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There are many different types of plastic material for injection moulding. These are available in a wide range of grades, some with additives to
improve performance, such as lubricants, heat stabilisers and glass reinforcement.
These are the materials that we mainly use:
| Material |
Trade Names
stocked |
Typical
Density
g/cm³ |
Characteristics |
Applications |
| ABS |
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene |
Polylac, Magnum |
1.06 |
Rigid, high impact, good chemical resistance, outstanding electrical properties, strong, good aesthetics, opaque, glossy tough, good low temperature properties, good dimensional stability and easily electroplated, low creep. |
Valves, covers, end caps, bezels, knobs, boxes & lids, Telephone handsets, rigid luggage, domestic appliance housings (food mixers), electroplated parts, and computer housings. |
| EVA |
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate |
Evathane |
0.94 |
Impact resistant, transparent, good low temperature flexibility (-70'C), good chemical resistance, high friction coefficient. |
Valves, diaphragms, teats, handle grips, flexible tubing, beer tubing, vacuum cleaner hosing. |
| HDPE |
High Density Polythene |
Lupolen |
0.96 |
Flexible, translucent / waxy, weatherproof, good low temperature toughness (to -60'C), easy to process by most methods, low cost, good chemical resistance. |
Bottle caps, trays, bungs, chemical drums, jerricans, carboys, toys, picnic ware, household and kitchenware, cable insulation, carrier bags, food wrapping material. |
| LDPE |
Low Density Polythene |
Riblene, Atofina |
0.92 |
Strong & flexible, translucent, very tough, weatherproof, good chemical resistance, low water absorption, easily processed by most methods, low cost. |
Closures, lens caps, caps, squeeze bottles, toys, carrier bags, high frequency insulation, chemical tank linings, heavy-duty sacks, general packaging, gas and water pipes. |
| PAA |
Polyarylamide |
IXEF |
1.43-1.77 |
Excellent surface finish, high rigidity, low creep, excellent resistance to mechanical stress, good in thick or thin section, making it an outstanding replacement for metals and other thermoplastics |
Camera tripod, brackets, knobs, handles. |
| PA6 |
Nylon 6 Polyamide |
Ravamid, Zytel, Econyl, Minlon |
1.14 |
Excellent rigidity, heat & chemical resistance, good strength, rigidity & flame retardant |
Nuts and bolts, washers, spacers, bearings, clamp rings, closures, bushes. |
| PA66 |
Nylon 66 Polyamide |
Nylatron, Zytel, Vydyne, Latilube |
1.14 |
Excellent heat & chemical resistance, good strength, rigidity & flame retardant. |
Contact plates, plugs, buttons, plug in terminal strips, switch components. |
| PBT |
Polybutylene Terephthalate |
Crastin, Valox, Celenex |
1.42 |
Good rigidity. |
Oven handles, gears, medical. |
| PC |
Polycarbonate |
Duralon, Trirex, Lexan, Calibre |
1.2 |
Polycarbonates are strong, stiff, hard, tough, transparent engineering thermoplastics, excellent transparency, flame retardant, resistant to the weather and excellent impact resistance. |
Cases, lenses, windows , clips, light pipes, window tubes, illuminated buttons. |
| PC/ABS |
Polycarbonate ABS |
Cycoloy, Lupoy, Pulse, Mayblex, Bayblend |
1.2 |
Good impact resistance, dimensional stability,& heat resistance. |
Cases, lids, keyboard surrounds, housings. |
| PEI |
Polyetherimide |
Ultem |
1.27 |
Excellent rigidity, flame retardant, heat resistant, & chemical resistance |
Parts where dimensional stabiltiy at high temperatures are encountered. |
| PET |
Polyethylene Terephthalate |
Rynite |
1.34 |
Excellent chemical & heat resistance with good electrical properties making it an outstanding replacement for metals and other thermoplastics. |
Clamp bolts, coil housings, sensor housings, probe handles. |
| PMMA |
Acrylic |
Diakon, Oroglas |
1.18 |
Good resistance to UV light, surface hardness & rigidity, excellent transparency. Brittle. |
Lenses, windows, light guides |
| POMC |
Acetal |
Derlin, Hostaform |
1.42 |
Very tough, resistant to chemicals, dimensions highly stable. |
Gears, bearings, valves |
| POMH |
Acetal/PTFE |
Tenac |
0.91 |
Superior fatigue resistance, high impact strength, good weather resistance |
Bushes, gears |
| PP |
Polypropylene |
Exxtral, , Hostacom, Stamylan, Borealis |
1.07 |
Good chemical resistance, translucent and resistant to impact Semi-rigid, tough, good fatigue resistance, integral hinge property and good heat resistance. |
Brackets, probes, valves, handles, and end caps, flexible and rigid packaging, automotive bumpers, cladding, and exterior trim. |
| PPO |
Polyphenylene Oxide |
Noryl |
1.07 |
Very good physical properties, good heat, humidity resistance, poor chemical resistance, very stable dimensionally, and good electrical insulating properties,difficult to process (blended to ease injection moulding), tough. |
Connectors, brackets, electrical switch boxes, coffee pot and washing m/c parts (where high temperature and moisture are critical), replacement for die castings, drink vending machines, microwave components |
| PPS |
Polyphenylene Sulphide |
Ryton |
1.65 |
Rigid, flame and heat retardant, opaque non-burning continuous use at 240'C, good chemical resistance, good electrical insulator, moisture resistant, rarely used unfilled. |
Chemical pumps, pistons lamp bulb holders, sockets, hair dryer grills, medical equipment, TV and automotive components. |
| PS |
Polystyrene (General Purpose - GPPS) |
Nova |
1 |
Brittle, rigid, transparent, low shrinkage, low cost, excellent X-ray resistance, free from odour and taste, easy to process. |
Toys and novelties, rigid packaging, refrigerator trays and boxes, cosmetic packs and costume jewellery , lighting diffusers, audiocassette and CD cases. |
| |
Polystyrene (High Impact - HIPS) |
Nova |
1 |
Hard, rigid, translucent, impact strength up to 7 x GPPS, other properties similar. |
Yoghurt pots, refrigerator linings, vending cups, bathroom cabinets, toilet seats and tanks, closures, instrument control knobs. |
| PVC |
Polyvinyl Chloride |
Doeflex |
|
Compatibility with many different kinds of additives, can be clear or coloured , rigid or flexible. |
Window frames, drainage pipe, water service pipe, medical devices, blood storage bags, cable and wire insulation, roofing membranes, stationary, automotive interiors and seat coverings, credit cards. |
| SAN |
Styrene Acrylonitrile |
Starex, LGchem |
1.07 |
Rigid, transparent, tough, resistant to grease, stress cracking and crazing, easily processed, resistant to food stains. |
Windows, lenses, drinking tumblers, hi-fi covers, water jugs and toothbrush handles, kitchen and picnic ware, radio dials, washing machine trims. |
| TPE |
Thermoplastic Elastomer/Rubber |
Evoprene, Santoprene, Hytrel, Thermoflex |
1.1 |
Clear, elastic, wear resistant and impermeable. Excellent flexibility, good impact resistance, flame retardant & chemical resistant. |
Washers, bushes, medical plugs, soles and heels for sports shoes, hammerheads, seals, gaskets. |
| TPE-E |
Thermoplastic Elastomer/Polyester |
Riteflex |
1.15 |
High mechanical strength, high flexibility and chemical resistance, excellent surface gloss and good printability. |
Seals, gaskets, grips |
| TPU |
Thermoplastic Polyurethane |
Pellathane |
1.2 |
Excellent flexibility, good transparency, impact resistant & chemical resistant. |
Medical cannulae and tubes. |
| TPU |
Thermoplastic Vulcanisates |
Sarlink |
1.2 |
Excellent flexibility, high tear strength, oil resistant, good electrical properties. |
Seals, gaskets, grips grommets, connectors. |
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