Engineered Plastic Materials

Aliases: UHMW-PE, PE-UHMW, UHMWPE, TIVAR, Polystone M
Temperature: About -200°C to 80°C
Uses: Wear strips, chain guides, liners, bushings, chute liners, rollers, sliding surfaces
Strengths: Excellent abrasion resistance and high impact strength. Low friction, low moisture absorption, good chemical resistance.
Limitations: Not ideal for tight tolerances or high structural loads. Can creep during machining.

Aliases: High-density polyethylene, PE-HD, King StarBoard, Seaboard, Polystone G
Temperature: About -50°C to 80°C
Uses: Tanks, cutting boards, guards, spacers, outdoor panels, marine components
Strengths: Tough and lightweight. Moisture and chemical resistant. Easy to fabricate.
Limitations: Softer and less wear-resistant than UHMW. Difficult to glue.

Aliases: Low-density polyethylene, PE-LD
Temperature: About -50°C to 70°C
Uses: Flexible liners, pads, low-load components, packaging-related parts, cushioning
Strengths: Soft and flexible. Impact and chemical resistant.
Limitations: Too soft for tight-tolerance or precision wear parts.

Aliases: PP, Polystone P, SIMONA PP
Temperature: About -10°C to 100°C
Uses: Chemical tanks, lab components, food and plating equipment, manifolds, assemblies
Strengths: Very good chemical resistance. Low density and moisture absorption. Good weldability.
Limitations: Brittle at low temperatures. Needs UV stabilization outdoors.

Aliases: Polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated PVC, Corzan, Sintra, Komatex, Boltaron
Temperature: PVC about 0°C to 60°C. CPVC up to about 95°C.
Uses: Chemical-processing parts, tanks, ducts, guards, electrical components, signs, enclosures
Strengths: Good chemical resistance, rigidity, flame resistance. CPVC adds higher heat resistance.
Limitations: Standard PVC can be brittle in cold or high-impact service.

Aliases: PMMA, Plexiglas, Lucite, Perspex, Acrylite
Temperature: About -40°C to 80°C
Uses: Windows, sight glasses, guards, displays, covers, signs, transparent components
Strengths: Excellent optical clarity and UV stability. Stiff. Machines and polishes well.
Limitations: Brittle compared to polycarbonate. May crack at holes or sharp corners.

Aliases: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, Cycolac, Lustran, Royalite
Temperature: About -20°C to 80°C
Uses: Housings, guards, covers, prototypes, machine components, fabricated panels
Strengths: Good impact resistance, stiffness, machinability. Formable at moderate cost.
Limitations: Standard grades have limited UV, solvent and high-temperature resistance.

Aliases: PC, Lexan, Makrolon, Tuffak, Zelux
Temperature: About -40°C to 120°C
Uses: Safety guards, machine windows, impact-resistant covers, transparent structural parts
Strengths: Extremely high impact strength. Transparent. Good dimensional stability. Higher heat resistance than acrylic.
Limitations: Scratches more easily than acrylic. May stress-crack with some chemicals.

Aliases: Polyamide, PA6, PA66, Nylatron, Ertalon, Sustamid, MC 901
Temperature: Standard about -40°C to 100°C. Stabilised grades approach 150°C.
Uses: Gears, rollers, pulleys, bushings, sprockets, wear pads, structural machine parts
Strengths: Strong, tough, wear and fatigue resistant. Performs well in gear and bearing applications.
Limitations: Absorbs moisture, which affects dimensions. Grade selection is critical for precision work.

Aliases: POM, POM-H, POM-C, Delrin, Acetron, Ertacetal, Sustarin
Temperature: About -40°C to 100°C
Uses: Precision bushings, gears, valve components, rollers, fixtures, spacers, food-equipment parts
Strengths: Excellent machinability, low moisture absorption. Good dimensional stability, low friction, fatigue resistance.
Limitations: Avoid strong acids, prolonged hot water and steam, and unprotected outdoor UV.

Aliases: Polyethylene terephthalate, Ertalyte, Ertalyte TX, Sustadur PET
Temperature: About -20°C to 110°C
Uses: Precision guides, rollers, bushings, low-moisture-movement components
Strengths: Stiff and dimensionally stable. Low moisture absorption. Good wear resistance, often holds tighter tolerances than nylon.
Limitations: More notch-sensitive than nylon. Avoid strong alkaline environments.

Aliases: Polybutylene terephthalate, Celanex, Valox, Crastin, Sustadur PBT
Temperature: About -30°C to 120°C
Uses: Electrical components, precision parts, housings, reinforced structural components
Strengths: Good dimensional stability and electrical insulation. Chemical resistant. Low moisture absorption.
Limitations: Unfilled grades have lower impact strength than nylon or polycarbonate.

Aliases: Polyphenylene ether, modified PPO, PPE, PPO, Noryl, TECANYL
Temperature: About -40°C to 110°C
Uses: Electrical components, pump and fluid-handling parts, dimensionally stable machine components
Strengths: Low moisture absorption, good dimensional stability. Electrical insulation and hot-water resistance.
Limitations: Chemical resistance varies. Some grades are affected by hydrocarbons or solvents.

Aliases: PU, TPU, urethane, Adiprene, Vibrathane, Estane
Temperature: Commonly -40°C to 80°C. Specialty grades to about 120°C.
Uses: Rollers, wheels, bumpers, scraper blades, seals, wear pads, flexible machine components
Strengths: Excellent abrasion resistance and elasticity. Impact absorption and load-bearing. Wide hardness range.
Limitations: Machining is difficult in soft grades. Resistance is formulation-dependent.

Aliases: Polytetrafluoroethylene, Teflon, Rulon, Fluorosint
Temperature: About -200°C to 260°C
Uses: Seals, valve seats, gaskets, bearings, electrical insulators, chemically exposed components
Strengths: Exceptional chemical resistance, extremely low friction. Excellent electrical insulation, very wide temperature capability. Filled grades using glass, carbon, graphite, bronze or MoS2 improve wear and stability.
Limitations: Virgin PTFE is soft, low in strength, and creeps under load. Cold flow is the failure mode to design around.

Aliases: Polyvinylidene fluoride, Kynar, Solef, Symalit, SIMONA PVDF
Temperature: About -40°C to 150°C
Uses: Chemical-processing equipment, semiconductor parts, high-purity fluid systems, tanks, valves
Strengths: Stronger and more rigid than PTFE. Excellent chemical and UV resistance. High purity, good flame performance.
Limitations: Not resistant to every strong alkaline chemical.

Aliases: Polyether ether ketone, Victrex PEEK, Ketron, Sustapeek, TECAPEEK
Temperature: About -60°C to 250°C
Uses: Aerospace, defence, oil and gas, medical, semiconductor, valve, pump, high-load bearing parts
Strengths: Exceptional strength, chemical and wear resistance. Dimensional stability and high-temperature performance.
Limitations: Very expensive. Grade and filler selection strongly affect properties.

Aliases: Polyetherimide, Ultem, Duratron U1000, Duratron U2300, TECAPEI
Temperature: About -50°C to 170°C
Uses: Electrical components, aircraft interiors, medical equipment, high-temperature structural parts
Strengths: High strength and stiffness, good dimensional stability. Inherent flame resistance with relatively low smoke generation.
Limitations: Usually amber in colour. Lower chemical resistance than PEEK or PPS in some solvents.

Aliases: Polyamide-imide, Torlon 4203, 4301, 4501, 4503, 5530, Duratron PAI
Temperature: About -200°C to 260°C
Uses: High-load bearings, seals, valve seats, compressor parts, aerospace, precision high-temperature parts
Strengths: Extremely high strength, stiffness and wear resistance. High load capacity at elevated temperatures.
Limitations: Very expensive and moisture-sensitive. Machining and post-curing requirements apply.

Aliases: PI, Vespel SP-1, SP-21, SP-22, SP-211
Temperature: Approximately -200°C to 290°C
Uses: Aerospace, vacuum, semiconductor, high-temperature bushings, thrust washers, precision wear parts
Strengths: Exceptional temperature capability and dimensional stability. Low outgassing. Strong wear performance in demanding environments.
Limitations: Among the most expensive materials available. Availability and machining waste are real cost factors.

Aliases: Polyphenylene sulfide, Ryton, Techtron PPS, Techtron HPV, Sustatron
Temperature: About -40°C to 220°C
Uses: Pump, valve, chemical-processing, electrical, high-temperature wear components
Strengths: Excellent chemical resistance, low moisture absorption. Dimensional stability, flame resistance, high-temperature capability.
Limitations: Unfilled PPS can be brittle. Reinforced grades may be abrasive to tooling.

Aliases: Polyphenylsulfone, Radel R, Ultrason P, TECASON P
Temperature: About -50°C to 180°C
Uses: Medical trays, food equipment, plumbing, fluid handling, sterilisable components
Strengths: High impact strength, excellent hydrolysis resistance. Withstands repeated steam sterilisation.
Limitations: Expensive. Not usually selected for low-friction or bearing service.

Aliases: PSU, Udel, Ultrason S, TECASON S
Temperature: About -50°C to 160°C
Uses: Medical, food, laboratory, plumbing, electrical components
Strengths: Good heat resistance, dimensional stability, electrical properties. Hot-water and steam resistance.
Limitations: Can stress-crack with some solvents. Less impact-resistant than PPSU.

Aliases: Phenolic, laminated phenolic, Micarta, Norplex-Micarta
Temperature: Commonly -40°C to 120°C. Some grades approach 175°C.
Uses: Electrical insulators, wear plates, bushings, gears, guides, structural panels
Grades: Paper, canvas and linen. Designations X, XX, XXX, C, CE, L, LE.
Strengths: Good electrical insulation and compressive strength. Stiff. Good wear properties and creep resistance.
Limitations: Can be brittle. May absorb moisture. Produces hazardous dust when machined.

Aliases: Fibreglass laminate, glass-epoxy, epoxy-glass, Norplex-Micarta, Glastic
Temperature: G10 and FR4 about -50°C to 130°C. G11 and FR5 up to about 180°C.
Uses: Electrical insulation, fixtures, structural plates, spacers, nonconductive parts
Variants: Flame-retardant FR4, high-temperature G11 and FR5
Strengths: High mechanical strength and electrical insulation. Low moisture absorption, good dimensional stability.
Limitations: Very abrasive to tooling. Produces fibreglass dust. Edge delamination needs controlling.

Aliases: NEMA GPO-3, glass-polyester laminate, UPG, Glastic, Rigos
Temperature: Commonly about -20°C to 130°C, continuous to about 140°C
Uses: Switchgear panels, arc chutes, phase barriers, bus-bar supports, insulators
Strengths: Good electrical insulation and arc and track resistance. Rigid, economical structural glass-mat polyester laminate.
Limitations: Lower strength and moisture resistance than G10 or FR4.

Aliases: Nylatron, Rulon, Delrin AF, Ketron HPV, Ertalyte TX, Vespel SP-21
Temperature: Determined by the base resin
Uses: Bearings, bushings, wear rings, thrust washers, guides, static-control components
Fillers: Graphite, carbon, glass, bronze, MoS2, oil, PTFE. Anti-static and conductive grades available.
Strengths: Tailored for lower friction and higher wear resistance, greater strength, better stability, or electrical control.
Limitations: Never assume a filled grade matches the unfilled resin.

Aliases: Ethylene propylene diene monomer, EP rubber
Temperature: About -50°C to 150°C
Uses: Outdoor seals, water-service gaskets, roofing components, steam seals, weather stripping
Forms: Solid, sponge, closed-cell, food-grade
Strengths: Excellent weather, ozone, water, steam and outdoor-aging resistance.
Limitations: Poor resistance to petroleum oils, gasoline and hydrocarbon fuels.

Aliases: CR, chloroprene rubber, polychloroprene, Baypren
Temperature: About -35°C to 100°C
Uses: General-purpose gaskets, pads, seals, vibration isolators, outdoor rubber components
Strengths: Balanced resistance to weather, ozone and moderate oils. Flame and general industrial exposure resistance.
Limitations: Not ideal for severe fuel exposure, extreme cold, or high-temperature service.

Aliases: NBR, Buna-N, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, Perbunan
Temperature: About -40°C to 120°C
Uses: Oil seals, fuel-system gaskets, hydraulic seals, pads, industrial gasketing
Forms: Standard, high-nitrile, fuel-resistant, food-grade, solid, sponge
Strengths: Good oil, fuel, grease and abrasion resistance.
Limitations: Poorer ozone, sunlight and outdoor-weathering resistance than EPDM or neoprene.

Aliases: CNAF, Garlock BLUE-GARD, KLINGERSIL, Durlon, Teadit, GORE
Temperature: Grade-dependent. Common products about -200°C to 450°C.
Uses: Flange gaskets, equipment seals, pump and valve gaskets, custom-cut sealing components
Types: CNAF, aramid and cellulose fibre, PTFE, expanded PTFE, graphite, rubber-cork
Strengths: Broad range of pressures, chemicals, temperatures and flange conditions.
Limitations: Properties vary by construction and binder. Select by fluid, pressure, temperature, flange design, bolt load and applicable regulation.