ABS: (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Provides good thermal and dimensional stability, as well as good scratch resistance. Therrnoforrnable haircell sheets have a textured surface that is excellent for hiding cuts and scratches. Uses: Ideal for machined, flat, and vacuum-formed parts in the food and refrigeration industries. Used to fabricate furniture, workstations, displays, guarding, and partitions.
Acetal Copolymer: Stiff, high-strength material is easy to machine, with enhanced dimensional stability, low coefficient of friction, and excellent wear properties, especially in wet environments. Uses: For scraper blades, industrial bearings, electrical components, food processing applications, medical applications, and other applications that require close tolerances.
Cast Nylon 6: Unmodified cast type 6 nylon is the strongest and hardest of all the nylon 6 grades.
Cell Cast Acrylic: Provides the best optical quality, highest long-term design stress, and highest chemical resistance of any acrylic sheet, as well as superior weatherability and ease of fabrication.
CPVC: (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) Similar to PVC, with greater flexibility and increased chemical and heat resistance for use in more demanding environments. Uses: Pipe systems, lamp housings, and parts for the dental industry.
Extruded Acrylic: Sheets have a high molecular weight that lends itself well to thermoforming, bending, and flame polishing. Also provides excellent weather and impact resistance and low heat loss. Uses: Commonly used in fabrication, picture framing, skylights, displays, signage, and lighting applications.
Extruded Nylon 6/6: Food Contact Grade. Ultra-high performance, bearing-grade PA6 material provides superior wear resistance and load bearing capability. Uses: Commonly used for smaller machined parts, such as electrical insulators and food contact parts.
HDPE: (High-Density Polyethylene) Has good insulating properties, is easy to weld, and retains toughness at low temperatures. HDPE has low steam permeability, good electrical and dielectric properties. Uses: Ideal for use in pumps, valves, and in the medical and sewage industries.
LDPE: (Low-Density Polyethylene) Extremely flexible low-density polyethylene is easy to clean, lightweight, and doesn't absorb moisture. Uses: Commonly used for fabricated parts in which chemical and corrosion resistance is required. Also used for impact pads and thermoforming applications.
PAI: (Polyamide-imide) Offers excellent compressive strength and high impact strength. Available in Electrical Grade and Bearing Grade.
PEEK: (Polyetheretherketone) Used as an alternative to fluoropolymers in hostile environments, PEEK has good chemical, hydrolysis, and high-temperature resistance. It can also be used continuously in hot water or steam without permanent loss in physical properties and has very low smoke and toxic gas emission when exposed to flame. Uses: For structural parts, bushings, bearings, seals, and backup rings in aggressive chemical and high-temperature environments.
PEI: (Polyetherimide) Food Contact Grade Amorphous, high-performance copolymer has exceptional flame and heat resistance and maintains consistent dielectric properties over a wide frequency range. It is highly resistant to hydrolysis and acidic solutions, and capable of withstanding multiple autoclaving cycles. Uses: Structural components for high-performance applications such as analytical instrumentation and electrical/electronic insulators.
PET-P: (Polyester) Food Contact Grade Polyethylene terephthalate polyester has the best dimensional stability of any plastic, as well as excellent wear resistance and a low coefficient of friction. A melting point of nearly 150 degrees above that of acetals makes it suitable for use in precision mechanical parts for high-load and high-wear applications. Uses: For scraper blades, industrial bearings, electrical components, food processing, and other applications requiring close tolerances.
PETG: (Copolyester) Food Contact Grade Glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate can be vacuum-formed to high definition and excellent cold temperature impact strength. Accepts surface printing with offset or screen printing techniques. Uses: Typical applications include videotape shelves, revolving merchandise racks, indoor signs, photo frames, and point-of-purchase, slat-wall inventory, greeting card, and menu displays.
Polycarbonate: General Purpose-Naturally transparent, crystal-clear sheets have excellent aesthetic properties, high impact strength, and good formability. Gray and bronze tinted sheets provide 50% less light transmission. Uses: Typical applications include glazing and security, as well as injection molding and sheet film applications, including lenses, compact discs, visors, and instrument panels. Machine Grade-Thicker sheets have a higher tensile strength and maximum temperature for improved formability.
Polypropylene: Food Contact Grade-Polypropylene is frequently machined into parts requiring good chemical resistance. It has excellent electrical properties and little or no moisture absorption. This plastic also has the ability to carry light loads for a long period in widely varying temperatures. Uses: For parts requiring good chemical or corrosion resistance, food packaging, laboratory equipment, automotive components, valves, and fittings.
PVC Type I: (Polyvinyl Chloride) Rated as self-extinguishing, PVC Type I has exceptional chemical resistance, good insulation properties, low moisture absorption, and high mechanical and tensile strengths. Can be easily cemented and welded. Uses: Ideal for use in structural building materials, plumbing applications, electrical insulation, signage, and modeling.
UHMW: (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) Ideally suited for wear applications, especially in contact with metals. Can be easily machined with ordinary woodworking tools. Material is moisture, odor, and stain resistant. Uses: Widely used in industrial applications such as chute linings, dock bumpers, paper machine parts, and conveyor wear strips.
UHMW-PE: (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) Ideally suited for wear applications, especially in contact with metals. Can be easily machined with ordinary woodworking tools. Material is moisture, odor, and stain resistant. Uses: Widely used in industrial applications such as chute linings, dock bumpers, paper machine parts, and conveyor wear strips.
