In the nearly 150 years since plastic materials were conceived, these man-made materials have evolved into countless types for every possible use. Below is information on a few categories of plastic that are frequently used in industrial parts.
Nylon is a technopolymer, and is typically referred to as polyamide (PA). Nylon was the first commercially successful synthetic polymer.
The wide variety of different modifications that can be made to technopolymer allows it to be produced with different mechanical properties, chemical resistance, temperature resistance and colors, even crystal-clear. Nylon can be used as the matrix material in composite materials, with reinforcing fibers like glass or carbon fiber, and which then have a higher density than pure nylon.
Such thermoplastic composites (25% glass fiber) are frequently used in components where their good heat resistance—up to 150°C (300°F)—making them practical competitors with metals.
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer that is rugged as well as unusually resistant to many chemical solvents, bases and acids. It is resistant to fatigue and tolerates high heat—66°C (150°F). It can be extruded or molded.
Many physical finishing techniques can also be used on polypropylene, such as machining. Surface treatments can be applied to PP parts in order to encourage adhesion of inks and paints.
Elastomers/thermoplastic elastomers are polymers with the property of elasticity. The term, which is derived from elastic polymer, is often used interchangeably with the term rubber.
Components of these materials can be stretched and bent without exerting great force.Once the deforming force relaxes or no longer acts at all, the parts take their original shape. At ambient temperatures rubbers are relatively soft and deformable.
Their primary uses are for seals, adhesives and molded flexible parts such as wheels. Elastomers can be made in varying degrees of hardness and can be dyed easily.
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubbers, are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) which consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties.
Duroplast is a resin plastic reinforced with fibers (either cotton or wool) making it a fiber-reinforced plastic similar to glass-reinforced plastic. It is light, flexible and strong, but has low elasticity. Phenolic resins are among the most commonly used Duroplast materials.
Unlike technopolymer, Duroplast and phenolic plastics cannot be melted because they remain rigid up to degradation temperature. The coloring and dyeing options of components made of Duroplast are limited.
You can find some additional technical information about plastics in our Web site’s Technical Section, including General Heat Resistance for Plastic, Material Characteristics Chart of Duroplast and Technopolymer Plastics, and Material Properties Chart of Elastomers (Rubber). And of course you are welcome to contact our Technical Sales Associates at +52(81)2721-4021 for further assistance.
