrors and radiator grilles

Styrene Acrylonitrile

SAN

Rigid, transparent, tough, resistant to stress cracking

Lenses, drinking tumblers, kitchen and picnic ware, hi-fi covers

Polyvinyl Chloride

PVC

Rigid or flexible grades, weatherprooof, non-flammable, good impact strength and electrical insulation

Drainpipes and guttering, cable insulation, flooring, roofing, hosepipes

Polyurethane

PUR

Flexible, clear, impermeable

Shoe soles and heels, seals, gaskets, rollers, wheels

Polyesters

PBT, PET

Rigid, clear, extremely tough, wide temperature range resistance

Drink bottles, business machine components, transformer parts

Polysulphone

PES,PSU,PEEK

Excellent high temperature stability, rigid or flexible grades available.  High cost

Microwave grills, chemotherapy devices, surgical equipment, fuel cells

Polyphenylene Sulphide

PPS

Rigid, opaque, non-burning, good chemical resistance at high temperature

Chemical pumps, medical and dental equipment, transformer parts, heating element bases

Polyvinylidene Fluoride

PVDF

Strong, tough material with excellent chemical and heat resistance

Valves, pumps, bearings in chemical process industry

Polyphenylene Oxide

PPO

Rigid, opaque, glossy, excellent dimensional stability

TV housings, automotive instrument enclosures

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate

EVA

Flexible (rubber-like), good low temperature flexibility, good chemical resistance

Handle grips, ice cube trays, hoses