Plastic Materials Index

ABS

ABS has a number of properties that make it useful for a wide range of applications. It is a hard, ridged plastic that has a natural resistance to chemicals and holds up to wear and tear. This makes it an ideal plastic material to use in applications like football helmets, canoes, office equipment and other products. ABS’s good overall balance of properties makes it popular to use in prototyping new products.

Acetal

This thermoplastic is used in certain applications that require plastics with good mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and low friction. We provide Acetal sheets and rods in a wide range of sizes for your application, from small gear wheels to applications in the automotive industry.

Acrylic

Known by the brand names Plexiglas™ or Acrylite™, Acrylic plastic is often used as an alternative to glass as it is lightweight, resistant to shattering and naturally transparent. From window stores to decorative shelving, Acrylic has a wide range of applications.

Delrin®

As a brand of Acetal plastic, Delrin® offers the same properties in addition to having higher strength, stiffness and, fatigue endurance, and being UL 94 HB flammability compliant. The plastic is often used as an insulator for electronics and in the automotive industry.

Epoxy Glass

Epoxy Glass is a plastic material that is made from an epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth. The material has great electrical properties as well as good mechanical strength and stability. Commonly found in test boards, relays, electronic fixtures, and more applications, epoxy glass is a versatile material.

Fluoroplastics

The Fluoroplastics family includes PTFE, FEP, PFA, PVDF, and ETEFE with varying properties. They are all generally chemical resistance, have a low coefficient of friction and are resistant to extreme temperatures in addition to wear and tear.

HDPE

HDPE, or High-density polyethylene, is a low cost thermoplastic that is made from petroleum. It has a very high strength to density ratio, while also being a flexible material. Because of this the plastic has a wide range of applications from food processing equipment to playground equipment.

Kapton®

This polyimide film was developed in the late 1960s and has gained popularity as it is able to remain stable through a wide range of temperatures -463 F to 572 F. Flexible electronics and even the outside of spacesuits are examples of Kapton® in action.

Laminates

These pressure formed plastic sheets, rods and tubing are found under a couple different brand names such as Micarta™ and Garolite. They have good mechanical, electrical properties and temperature resistance.

LDPE

LDPE, or Low-density polyethylene, is made from monomer ethylene. The plastic has great toughness and is very good impact resistant while also being flexible. LDPE is an economical choice for electrical insulators and corrosion resistant work surfaces.

Lexan™

Lexan™ is a polycarbonate that is naturally optically clear and has high impact strength (100 times greater than glass) in addition to being good heat and flame resistant. Lexan™ is often used as machine guards and safety glasses because of these properties.

Mylar®

Mylar® film is a biaxially-oriented PET that has an excellent resistance to moisture and a large majority of chemicals. In addition to this the plastic can withstand extreme temperatures making it ideal for electrical insulators, gears, and even graphic arts.

Nomex®

Nomex® is a flame resistant plastic material that is commonly used in firefighting and racing equipment. It has good electrical, thermal and mechanical properties that also make it useful in electrical insulators and motor insulators.

Noryl™

Noryl™ is a PPO, or polyphenylene oxide, that has a great balance of electrical and mechanical properties, as well as a high heat resistance. The plastic also has a low moisture absorption rate that makes it great for aircraft components, automotive parts and more.

Nylon

This family of synthetic polymers has high mechanical properties, great strength and toughness, as well as being light weight and having low friction properties. This makes Nylon materials ideal for wear strips, thrust washers, gears, and more. See more information for Nylon 6/6 Extruded, Nylon 6 Cast, and Nylon Special Grades.

PAR

PAR, or polyarylate plastic, is UV resistant as well as flame resistant. This in addition to the plastic having good electrical and mechanical properties makes it an ideal material for fire helmets and face shields.

PEEK

Polyether ether ketone, better known as PEEK, is a thermoplastic polymer that is resistant to chemical and steam. It is also resistant to gamma radiation which makes it ideal for nuclear components and medical equipment.

PES

Polyethersulfone, or PES, is a tough and ridged plastic material that has good chemical and moisture resistance. It is often used in electrical components, microwave parts, and more.

PETG

Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol, or PETG, is naturally clear and is used in electronic packaging, machine guards, and impact shields due to its high impact strength and ease of fabrication.

PET

With good mechanical properties and high strength and stiffness, polyethylene terephthalate is commonly used in food processing equipment, medical equipment and electrical components.

Phenolics

Phenolics are often used in cams, gears, slides, insulators, and other applications due to the materials high mechanical strength and excellent wear properties.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is clear as glass but has much higher impact strength. This makes it great for use in machine guards, safety glass, housing shields and far more. See more information for Polycarbonate Sheet, Machine Grade Polycarbonate Plate, and Polycarbonate Rod & Tube.

Polyester Film

Polyester film has great tensile strength, a wide temperature range and great electrical properties. Making it ideal for electrical insulators, motor insulators, and more.

Polyester Glass

With good mechanical strength and excellent dimensional stability, polyester glass is the go to material for test boards, insulators, relays, and terminal strips.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is highly chemical resistant and is low cost. This means that it is a great choice for chemical tanks, cleanroom equipment, plating tanks, pipes, and many other applications.

Polystyrene

With great rigidity, stability and good electrical properties, polystyrene is often used in printing, signs, lighting fixtures, toys and many other applications.

Polysulfone

This plastic material has high heat resistance, along with high resistances to chemicals and steam. This makes it a go to material for medical and food equipment, along with electronic components.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane comes in a wide range of mechanical properties . It is used alot as a high performance elastomer with excellent dynamic properties along with its good cut, tear and abrasion resistance . We provide custom urethane for a wide range of applications such as stripper, gaskets, wheels, gears, bearings, and so much more.

PTFE Sheet and PTFE Rod/Tube

PTFE or polytetrafluoroethylene, has excellent chemical resistance and handles temperatures up to 500 F. It is commonly used in gaskets and spacers, as well as blades and seals. The material is highly chemical resistance and has a low coefficient of friction.

PVC

Polyvinylchloride, or PVC, good mechanical strength, along with high resistance to chemicals and corrosion. It is often used in pipes, cleanroom equipment, chemical tanks, work stations and more.

PVDF

Poly vinylidene fluoride is used in chemical tanks, chemical processing, cleanroom equipment and more. It has high resistances to chemicals and corrosion which make it excellent for these applications.

Radel® R

This material has a high steam resistance and can withstand temperatures up to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be found in medical components, electronic parts, food equipment and more.

Ryton®

Ryton® is a brand of polyphenylenesulfide that has a resistance to high temperatures, great strength and rigidity. This makes it great for electronic parts, valve and pump components, medical components and more.

Silicone Glass

Silicone glass can be found in electronic fixtures, terminal strips, switches and many other applications. Its great electrical properties and arc resistance give it the abilities to be used in a wide range of applications.

Staticon®

As an ESD safe material Staticon® is found in windows, doors, machine covers, and more. It has good surface hardness, is weather resistant and has great optical clarity.

Torlon®

This brand of polyamide-imide has outstanding strength and stiffness; it is weather and gamma radiation resistant. It can be found in food equipment, mechanical aircraft components, and more.

UHMW

Known for its high resistance to sliding abrasion and impact, this ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is used in conveyor strips, guide rails, chute liners, wear strips, and more.

Ultem™

Resistant to up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, polyetherimide is used in a number of industries in a variety of applications such as microwave parts, medical and food equipment, and more.

Valox™

With high dimensional stability, excellent electrical properties and good chemical resistance, Valox™ is often found in food processing equipment, filling equipment, medical equipment and more.

Vespel®

Vespel® has a temperature rating up to 572 degrees Fahrenheit; it also has high strength, outstanding bearing and wear properties, and a good chemical resistance. It is used in a number of different industries such as aerospace, nuclear, electrical and more.

Vivak®

This brand of polyethylene terephthalate glycol is as clear as glass but has excellent impact strength and toughness. It is used in POP displays, windows, signs, enclosures and more.

Vulcanized Fibre

This material can handle shock and impact very well, which is why it is found in washers, gaskets, motors, coils, transformers, and more.

Any brands of other companies referenced in this document are the trademarks and/or trade names of their respective holders.