Material, Knowledge

Types of General Purpose Engineering Plastics

General Purpose Engineering Plastics

Engineering plastic is rapidly growing family of versatile materials contains the most cost effective alternatives to traditional materials such as metal and wood. Overall, these materials exhibit good mechanical strength, impact resistance, wear properties, dimensional stability, and great machinability. There are many types of engineering plastics in the world, some of which are as follows.

1. Nylon ® - Extruded & Cast

The exceptional bearing and wear properties of Nylon® make it one of the most widely used plastics in the world. Nylon® is frequently used as a replacement for bronze, brass, aluminum, steel and other metals, as well as other plastics, wood, and rubber.

• High tensile strength and modulus of elasticity Nylon exhibits high impact resistance, a high heat distortion temperature. It resists wear, abrasion, and vibration. Nylon can withstand contact with chemicals, alkalies, dilute acids or oxidizing agents.

• Available Types: 6/6 (extruded), 6 (cast) - Premium Brands: Nylatron & MC 901

• Available in Natural, Black, MD, Glass-Filled, Oil-Filled & various other compounds.

2. ABS - Engineering Grade

ABS has perhaps the best balance of properties when cost is a factor. It has good chemical and stress-resistance as well as a combination of toughness with rigidity and creep resistance. Easily machined, tough, low cost rigid thermoplastic material. ABS exhibits high impact strength & is ideal for turning, drilling, and milling. Good chemical and stress cracking resistance to inorganic salt solutions, alkalis, acids, and some oils. Excellent abrasion resistance; electrical properties, moisture and creep resistance.

3. Polycarbonate - Machine Grade Plate & Rod

Machine-grade polycarbonate is an amorphous thermoplastic material with high-impact strength, high modulus of elasticity, and good dimensional stability. These properties, in addition to good electrical characteristics, make machine grade polycarbonate stock shapes an excellent choice for electrical/electronic applications. Its strength, impact resistance and transparency also make it an ideal material for certain transparent structural applications such as sight glasses and windows.

4. Acetal Copolymer & Delrin ® Acetal Homopolymer

Acetal provides high strength and stiffness coupled with enhanced dimensional stability and ease of machining. As a semi-crystalline material, acetal is also characterized by a low coefficient of friction and good wear properties –– especially in wet environments. Because of its high strength, modulus, and resistance to impact and fatigue, Acetal is used as a weight-saving metal replacement.

• Copolymer acetal is preferred to Delrin where centerline porosity is concerned.

• Premium Brand: Acetron GP

5. Nylatron® GS Nylon - Extruded

Nylatron® GS is a molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) filled nylon offering improved strength and rigidity. With a lower coefficient of linear thermal expansion than Nylon 101. Nylatron GS is the extruded grade, whereas Nylatron GSM is the Cast Grade. Nylatron GS parts maintain better fit and clearances, and have less tendency to seize as bearings.

6. PVC - Type 1 Grey - Sheets & Rods

PVC Sheets & Rods are available from stock in dozens of sizes. PVC is the most widely used member of the vinyl family. Common applications include chemical processing tanks, valves, fittings & piping systems. PVC Sheets, Rods & Tubes offer excellent corrosion and weather resistance. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is a good electrical and thermal insulator. PVC is also self-extinguishing per UL flammability tests. PVC may be used to temperatures of 140°F (60°C).

7. Turcite ® A (Blue)

Turcite® is a high-quality, internally lubricated material that is ideal for applications with demanding wear and friction requirements. Its low water absorption enables components made with Turcite® to retain their integrity over long periods. Turcite® A is a resilient formulation that performs well under vibratory and dynamic loading

8. Turcite ® X (Red)

Turcite® is a high-quality, internally lubricated material that is ideal for applications with demanding wear and friction requirements. Its low water absorption enables components made with Turcite® to retain their integrity over long periods. Turcite® X has minimal hygroscopic characteristics and low thermal expansion properties, resulting in a structurally stable material.

9. Delrin® AF Blend

Delrin® AF Blend is a unique thermoplastic material for use in moving parts in which low friction and long wear life are important. It is a combination of PTFE fibers uniformly dispersed in Delrin® acetal resin.

• Delrin® 100AF Blend includes 13% PTFE Fiber.

• Also available in full-strength 20% PTFE on a custom order basis.

• For extended life, consider Ertalyte TX as an excellent, long-wear replacement for Delrin AF

10. Ertalyte® PET-P

Ertalyte® PET-P is an unreinforced, semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyester characterized as having the best dimensional stability coupled with excellent wear resistance, a low coefficient of friction, high strength, and resistance to moderately acidic solutions. Ertalyte® is capable of sustaining high loads and enduring wear conditions. Ertalyte® PET-P offers good chemical and abrasion resistance. Its low moisture absorption enables mechanical and electrical properties to remain virtually unaffected by moisture.

11. Ertalyte® TX

Ertalyte® TX rod for machining high-wear-resistant parts is an unreinforced semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyester (PET-P) that has a solid lubricant filler. The material has excellent performance in both highpressure and high-velocity conditions, and is ideally suited for applications involving soft metal and plastic mating surfaces. High strength and stiffness, high wear-resistance, very good dimensional stability, high creep resistance and very good chemical resistance. This combination of properties make Ertalyte TX an ideal material for machining bushings and bearings that require no startup or running lubrication. Ertalyte TX has FDA and USDA compliance and is ideal for applications in food packaging and processing equipment.