Chart of Plastic Materials Advantages, Disadvantages

and Industry Examples

The following chart provides additional information about various plastic materials
and their uses.

Disadvanta Industry
Plastic Material Advantages ges Examples
Clear plastic,
very moldable,
inexpensive, Disposable
recyclable, cups,
high chemical disposable
resistance, applications
high electrical , decorative
resistance, applications
heat distortion Cracks and , electrical
Polystyrene ~200F breaks easily applications
Picture
Marginal frames,
HIPS Very moldable, crack and shower
(High Impact relatively break walls, food
Polystyrene) inexpensive resistance containers
Pallets,
tanks, truck
Chemically bed liners,
resistant, high tote bins,
impact tanks, self-
resistant, high High mold lubricating
electrical shrinkage tendency
resistance, not suited for makes it
fairly tight ideal for
economical, dimensional non-
can be UV tolerances, stick/low
Polyethylene protected with cosmetic friction
(PE) additive deficiencies applications
High level of
stiffness, light
weight, high
heat Tool cases,
deflection, applications
chemical Difficult to with a living
resistance at process, high hinge, food
Polypropylene room mold containers,
(PP) temperatures shrinkage acid tanks
 Cases of all
types, bath
tubs,
Engineered fenders,
plastic that can instrument
be customized panels,
to desired automotive
levels of UV sensitive applications
stiffness, requires a ,
ABS hardness, heat UV protective recreational
(Acrylonitrile deflection, and cap layer for vehicles,
Butadiene many other extended many
Styrene) characteristics exposure others

Very high
chemical
resistance,
stain resistant,
stiffer than
ABS, high room Shower
temp. impact surrounds,
strength, moldings,
PVC natural flame kick panels,
(Polyvinyl retardant Difficult to display
Chloride) qualities process cases

Easy to
process, very
cosmetic, Decorative
dimensional fascia,
stability, equipment
impressions covers,
well off a mass
textured tool, transportati
maintains tight on
dimensional applications
tolerances, Not as stiff , outdoor
retains some of as pure PVC, applications
PVCs natural heat with UV
flame distortion protective
retardant point lower cap, many
PVC/ABS (alloy) qualities than ABS others
PVC/Acrylic Easy to Low heat Aircraft
process, highly distortion interiors,
customizable point ~160F medical
alloy, high equipment
impact covers,
 transportati
on
applications
, electronic
enclosures,
resistance, outdoor
very high applications
chemical and with UV
stain protective
resistance cap
Low chemical
resistance to Visors,
certain plastic
Extremely high substances guards,
impact (oil, gasoline, transportati
resistance, harsh on
high clarity chemicals), components
good for can be (headlights,
transparent difficult to taillights,
parts, precision process, instrument
molding, good higher panels),
insulator, high material and appliance
heat distortion processing drawers,
Polycarbonate point ~270F cost skylights
When
compared to
true
polycarbonate Computer
less When and
expensive, compared to machine
lower heat true enclosures,
distortion polycarbonat electrical
~240F, much e reduced applications
easier to clarity, lower , cellular
process, higher heat phones,
Polycarbonate/A chemical distortion automotive
BS resistance ~240F applications
TPO High impact Can be Car
(thermoplastic strength (even difficult to bumpers
olefin) at cold process due and other
temperatures), to material automotive
high sag during applications
dimensional heating , chemical
stability (low shields,
mold gear covers
shrinkage),
stiffness, high
 chemical
resistance
Structural
Very easy to Not UV automotive
process, high stable parts, hand
PETG clarity good unsuitable tools,
(polyethylene- for transparent for extended industrial
terephthalate) parts exposure components

Plastic Material Characteristics

Here are some general physical characteristics that are used to describe the unique
properties of each plastic material grade. The material selected will depend on the
project requirements.

Impact Strength how much abuse can a material take before it

breaks
Thermal Conductivity the amount of heat that can be conducted
through the material
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion amount of expansion and
contraction at a given temperature
Chemical Resistance affect of chemical interaction
Stiffness (Flexural Modulus) Rigidity of material
Heat Deflection the temperature at which the material will distort
Hardness material resistance to abrasion, chipping, and cracking
Flammability extent to which a material will support combustion
Mold Shrinkage amount of shrink after the plastic is removed from
the mold
Forming Range temperature range at which the plastic can be
thermoformed
Tensile strength Resistance to being pulled apart
Dielectric Strength Electrical insulation