The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Amorphous and Semi-Crystalline

Engineering Thermoplastics
Materials, properties and applications.

Prepared by the IAPD Education Committee (Module 4)

Presented courtesy of Modern Plastics Inc.

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Amorphous Engineering Thermoplastics

Key Characteristics

• Moderate cost, strength and temperature resistance

• Good impact resistance
• Translucency
• Good dimensional stability
• Excellent optical qualities

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Amorphous Engineering Thermoplastics

Materials

• Polycarbonate (PC)
• Polyphenylene Oxide (PPO)
• Polyphenelyne Ether (PPE)
• Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU)

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Polycarbonate (PC)
Strengths
● Excellent clarity
● Excellent toughness
● Good heat resistance
● Excellent electrical properties
● Intrinsic flame-retardancy
● Excellent strength

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Polycarbonate (PC)
Limitations

• Continual exposure to hot water causes gradual

embitterment
• Most aromatic solvents, esters and ketones can
cause crazing and cracking

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Polycarbonate (PC)
Applications
• Vandal resistant windows
• Machine guards
• Outdoor signs
• Sky lights
• Backboards
• Bike, roller blading protective
wear

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Modified Polyphenylene Oxide (Mod PPO)

Modified Polyphenylene Ether (Mod PPE)
Key Characteristics

• High dielectric strength

• Available in FDA compliant grades
• Less expensive than polycarbonate (PC)
• Good chemical resistance to strong acids,
bases and water
• Wide range of processing
• Good creep resistance

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Modified Polyphenylene Oxide (Mod PPO)

Modified Polyphenylene Ether (Mod PPE)
Applications

• Electrical housings in appliance, computers, business

equipment, etc.
• Water purification equipment parts
• Insulators
• Gears

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4

The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)

Key Characteristics

• Wide range of service temperatures

• Wide range of harness options
• Excellent tear resistance
• Excellent compression strength
• Excellent resistance to non polar solvents
• Excellent electrical properties
• Excellent abrasion resistance
• High tensile strength

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)

Applications

• Impact resistant housings

• Valves
• Water filter caps
• Geophysical cable spacer

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Semi-Crystalline Engineering
Thermoplastics
Key Characteristics

• Moderate cost, strength

• Moderate temperature resistance
• Good chemical resistance
• Good bearing and wear properties
• Low COF
• Difficult to bond

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Semi-Crystalline Engineering
Thermoplastics
Materials
• Polyamide (PA) — Nylon
• Polyoxymethylene (POM) — Acetal
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)
• Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene
(UHMW-PE)

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Nylon (PA)
Strengths
• Good strength
• Good toughness
• Fair heat resistance
• Good chemical resistance
• Low COF

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Nylon (PA)
Limitations
● Strong acidic environments
● Areas where moisture absorption is of
concern
● Areas experiencing high operating
temperatures

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Nylon (PA)
Applications

• Film
• Automotive
• Electrical/electronics
• Consumer goods

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Cast PA vs. Extruded PA

• Extruded nylon can be produced in almost any grade
• Cast nylon grades are limited to Type 6, Type 6 1/2 and some
Type 12
• Generally Nylon 6/6 and Nylon 6 (cast or extruded) are
interchangeable in most applications (physical property
differences are minor)
• Nylon 6/6 is stronger and stiffer than Nylon 6, and has more
resistance to compression
• Nylon 6 has better elongation values than Nylon 6/6, providing
better ductility
• Cast Nylon can be produced in large profiles and custom shapes,
and is generally less expensive than extruded grades

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Acetal (POM)
Strengths

• Good dimensional stability

• Good wear resistance
• Excellent strength
• Excellent stiffness
• Good rigidity
• Low moisture absorption
• Low COF

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Acetal (POM)
Limitations

• Centerline porosity in copolymers

• Using copolymer in hot water environments
(boiling/steam)
• Strong acidic environments
• Strong alkali environments
• Areas experiencing high operating
temperatures

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Acetal (POM)
Applications

• Bearings
• Bushings
• Valve seats
• Washers
• Nozzles
• Spools
• Cams

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Thermoplastic Polyesters
Key Characteristics

⚫ Good range of mechanical properties

⚫ Good dimensional stability
⚫ Superior chemical resistance
⚫ Good electrical properties

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Thermoplastic Polyesters
Materials

• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

• Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)
Key Characteristics
• High dimensional stability under heat
• High stiffness and hardness
• Good bearing strength
• Good electrical properties
• Good resistance to chemicals
• Good stress-cracking resistance
• Excellent flow characteristics

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Thermoplastic Polyesters
Applications

• Pump components
• Automotive components
• Food packaging components
• Insulators

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Thermoplastic Polyesters
Caution!
Watch high temperature environments!

Use caution when recommending thermoplastic

polyesters in applications requiring high temperature
resistance, above 93-121oC/200-250oF.

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

Ultra High Molecular Weight PE

(UHMW-PE)
Strengths
• Highest abrasion resistance and impact strength of
any plastic
• Very low COF
• Excellent cryogenic (low temperature) material
• Self-lubricating
• FDA/USDA compliant

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Ultra High Molecular Weight PE

(UHMW-PE)
Limitations

• Only good until 82oC/180oF

• Not a self-supporting material
• High cost for tooling for custom extrusion and
custom parts

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Ultra High Molecular Weight PE

(UHMW-PE)
Applications

• Guides
• Wear strips
• Liners

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The International Association of Plastics Distributors

The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 4