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: Materials:
Very High Cost Per Pound PI
Excellent Properties Above 400F PAI
Excellent Electrical Properties PBI
Excellent Dimensional Stability
Low Coefficient of Friction
AMORPHOUS HIGH PERFORMANCE PLASTICS SEMI-CRYSTALLINE HIGH PERFORMACE PLASTICS
Key Characteristics Materials: Key Characteristics: Materials:
High Cost Polysulfone High Cost PVDF
High Temperature Polyetherimide High Temperature PTFE

SEM -I CRY STALLINE PLAST ICS

AM OR PHO US PLASTICS

High Strength & Good Stiffness Polyethersulfone High Strength ECTFE

Good Chemical Resistance Polyarylsulfone Good Electrical Properties FEP
Transparency Outstanding Chemical Resistance PFA
Hot Water & Steam Resistance Low Coefficient of Friction PPS
Good Toughness PEEK
AMORPHOUS ENGINEERING PLASTICS SEMI-CRYSTALLINE ENGINEERING PLASTICS
Key Characteristics: Materials: Key Characteristics: Materials:
Moderate Cost Polycarbonate Moderate Cost Nylon
Moderate Temperature Resistance Modified PPO Moderate Temperature Resistance Acetal
Moderate Strength Modified PPE Moderate Strength PET
Good Impact Resistance Thermoplastic Urethane Good Chemical Resistance PBT
Translucency Good Bearing and Wear Properties UHMW-PE
Good Dimensional Stability Low Coefficient of Friction
Good Optical Qualities Difficult to Bond

AMORPHOUS COMMODITY PLASTICS SEMI-CRYSTALLINE COMMODITY PLASTICS

Key Characteristics: Materials: Key Characteristics: Materials:
Low Cost Acrylic Low Cost Polyethylene
Low Temperature Resistance] Polystyrene Low Temperature Resistance Polypropylene
Low Strength ABS Low Strength Polymetnylpentene(TPX)
Good Dimensional Stability PVC Excellent Chemical Resistance
Bond Well PETG Low Coefficient of Friction
Typically Transparent CAB Near Zero Moisture Absorption
Very Good Electrical Properties
Good Toughness

AMORPHOUS PLASTICS KEY CHARACTERISTICS: SEMI-CRYSTALLINE PLASTICS KEY CHARACTERISTICS:

Soften Over a Broad Range Of Temperatures Sharp Melting Point
Easy to Thermoform Difficult to Thermoform
Tend to Be Transparent Tend to Be Opaque
Bond Well Using Adhesives and Solvents Difficult To Bond Using Adhesives and Solvents
Prone To Stress Cracking Good Resistance To Stress Cracking
Poor Fatigue Resistance Good Fatigue Resistance
Stuctural Applications Only (Not for Bearing & Wear) 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: Materials:
Very High Cost Per Pound PI
Excellent Properties Above 400F PAI
Excellent Electrical Properties PBI
Excellent Dimensional Stability
Low Coefficient of Friction
AMORPHOUS HIGH PERFORMANCE PLASTICS SEMI-CRYSTALLINE HIGH PERFORMACE PLASTICS
Key Characteristics Materials: Key Characteristics: Materials:
High Cost Polysulfone High Cost PVDF
High Temperature Polyetherimide High Temperature PTFE

SEM -I CRY STALLINE PLAST ICS

AM OR PHO US PLASTICS

High Strength & Good Stiffness Polyethersulfone High Strength ECTFE

Good Chemical Resistance Polyarylsulfone Good Electrical Properties FEP
Transparency Outstanding Chemical Resistance PFA
Hot Water & Steam Resistance Low Coefficient of Friction PPS
Good Toughness PEEK
AMORPHOUS ENGINEERING PLASTICS SEMI-CRYSTALLINE ENGINEERING PLASTICS
Key Characteristics: Materials: Key Characteristics: Materials:
Moderate Cost Polycarbonate Moderate Cost Nylon
Moderate Temperature Resistance Modified PPO Moderate Temperature Resistance Acetal
Moderate Strength Modified PPE Moderate Strength PET
Good Impact Resistance Thermoplastic Urethane Good Chemical Resistance PBT
Translucency Good Bearing and Wear Properties UHMW-PE
Good Dimensional Stability Low Coefficient of Friction
Good Optical Qualities Difficult to Bond

AMORPHOUS COMMODITY PLASTICS SEMI-CRYSTALLINE COMMODITY PLASTICS

Key Characteristics: Materials: Key Characteristics: Materials:
Low Cost Acrylic Low Cost Polyethylene
Low Temperature Resistance] Polystyrene Low Temperature Resistance Polypropylene
Low Strength ABS Low Strength Polymetnylpentene(TPX)
Good Dimensional Stability PVC Excellent Chemical Resistance
Bond Well PETG Low Coefficient of Friction
Typically Transparent CAB Near Zero Moisture Absorption
Very Good Electrical Properties
Good Toughness

AMORPHOUS PLASTICS KEY CHARACTERISTICS: SEMI-CRYSTALLINE PLASTICS KEY CHARACTERISTICS:

Soften Over a Broad Range Of Temperatures Sharp Melting Point
Easy to Thermoform Difficult to Thermoform
Tend to Be Transparent Tend to Be Opaque
Bond Well Using Adhesives and Solvents Difficult To Bond Using Adhesives and Solvents
Prone To Stress Cracking Good Resistance To Stress Cracking
Poor Fatigue Resistance Good Fatigue Resistance
Stuctural Applications Only (Not for Bearing & Wear) Good For Bearing and Wear, As Well As Structural Applications

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4