Polymers

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)

The properties of ABS can be widely varied by use of different levels of butadiene rubber and acrylonitrile levels in the block copolymer. A blend of a SAN block copolymer with a butadiene rubber. Compared to SAN, it has superior impact strength at the expense of slightly reduced stiffness and strength.

Properties:
Rigid, opaque, glossy tough, good low temperature properties, good dimensional stability and easily electroplated, low creep.

Applications:
Telephone handsets, rigid luggage, domestic appliance housings (food mixers), electroplated parts, radiator grills, handles, computer housings.

MABS

Transparent ABS (MABS) has good processability and good physical properties such as high impact strength, resistance to various chemicals, and excellent transparency.

Applications:
Electrical and electronic parts, OA devices and toys.

Nylons (PA)

One of the most widely used engineering plastics. It offers easy processing and high impact strength with good thermal performance.

Properties:
The majority of nylons tend to be semi-crystalline and are generally very tough materials with good thermal and chemical resistance. The different types give a wide range of properties with specific gravity, melting point and moisture content tending to reduce as the nylon number increases.

Applications:
Used extensively in automotive industry in high thermal performance areas. Nylon films are also used for food packaging, offering toughness and low gas permeability, and coupled with its temperature resistance, for boil-in-the-bag food packaging.

Polycarbonate (PC)

Properties:
Polycarbonates are strong, stiff, hard, tough, transparent engineering thermoplastics that can maintain rigidity up to 140°C and toughness down to -20°C or special grades even lower. The material is amorphous (thereby displaying excellent mechanical properties and high dimensional stability), is thermally resistant up to 135°C and rated as slow burning. Special flame retardant grades exist which pass several severe flammability tests.

Applications:
Vandal proof glazing, sheeting, electrical components, safety helmets and headlamp lenses

Thermoplastic Elastomers

Elastomers (rubbers) are special polymers that are very elastic. They are lightly cross-linked and amorphous with a glass transition temperature well below room temperature.

Properties:
Flexible, clear, elastic, wear resistant and impermeable.

Applications:
Soles and heels for sports shoes, hammer heads, seals, gaskets, skate board wheels, synthetic leather fabrics, silent running gears.

Polyethylene (High Density) HDPE

Properties:
Flexible, translucent / waxy, weatherproof, good low temperature toughness (to -60’C), easy to process by most methods, low cost, good chemical resistance.

Applications:
Chemical drums, jerricans, carboys, toys, picnic ware, household and kitchenware, cable insulation, carrier bags, food wrapping material.

Polyethylene (Low Density) LDPE, LLDPE

Properties:
Semi-rigid, translucent, very tough, weatherproof, good chemical resistance, low water absorption, easily processed by most methods, low cost.

Applications:
Squeeze bottles, toys, carrier bags, high frequency insulation, chemical tank linings, heavy duty sacks, general packaging, gas and water pipes.

Polypropylene

A semi-crystalline thermoplastic that is included in the category of volume plastics. The material exists as homopolymer and random- or block-copolymer, depending on the polymerization method. Homopolymers usually have higher stiffness with copolymers that usually have better impact resistance and low temperature properties. PP is commonly used as the base polymer in compounding with glass fibres or mineral fillers which are added for better mechanical properties and dimensional stability.

Properties:
Rigid, opaque, good dimensional stability at high temperature and humidity conditions, difficult to process (blended to ease injection moulding), tough.

Applications:
Coffee pot and washing machine parts (where high temperature and moisture are critical), replacement for die castings, drink vending machines, microwave components.

Polystyrene is amorphous and transparent thermoplastic that belongs to volume plastics and is commonly used for packaging and disposable items. Polystyrene can also be modified with butadiene rubber to get HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) for better impact properties, but at the expense of transparency.

Polystyrene (General Purpose) GPPS

Properties:
Brittle, rigid, transparent, low shrinkage, low cost, excellent X-ray resistance, free from odour and taste, easy to process.

Applications:
Toys and novelties, rigid packaging, refrigerator trays and boxes, cosmetic packs and costume jewellery, lighting diffusers

Polystyrene (High Impact) HIPS

Properties:
Hard, rigid, translucent, impact strength up to 7 x GPPS, other properties similar.

Applications:
Yoghurt pots, refrigerator linings, vending cups, bathroom cabinets, toilet seats and tanks, closures, instrument control knobs.

Acetal (POM)

A semi-crystalline engineering plastic that combines stiffness, impact strength and dimensional stability. The regular molecular structure of POM allows the crystallinity amounts to 80%. POM is available as both homo- and copolymer. The homopolymer has a higher crystallinity which gives the better mechanical properties such as stiffness and hardness, while the copolymer has slightly better chemical resistance and is easier to process.

Properties:
Rigid, translucent, tough, spring-like qualities, good stress relaxation resistance, good wear and electrical properties, resistant to creep and organic solvents.

Applications:
Small pressure vessels, aerosol valves, coil formers, clock and watch parts, nuclear engineering components, plumbing systems, shoe components.

Polymethylacrylate (PMMA)

A crystal clear amorphous thermoplastic, often referred to as “Plexiglass”.

Properties:
PMMA is an economical alternative to polycarbonate (PC) when tensile strength, flexural strength, transparency, polish ability, and UV tolerance are more important than impact strength, chemical resistance, and heat resistance.

Applications:
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a transparent thermoplastic often used in sheet form as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass. The same material can be used as a casting resin or in inks and coatings, among many other uses. Often used in outdoor applications such as vehicle rear lights, lighting and construction applications.

Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN)

Widely used in place of polystyrene owing to its greater thermal resistance. Like polystyrene itself, it is optically transparent and brittle in mechanical behaviour. The copolymer has a glass transition temperature greater than 100 °C owing to the acrylonitrile units in the chain, thus making the material resistant to boiling water.

Properties:
Rigid, transparent, tough, resistant to greases, stress cracking and crazing, easily processed, resistant to food stains.

Applications:
Drinking tumblers, hi-fi covers, lenses, water jugs and toothbrush handles, kitchen and picnic ware, radio dials, TV set screens, washing machine trims.

Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG)

A thermoplastic polyester that provides significant chemical resistance, durability, and excellent formability for manufacturing. PETG can be easily vacuumed and pressure-formed as well as heat-bent thanks to its low forming temperatures. This makes it exceptionally popular for consumer and commercial applications that involve 3D printing, or other heat-forming manufacturing techniques.

PETG is strong and cost-effective when compared to either acrylic or polycarbonate. Its unique characteristics make it preferable for impact-resistant glazing and high strength display units. Suitable for digital printing, PETG lends itself to product materials, displays, and signage.

Properties:
Durable and tough, good chemical resistance with high impact strength. Good clarity. Easily formed, die-cut and punched.

Applications:
Reusable drinking bottles, cooking oil containers, and FDA-compliant food storage containers.

Styrene butadiene block copolymer (SBC)

A transparent thermoplastic resin that is transparent with high impact-resistance. It is often used as an impact modifier in general purpose polystyrene.

Properties:
High elasticity and tensile strength, low density, low permeability, good optical clarity and surface appearance, and chemical resistance to acids, bases and aqueous media.

Applications:
Small tubes, medical device containers, tablet encapsulation, toys, cosmetics, food and display packaging.

Acrylic-styrene-acrylonitrile (ASA)

ASA material is manufactured by introducing a grafted acrylic ester elastomer during the copolymerization reaction between styrene and acrylonitrile. The reason for such a change is that ASA has better weather wear and UV resistance.

ASA is available in different grades to meet the needs of injection molding or extrusion for specific products. Some grades are also food safe, so they can be used for manufacturing products like toothbrushes, coffee making machines, and microwave safe containers.

In some applications, ASA can be combined with other thermoplastics like Polycarbonate to withstand stress and temperatures. Such reinforced ASA/PC compound can be created for flame-retardant parts or electroplating.

Properties:
High UV outdoor performance. Rigid, tough, resistant to greases, stress cracking and crazing, easily processed, resistant to food stains.

Applications:
Automotive, marine & medical products, electronics, IT communications, outdoor products, building/construction, sports equipment, exterior signage.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)

The only injection mouldable thermoplastic that offers a thermal performance of over 300 C. This semi-crystalline linear aromatic polymer is widely regarded as the highest performance thermoplastic material available in the market today.

Properties:
Rigid opaque (grey) material with a unique combination of properties, which include exceptional chemical, wear, electrical and temperature resistance, as well as dimensional stability and numerous processing capabilities.

Applications:
PEEK polymer is used typically as a replacement for machined metals in a wide variety of high-performance end-use applications. These range in diversity from components for cars, aircraft, industrial pumps, valves and seals, to silicon wafer carriers, connectors and sterilisable surgical instruments and in the medical implants market.

Polyetherimide

An amorphous high temperature thermoplastic with a glass temperature of 215 C.
PEI has very good mechanical properties, UV resistance and lower smoke emission.

Properties:
High strength-to-weight ratio with thermo-oxidative stability. Excellent mechanical properties. High temperatures resistance.

Applications:
Polyetherimide applications in automotive have been increasing due to its replacement with metal, thermosets and bulk molding compounds (BMC). Electrical and lighting systems are the largest application areas for PEI in the automotive market followed by under-the-hood applications.

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)

A thermoplastic engineering polymer that is used as an insulator in the electrical and electronics industries. It is a thermoplastic (semi-)crystalline polymer, and a type of polyester. PBT is resistant to solvents, shrinks very little during forming, is mechanically strong, heat-resistant up to 150 °C (or 200 °C with glass-fibre reinforcement) and can be treated with flame retardants to make it non-combustible.

Properties:
PBT Blends are engineering plastics with excellent processing characteristics and high strength and rigidity for a broad range of applications.

Applications:
Engineering polymers are used in the manufacture of a wide range of components, including under bonnet parts, exterior parts (window wiper holders and exterior mirror housing).

Polyphenylene oxide (PPO)

Polyphenylene Ether (PPE), sometimes called PPO, is a polymer that offers excellent heat resistance, dimensional stability and mechanical properties. A material which is always present in the blend with other materials. Most commonly, a mixture with HIPS, but also mixtures of polyamide and polypropylene appear. This is an engineering plastic which has excellent dielectric and mechanical properties, and high heat resistance.  Common applications for PPE include components in PPE is normally blended with PS or nylon to improve its processability.

Properties:
Rigid, opaque, good dimensional stability at high temperature and humidity conditions, difficult to process (blended to ease injection moulding), tough. PPE also has low moisture absorption and excellent hydrolysis resistance and can be made flame retardant.

Applications:
Printers and copiers, electrical devices like connectors and circuit breakers and in vending machines and water softeners.

Polyphthalamide (PPA)

A semi-crystalline, partially aromatic high temperature plastic which can be used for extended periods at temperatures as high as 185 C. Furthermore, it has exceptional stiffness, outstanding chemical resistance and a price/performance ratio, which places it among the most attractive high temperature materials available in the market today.

Common applications include automotive, aerospace, electrical, and industrial parts that must withstand prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals and/or high temperatures. This includes motor parts, fuel line connectors, coolant pumps, bushings, bearing pads in aircraft engines, charge air cooler, fuel cut-off and water heater manifold valves, socket and plug-in connectors, high voltage bushings, motor housings, and head light components.

Properties:
Compared to aliphatic polyamides, PPAs offer improved chemical resistance, higher strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures, creep and fatigue resistance, warpage dimensional stability, sensitivity to moisture absorption.

Applications:
Automotive, aerospace, electrical, and industrial parts that must withstand prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals and/or high temperatures.

Polysulfone

Polysulfone (PSU) (also called polyaryl sulfone) is a transparent, high-performance, ultra-stable polymer with a high service temperature, that can be moulded, extruded, or thermoformed into a wide variety of shapes. It has good impact and electrical properties and good resistance to inorganic acids and bases. Polysulfone also has superior hydrolytic stability against hot water and steam sterilization.

Properties:
Performs well in broad temperature range, excellent hydrolytic stability, good chemical resistance, high impact resistance, superior electrical properties, performs well in high-temperature environments. Suitable for potable water up to 82 degrees C.

Applications:
Membrane filtration applications, such as renal dialysis, water treatment, bio-processing, food and beverage processing, and industrial gas separation.

TCL Plastics offer tailored compounds to meet your performance and property requirements.

It typically contains a base resin, and other additives intended to clean the screw, barrel, and extruder die. Purging compound is also used for colour and material changes, removal of colour and carbon deposits as well as cleaning hot runner mould.