The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Amorphous and Semi-Crystalline Engineering Thermoplastics

Materials, properties and applications.

Prepared by the IAPD Education Committee (Module 4)

Presented courtesy of Modern Plastics Inc.

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

IAPD THERMOPLASTICS RECTANGLE
IMIDE MATERIALS
Key Characteristics: Very High Cost Per Pound Excellent Properties Above 400F Excellent Electrical Properties Excellent Dimensional Stability Low Coefficient of Friction AMORPHOUS HIGH PERFORMANCE PLASTICS
Key Characteristics High Cost High Temperature High Strength & Good Stiffness Good Chemical Resistance Transparency Hot Water & Steam Resistance Materials: Polysulfone Polyetherimide Polyethersulfone Polyarylsulfone

Materials: PI PAI PBI

SEMI-CRYSTALLINE HIGH PERFORMACE PLASTICS

Key Characteristics: High Cost High Temperature High Strength Good Electrical Properties Outstanding Chemical Resistance Low Coefficient of Friction Good Toughness Materials: PVDF PTFE ECTFE FEP PFA PPS PEEK

SEMI-CRYSTALLINE PLASTICS

AMORPHOUS PLASTICS

AMORPHOUS ENGINEERING PLASTICS

Key Characteristics: Moderate Cost Moderate Temperature Resistance Moderate Strength Good Impact Resistance Translucency Good Dimensional Stability Good Optical Qualities Materials: Polycarbonate Modified PPO Modified PPE Thermoplastic Urethane

SEMI-CRYSTALLINE ENGINEERING PLASTICS

Key Characteristics: Moderate Cost Moderate Temperature Resistance Moderate Strength Good Chemical Resistance Good Bearing and Wear Properties Low Coefficient of Friction Difficult to Bond Materials: Nylon Acetal PET PBT UHMW-PE

AMORPHOUS COMMODITY PLASTICS

Key Characteristics: Low Cost Low Temperature Resistance] Low Strength Good Dimensional Stability Bond Well Typically Transparent Materials: Acrylic Polystyrene ABS PVC PETG CAB

SEMI-CRYSTALLINE COMMODITY PLASTICS

Key Characteristics: Low Cost Low Temperature Resistance Low Strength Excellent Chemical Resistance Low Coefficient of Friction Near Zero Moisture Absorption Very Good Electrical Properties Good Toughness Materials: Polyethylene Polypropylene Polymetnylpentene(TPX)

AMORPHOUS PLASTICS KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Soften Over a Broad Range Of Temperatures Easy to Thermoform Tend to Be Transparent Bond Well Using Adhesives and Solvents Prone To Stress Cracking Poor Fatigue Resistance Stuctural Applications Only (Not for Bearing & Wear)

SEMI-CRYSTALLINE PLASTICS KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Sharp Melting Point Difficult to Thermoform Tend to Be Opaque Difficult To Bond Using Adhesives and Solvents Good Resistance To Stress Cracking Good Fatigue Resistance Good For Bearing and Wear, As Well As Structural Applications

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Amorphous Engineering Thermoplastics

Key Characteristics
Moderate cost, strength and temperature resistance Good impact resistance Translucency

Good dimensional stability

Excellent optical qualities

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Amorphous Engineering Thermoplastics

Materials
Polycarbonate (PC) Polyphenylene Oxide (PPO) Polyphenelyne Ether (PPE) Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU)

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Polycarbonate (PC)
Strengths

Excellent clarity
Excellent toughness Good heat resistance

Excellent electrical properties

Intrinsic flame-retardancy Excellent strength

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Polycarbonate (PC)
Limitations
Continual exposure to hot water causes gradual embitterment Most aromatic solvents, esters and ketones can cause crazing and cracking

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Polycarbonate (PC)
Applications
Vandal resistant windows Machine guards Outdoor signs Sky lights Backboards Bike, roller blading protective wear

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Modified Polyphenylene Oxide (Mod PPO) Modified Polyphenylene Ether (Mod PPE)
Key Characteristics High dielectric strength Available in FDA compliant grades

Less expensive than polycarbonate (PC)

Good chemical resistance to strong acids, bases and water

Wide range of processing

Good creep resistance
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Modified Polyphenylene Oxide (Mod PPO) Modified Polyphenylene Ether (Mod PPE)
Applications Electrical housings in appliance, computers, business equipment, etc. Water purification equipment parts Insulators Gears

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)

Key Characteristics
Wide range of service temperatures Wide range of harness options Excellent tear resistance Excellent compression strength Excellent resistance to non polar solvents Excellent electrical properties Excellent abrasion resistance High tensile strength

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)

Applications
Impact resistant housings Valves Water filter caps Geophysical cable spacer

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Semi-Crystalline Engineering Thermoplastics

Key Characteristics
Moderate cost, strength Moderate temperature resistance

Good chemical resistance

Good bearing and wear properties Low COF

Difficult to bond

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Semi-Crystalline Engineering Thermoplastics

Materials
Polyamide (PA) Nylon Polyoxymethylene (POM) Acetal Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE)

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Nylon (PA)
Strengths
Good strength Good toughness Fair heat resistance Good chemical resistance Low COF

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Nylon (PA)
Limitations

Strong acidic environments Areas where moisture absorption is of concern Areas experiencing high operating temperatures

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Nylon (PA)
Applications
Film Automotive Electrical/electronics Consumer goods

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Cast PA vs. Extruded PA

Extruded nylon can be produced in almost any grade Cast nylon grades are limited to Type 6, Type 6 1/2 and some Type 12 Generally Nylon 6/6 and Nylon 6 (cast or extruded) are interchangeable in most applications (physical property differences are minor) Nylon 6/6 is stronger and stiffer than Nylon 6, and has more resistance to compression Nylon 6 has better elongation values than Nylon 6/6, providing better ductility Cast Nylon can be produced in large profiles and custom shapes, and is generally less expensive than extruded grades

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Acetal (POM)
Strengths
Good dimensional stability Good wear resistance Excellent strength Excellent stiffness Good rigidity Low moisture absorption Low COF

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Acetal (POM)
Limitations
Centerline porosity in copolymers Using copolymer in hot water environments (boiling/steam)

Strong acidic environments Strong alkali environments Areas experiencing high operating temperatures

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Acetal (POM)
Applications
Bearings Bushings Valve seats Washers Nozzles Spools Cams

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Thermoplastic Polyesters
Key Characteristics

Good range of mechanical properties Good dimensional stability

Superior chemical resistance

Good electrical properties

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Thermoplastic Polyesters
Materials
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)

Key Characteristics
High dimensional stability under heat High stiffness and hardness Good bearing strength Good electrical properties Good resistance to chemicals Good stress-cracking resistance Excellent flow characteristics

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Thermoplastic Polyesters
Applications
Pump components Automotive components Food packaging components Insulators

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Thermoplastic Polyesters
Caution!
Watch high temperature environments!
Use caution when recommending thermoplastic polyesters in applications requiring high temperature resistance, above 93-121oC/200-250oF.

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Ultra High Molecular Weight PE (UHMW-PE)

Strengths
Highest abrasion resistance and impact strength of any plastic Very low COF Excellent cryogenic (low temperature) material Self-lubricating FDA/USDA compliant

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Ultra High Molecular Weight PE (UHMW-PE)

Limitations
Only good until 82oC/180oF Not a self-supporting material High cost for tooling for custom extrusion and custom parts

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Ultra High Molecular Weight PE (UHMW-PE)

Applications
Guides Wear strips Liners

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

IAPD THERMOPLASTICS RECTANGLE
IMIDE MATERIALS
Key Characteristics: Very High Cost Per Pound Excellent Properties Above 400F Excellent Electrical Properties Excellent Dimensional Stability Low Coefficient of Friction AMORPHOUS HIGH PERFORMANCE PLASTICS
Key Characteristics High Cost High Temperature High Strength & Good Stiffness Good Chemical Resistance Transparency Hot Water & Steam Resistance Materials: Polysulfone Polyetherimide Polyethersulfone Polyarylsulfone

Materials: PI PAI PBI

SEMI-CRYSTALLINE HIGH PERFORMACE PLASTICS

Key Characteristics: High Cost High Temperature High Strength Good Electrical Properties Outstanding Chemical Resistance Low Coefficient of Friction Good Toughness Materials: PVDF PTFE ECTFE FEP PFA PPS PEEK

SEMI-CRYSTALLINE PLASTICS

AMORPHOUS PLASTICS

AMORPHOUS ENGINEERING PLASTICS

Key Characteristics: Moderate Cost Moderate Temperature Resistance Moderate Strength Good Impact Resistance Translucency Good Dimensional Stability Good Optical Qualities Materials: Polycarbonate Modified PPO Modified PPE Thermoplastic Urethane

SEMI-CRYSTALLINE ENGINEERING PLASTICS

Key Characteristics: Moderate Cost Moderate Temperature Resistance Moderate Strength Good Chemical Resistance Good Bearing and Wear Properties Low Coefficient of Friction Difficult to Bond Materials: Nylon Acetal PET PBT UHMW-PE

AMORPHOUS COMMODITY PLASTICS

Key Characteristics: Low Cost Low Temperature Resistance] Low Strength Good Dimensional Stability Bond Well Typically Transparent Materials: Acrylic Polystyrene ABS PVC PETG CAB

SEMI-CRYSTALLINE COMMODITY PLASTICS

Key Characteristics: Low Cost Low Temperature Resistance Low Strength Excellent Chemical Resistance Low Coefficient of Friction Near Zero Moisture Absorption Very Good Electrical Properties Good Toughness Materials: Polyethylene Polypropylene Polymetnylpentene(TPX)

AMORPHOUS PLASTICS KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Soften Over a Broad Range Of Temperatures Easy to Thermoform Tend to Be Transparent Bond Well Using Adhesives and Solvents Prone To Stress Cracking Poor Fatigue Resistance Stuctural Applications Only (Not for Bearing & Wear)

SEMI-CRYSTALLINE PLASTICS KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Sharp Melting Point Difficult to Thermoform Tend to Be Opaque Difficult To Bond Using Adhesives and Solvents Good Resistance To Stress Cracking Good Fatigue Resistance Good For Bearing and Wear, As Well As Structural Applications

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4