AMORPHOUS PLASTICS GENERAL PROPERTIES SEMI-CRYSTALLINE PLASTICS GENERAL PROPERTIES

Soften over a wide range of temperatures Random molecular Distinct & Sharp melting point Random molecular
Lower Specific Gravity orientation in both Higher Specific Gravity orientation in molten
Lower Tensile Strength and Tensile Modulus molten and solid Higher Tensile Strength and Tensile Modulus phase but densely
Higher Ductility phases. Lower Ductility packed crystallites
Lower Creep Resistance Higher Creep Resistance in solid phase.
Tend to be Transparent Tend to be Translucent or opaque
Higher Dimensional Stability Lower Dimensional Stability
Lower fatigue resistance Higher fatigue resistance
Higher Surface Appearance Higher Surface Appearance
Bond well using adhesives and solvents Difficult to bond using adhesives and solvents
Lower Chemical Resistance and Résistance to Stress Cracking Higher Chemical Resistance and Résistance to Stress Cracking
Structural applications only (not for bearing and wear) Good for bearing and wear, as well as for structural applications
AMORPHOUS PERFORMANCE PLASTICS SEMI-CRYSTALLINE PERFORMANCE PLASTICS
KEY PROPERTIES EXAMPLES KEY PROPERTIES EXAMPLES
High cost High cost
High temperature resistance POLYSULPHONE (PSU) PVDF
High temperature resistance
High strength and good stiffness POLYETHERIMIDE (PEI) High strength PTFE
High impact resistance POLYETHERSULPHONE (PES) Outstanding electrical properties ECTFE
Good chemical resistance POLYARYLSULPHONE (PAS) Outstanding chemical resistance FEP
Hot water and steam resistance Low co-efficient of friction PFA
Good toughness PPS
PEEK

AMORPHOUS ENGINEERING PLASTICS SEMI-CRYSTALLINE ENGINEERING PLASTICS

KEY PROPERTIES EXAMPLES KEY PROPERTIES EXAMPLES
Moderate cost Moderate cost
Moderate temperature resistance PC Moderate temperature resistance PA (NYLON)
Moderate strength and stiffness MODIFIED PPO Moderate strength POM (ACETAL)
Good impact resistance MODIFIED PPE Good impact resistance PET
Good dimensional stability THERMOPLASTIC URETHANE Good chemical resistance PBT
Typically translucent Good bearing and wear properties PE-UHMW
Good optical qualities Low co-efficient of friction
Difficult to bond

AMORPHOUS COMMODITY PLASTICS SEMI-CRYSTALLINE COMMODITY PLASTICS

KEY PROPERTIES EXAMPLES KEY PROPERTIES EXAMPLES
Low cost Low cost
Low temperature resistance PMMA (ACRYLIC) Low temperature resistance PE-LD
Low strength and stiffness PS Low strength PE-HD
Good dimensional stability ABS Good toughness PP
Bond well PVC Excellent chemical resistance POLYMETHYLPENTENE (TPX)
Typically translucent PETG Near zero moisture absorption
Good electrical properties
CAB

IMIDE MATERIALS
KEY PROPERTIES EXAMPLES
Very high cost PI
Excellent high temperature properties PAI
Excellent dimensional stability PBI
Low co-efficient of friction
Tangram Technology Ltd.: Issue 4: September 2005
COMMON POLYMERS - PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS
ABS - Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene LCP - Liquid Crystal Polymer PC - Polycarbonate PET - Polyester PPS - Polyphenylene sulfide PU - Polyurethane
Properties Applications Properties Applications Properties Applications Properties Applications Properties Applications Properties Applications
Tough, hard and rigid Telephone Excellent strength but High- Excellent strength and Riot shields, Rigid, clear and Carbonated High temperature Chemical Flexible, clear, highly Soles and heels
and can be produced handsets, expensive. Good high performance toughness with good optical lenses extremely tough with drink bottles, resistance (with non- pumps, high elastic with high for sports shoes,
in high gloss colours. electronic temperature engineering dimensional stability, and headlamp excellent dimensional video and audio burning continuous performance impact resistance, automotive
Good chemical housings, properties, can be applications dielectric strength, sets, vandal stability and high tapes, clothing use at 240ºC), low electrical dielectric strength, structural
resistance and luggage, auto used in thin walls (as such as flame retardancy and proof glazing, dielectric strength. and handles. temperature connectors, chemical resistance, members,
dimensional stability; parts, consumer thin as 0.2 mm). Parts electrical impact resistance medical items, Moderate chemical endurance, good medical and abrasion computer
high creep resistance, products, pipe can withstand connectors and (best among clear safety helmets, resistance, low chemical resistance, equipment, TV resistance. It can be housings,
can be electroplated, fittings, waste autoclaving to 135 ºC. machine parts. rigid materials). CD's, and power resistance to strong and flame retardance. and automotive made into films, solid furniture, seals
moderate strength, pipes, computer High chemical Surgical devices. Susceptible to stress tool housings. acids and bases, is components and mouldings, or flexible and gaskets,
inexpensive. housings resistance and flame cracking with aromatic notch sensitive, not other high stress foams. Outdoor skateboard
Tendency to stress (electroplated on retardancy. Very low solvents and is for outdoor use or in parts. exposure turns brittle. wheels and
crack. the inside), and coefficient of thermal difficult to machine. hot water. packaging
automotive trim. expansion. High foams.
tensile modulus from PP - Polypropylene
10 to 24 GPa. PE - Polyethylene (Low Density: PE- PF - Phenol formaldehyde (Phenolic)
LD, Linear Low Density: PE-LLD, High Properties Applications
EP - Epoxy Density: PE-HD) PVC - Polyvinyl chloride
Properties Applications High lubricity and high Sterilisable
Properties Applications Properties Applications Hard brittle opaque Ashtrays, lamp resistance to flexing hospital ware, Properties Applications
MF - Melamine formaldehyde (excellent for living medical
Rigid, clear and tough Adhesives, PE is really a family of PE applications but can be holders, PVC is one of the Pipes and
with good chemical coatings, Properties Applications polymers and all have vary with the strengthened with saucepan hinges), excellent syringes, most versatile of all fittings, wire and
resistance. Air encapsulation varying properties. type of material. fillers such as wood handles and dielectric strength and beakers, and polymers. The cable insulation,
Hard, opaque (but Decorative pulp and cellulose. early consumer chemical resistance, parts for auto
curable, highly fillable, compounds, wide colour range), laminates, PE-LD/PE-LLD: PE-LD/PE-LLD: polymer cannot be window profiles,
with low shrinkage aerospace Flexible, translucent Squeeze bottles, Good electrical electronic good impact strength, interiors, used in the natural extruded film
tough with high lighting fixtures, properties and products such as and high solvent vacuum flasks.
and low susceptibility applications. surface hardness and picnic ware, with a waxy feel and toys, carrier state but and sheet, and
to stress formation. has good toughness bags sacks and chemical and heat telephones and resistance. Can be compounding can medical
scratch resistance. toilet seats, resistance. radios. sterilised by steam
Good adhesion. High High resistance to general purpose at low temperatures other packaging. create an enormous applications.
tensile strength. High and low cost. Gas and water and has good heat range of properties
creep, heat, moisture, moulding resistance. It is
heat resistance, high boiling water. High compounds and PE-HD: Semi-rigid, pipes. from rigid products
heat deformation translucent and very PE-HD: Kitchen PI - Polyimide (Aramids) inexpensive and (window frames)
shrinkage, easy to food containers electroplatable. It is
resistance, good crack. (e.g. dishes). tough, good chemical ware, chemical through to flexible
aging properties. resistance with low drums, carrier Properties Applications difficult to paint, print sheets and hoses.
Good electrical and water absorption and bags, food Rigid, opaque with Bearing on, or bond to. It will Flexible grades are
dielectrical properties. low cost. wrapping high impact and materials, thrust be attacked by fuming easy to process. Rigid
Odourless, tasteless, PA - Polyamide (Nylon) materials. Car dielectric strength, washers, and nitric acid and grades have a high
low flammability. petrol tanks. high heat resistance semiconductor degraded by UV and dielectric strength,
Properties Applications ionising radiation.
Systems can be (260ºC continuous, up wafer clamps. outdoor stability,
formulated to meet Rigid translucent and Gear wheels, to 480ºC intermittent), chemical resistance,
specific requirements. tough with moderate zips, bearings, and a low coefficient good moisture
strength. Inexpensive pressure tubing, PEEK - Polyether ether ketone
of thermal expansion. PS - Polystyrene stability, and low cost.
but poor dimensional kitchen utensils Properties Applications Material has low heat
stability due to water and blow resistance.
absorption mouldings, and High tensile and Microwave grills, Properties Applications
E/VAL - Ethylene vinyl alcohol PMMA - Polymethyl methacrylate
(hygroscopic nature). clothing fabrics. flexural strength, high nuclear reactor Brittle (except in high Inexpensive
Properties Applications Available in many impact strength, and a components, Properties Applications impact grades: PS- packaging
high fatigue limit. High surgical tools. HI), easy to mould, it materials, pens, SI - Silicone
Flexible and rubbery. Flexible tubing different forms and Hard, rigid, glass clear Signs and leaflet
the mechanical heat distortion is inexpensive, safety razors,
E/VAL films are for various temperature, high with good weather dispensers, Properties Applications
hydrophilic, crystal applications from properties can be resistance and can be automotive lens machines well, and flatware, and CD
significantly improved chemical resistance, possesses excellent jewel boxes. In Possesses Computer chips,
clear, glossy and do beer tubing to and high radiation used in casting, clusters, lighting dimensional stability IC, cooking
not need special vacuum cleaner by the use of glass thermoforming and diffusers. transparency. Low foam format, PS
fibre reinforcement. resistance. Good mechanical strength. is used to make and good electrical ware, and food
antistatic treatments. hoses, electrical properties, fabricating. and dielectrical containers, high
Good barrier packaging of Generally resistant to high-throughput,
fuels and oils good slip and wear thin-walled, properties over wide performance
properties for gases textiles. E/VAL characteristics, and frequency and window seals.
and aromatic powder coatings (dependent on type of easy-to-mould
PA used). Steam low flammability. Easy POM - Polyacetal (Acetal) parts such as temperature ranges. It
materials. Its are used processing, no has flame resistance,
permeability depends chemical plants, sterilisable. disposable
thermal after- Properties Applications coffee cups. low water absorption,
on temperature and buildings, steel treatment of injection moderate thermal
humidity. It has a structures, Rigid, translucent and Business
moulding. tough with good machine, toys, shock resistance, and
working range from 70 roads, and PB - Polybutylene PTFE - Polytetrafluorethylene and average polymeric
to -70ºC. High offshore spring like qualities. It handles and other fluoroplastics (FEP, PFA, CTFE,
has good dimensional knobs, aerosol mechanical
coefficient of friction. engineering. Properties Applications ECTFE, ETFE) properties. It has a
PES - Polyether sulphone stability and resistant valves, clock
Semi-rigid, tough with Boil-in-the-bag to creep and fatigue. and watch parts Properties Applications high cost, limited
high flexibility (even at films, industrial Properties Applications High abrasion and and bearings. Semi-rigid, translucent Non-stick shelf-life, and a long
Ionomer low temperatures), pipes, tubes and curing time.
This expensive Electric chemical resistance. with exceptionally low coatings.
Properties Applications high abrasion sheets. Used for material is connectors. coefficient of friction gaskets,
resistance, high central heating electroplatable, has and excellent packings,
High impact strength Tough, scratch- resistance to chemical system pipes PPO - Polyphenylene oxide chemical resistance. bearings, high SAN - Styrene acrylonitrile
at low temperatures, resistant golf high strength, good
attack, and good and components toughness, good High temperature and low
puncture and abrasion balls, footwear resistance to hot because of good Properties Applications stability (to 260ºC) temperature Properties Applications
resistance, high melt components, dielectric strength,
water and to stress resistance to hot and dimensional Rigid, opaque. Easily Coffee pot and and low temperature electrical and Rigid, transparent and Sterilisable
elasticity, and good glass coatings, cracking. Good barrier water. toughness (to - medical
thermoforming abrasion stability. attacked by some washing tough, resistant to hospital ware,
properties but has hydrocarbons, machine parts, 160ºC). Good products, other stress cracking and medical
properties. Low resistant poor handling in the weathering resistance uses needing
sealing temperatures, surfaces and although it resists microwave crazing. syringes,
form of semi-finished many chemicals. components. and electrical excellent beakers, and
high sealing seam buoys. Can goods and mouldings properties. Low dielectric
strength, resistance to replace glass Excellent dimensional parts for auto
after processing stability, low moisture mechanical strength. strength, interiors,
grease, oil, and and be used in because of the start of Expensive. chemical, and
solvents packaging films absorption, and high vacuum flasks.
crystal mechanical and temperature
and sealants. rearrangement. resistance.
dielectric strength.

Tangram Technology Ltd.: Issue 4: September 2005

THERMOPLASTICS PROCESSING METHODS - FEATURES
Equipment Tooling Cycle Economic Wall Enclosed Very Small Intricate
Processing Method Precision Inserts Threads
Cost Cost Time Quantity Thickness Volumes Items Shapes
Injection Moulding High High < 1 min Good > 10K Good control No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Blow Moulding High Moderate < 1 min Moderate > 10K Poor control Yes No Yes No Yes

Extrusion High Moderate Continuous Good > 5 km Good control No No Yes No No

Rotational Moulding Moderate Low > 3 min Moderate 100 to 10K Poor control Yes No No Yes No

Thermoforming Moderate Low 1 - 3 min Poor 100 to 10K Poor control No No No No No

THERMOPLASTICS PROCESSING METHODS - MATERIALS

PS/PS-
Processing Method ABS EVA PA PC PE-LD PE-HD PMMA POM PP PVC-U PVC-P SAN
HI

Injection Moulding Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Blow Moulding No No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Extrusion Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Rotational Moulding Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Thermoforming Yes Low No Yes No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No

THERMOSETS PROCESSING METHODS

Processing Method Equipment Cost Tooling Cost Cycle Time Precision Economic Quantity
Comp. Moulding Moderate High 2 - 5 min Good > 10K

Transfer Moulding Moderate High 2 - 5 min Good > 10K

Injection Moulding High High < 2 min Good > 10K

Liquid Casting None Low > 5 min Moderate <100

DMC and SMC Moderate High 2 - 5 min Good > 10K

RIM and RRIM Moderate Moderate 2 - 5 min Moderate 100 to 10K

GRP (Hand Layup) None Low > 5 min Poor <100

GRP (Spray & Match) Moderate Moderate 2 - 5 min Moderate 100 to 10K

Filament Winding Moderate Low > 5 min Poor <100

Pultrusion Moderate Moderate Continuous Moderate > 5 km

Tangram Technology Ltd.: Issue 4: September 2005