Property Comparison

Comparing Apples with Apples

In this section, we group the more common Engineering Plastics together, in order to compare them for similar applications.

HDPE PE300, PE500, PE1000

• Low friction coefficient (same as acetal)
• Good resistance to low temperatures
• Maximum temperature use 80C
• High impact strength
• Good chemical resistance and impervious to water
• FDA approved for use with foodstuffs
• Pulleys, pumps, chopping boards, sprockets

UHMWPE

• Very low friction coefficient (lower than HDPE)
• High abrasion resistance at low loads
• Excellent resistance to low temperatures
• Maximum temperature use 80C
• Virtually unbreakable
• Good chemical resistance and impervious to water
• FDA approved for use with foodstuffs
• Hopper and chute liners, fenders, guide rails

Polypropylene

• Excellent resistance to fatigue from flexing (almost unbreakable)
• Maximum temperature resistance 100C
• Good electrical properties
• Good chemical resistance
• Impervious to water.
• Applications include: cladding, pulleys, pumps

PVC

• Flame retardant
• Good impact strength but low resistance to crack propagation
• Maximum temperature use 60C
• High electrical insulation
• Vacuum formable

Acrylic (PMMA)

• Excellent optical clarity, DIN 5036 Part 3 >92%
• Outstanding UV resistance
• Good impact performance compared to float glass
• Ease of fabrication, cutting, drilling, polishing, thermoforming, engraving
• Excellent acoustic dampening properties
• Good resistance to a range corrosive substances

Polycarbonate

• Good dimensional stability
• Good temperature resistance (-30°c +120°c)
• Very tough (high impact resistance)
• Good electrical insulating properties
• Can be used with foodstuffs
• Self extinguishing
• Electrical insulating, medical and pharmaceutical components, items for sterilising

Polyester (PETG)

• Fire rating BS476 Part 7 Class 2. Flammability rating UL94/HB
• Good Optical clarity
• Excellent forming capability, no pre-drying required when vacforming
• Very good impact strength
• FDA approved for contact use with foodstuffs (21 CFR 177.1315) USA
• Very good electrical properties
• Good chemical resistance

Acetal Copolymer

• Low moisture absorption
• Excellent dimensional stability
• High mechanical strength
• Lower friction coefficient than Nylon
• Resists hydrolysis better than acetal homopolymer
• Resists strong alkalis better than acetal homopolymer
• Same operating temp as acetal homopolymer
• Food approved in natural grade
• Applications include: bushes, bearings, rollers, pulleys, electrical insulation, wear strips

PETP

• Low moisture absorption
• Higher tensile strength & operating temperatures than acetal, but lower notched impact resistance
• Very good creep resistance/dimensional stability
• FDA approved for contact with foodstuffs
• Stable and easy to machine though nylon has greater toughness
• Applications include: Parts for food and medical equipment, precision components

Nylon 6, Nylon 66, Nylon GX, Nylon GF (Extruded)

• Nylon 6 (Extruded) - has better impact strength and mechanical dampening than 66 & GX
• Nylon 66 (Extruded) - PA66 has higher tensile strength, stiffness, creep resistance, better wear and temperature resistance than PA6
• Nylon GX (Extruded) - PAGX has better friction coefficient UV resistance and wear resistance than PA66
• Nylon 6, 66, GX, GF (Extruded) - PAGF (20% Glass) has lower water absorption, better hardness, stiffness and dimensional stability and higher temp resistance than the other nylons in this group but poorer friction coefficient
• Applications include: Gears, bearings, pulleys, wheels

Cast Nylon

• PA6G (Nat) properties are better than PA6 extruded and similar to PA66
• PA6G-HR (Black) is UV resistant and tougher than PA6G and PA6-OIL. Its friction coefficient is better than 6G but not as good as 6G-Oil Filled
• PA6G-Oil Filled has the lowest friction coefficient of all our nylons and very low moisture absorption. Excellent as a bearing material and for gears, rollers, wheels, bushes

Nylon 11

• Very low moisture absorption means that it is more stable than PA6/66/GX
• Lower mechanical strength, stiffness and wear than PA6/66/GX but better impact strength
• Approved for use with foodstuffs
• Excellent electrical insulation properties

PEEK

• High operating temperature (+250°c continuous)
• High mechanical strength and hardness
• Excellent wear resistance
• Good creep resistance, even at high temperature
• Very good resistance to hydrolysis
• Excellent chemical resistance
• Good electrical insulating properties
• Low flammability
• Exceptional resistance to high energy radiation
• Glass additives improve stiffness and strength and gives improved creep properties at high temperature
• Used in the chemical, nuclear, electrical, medical and aerospace industries

Polyethersulphone (PES)

• High temperature resistance (+180°c continuous)
• Good mechanical performance at high temps
• Good creep resistance over a wide temp range
• Excellent hydrolysis resistance
• Physiologically inert (suitable for food contact)
• Good electrical insulating and dielectric properties
• Very good high energy radiation resistance
• Applications include: Insulating bushings, pumps, valves, het exchangers, microwaves, medical equipment, items for sterilising

PVDF

• Excellent chemical and hydrolysis resistance
• Better mechanical properties than PTFE (greater load and creep resistance)
• Excellent weather and UV resistance
• Very good electrical insulation properties
• Approved for use with foodstuffs
• Very good resistance to high energy radiation
• Valves, pumps, water tanks, linings

PTFE

• Excellent resistance to most chemicals and solvents
• Lowest coefficient of friction of any solid plastic
• Excellent temperature range (-200°c to +250°c)
• Non flammable
• Excellent dielectric properties
• Virgin PTFE is FDA approved for use with foodstuffs
• Poor dimensional stability
• Additives such as glass, carbon, bronze etc. will offer improved wear, hardness, lower creep, improved thermal conductivity