General Description
ABS is an amorphous polymer with good Impact Strength and excellent appearance. It is easy to process and is widely used for computer housings, small appliances, automotive interior trim, and medical components. It is available in flame retardent grades, and medical grades. ABS has poor chemical resistance.

Tensile Strength
5000-7500 psi

Flexural Modulus
270,000-380,000 psi

Impact Strength
3.0-7.5 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
200 F short duration, 140 F long term

Chemical Resistance
poor to fair

Relative Cost
$$$

Brand Names
Cycolac (GE) Lustran (Monsanto)

Material Mfg.
GE Plastics, Monsanto

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General Description
These alloys offer improved strengths over ABS at a lower cost than Polycarbonate. Exceptional low temperature Impact Strength. Flame retardent grades are available. Due to the world shortage of polycarbonate production capacity, lead times for these materials are long, and availability is limited.

Tensile Strength
6400-9150 psi

Flexural Modulus
300,000-400,000 psi

Impact Strength
8-12 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
210 F short duration, 140 F long term

Chemical Resistance
poor to fair

Relative Cost
$$$$

Brand Names
Cycoloy(GE), Pulse(Dow)

Material Mfg.
Dow, GE Plastics

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General Description
Acetal polymers are semi-crystalline. They offer excellent inherent lubricity, fatigue resistance, and chemical resistance. Acetals suffer from outgassing problems at elevated temperatures, and are brittle at low temperatures. Glass filled, and added lubrication grades are available, flame retardent grades are not.

Tensile Strength
6000-22,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
120,000-170,000 psi 1,200,000 psi with carbon fiber

Impact Strength
.8-2 ft-lb/in notched izod, 15 lb/in for impact modified grades

Maximum Temp.
300 F short duration with filled grades, 180 F long term

Chemical Resistance
excellent

Relative Cost
$$$

Brand Names
Celcon (Hoechst Celanese), Delrin (Dupont), Thermocomp(LNP), Ultraform (BASF)

Material Mfg.
Hoechst Celanese, Dupont, LNP, BASF

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General Description
Acrylics are amorphous polymers with excellent clarity. They are widely used in optical applications. Acrylics also have excellent weather ability and do very well in outdoor applications.

Tensile Strength
6000-11,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
200,000-600,000 psi

Impact Strength
.2-.4 ft-lb/in notched izod, 2.5 lb/in for impact modified grades

Maximum Temp.
220 F short duration , 170 F long term

Chemical Resistance
excellent

Relative Cost
$$

Brand Names
Perspex (ICI), Plexiglas (AtoHass)

Material Mfg.
AtoHass, ICI

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General Description
These alloys offer improved weatherability over ABS, having better stability when exposed to ultraviolet light . ASA is alloyed with either PVC (Geloy) ,or AES (Centrex). These materials offer good retention of properties and appearance after prolonged exposure to sunlight. They has excellent low temperature properties.

Tensile Strength
3400-6000 psi

Flexural Modulus
200,000-300,000 psi

Impact Strength
12-20 ft-lb/in notched izod, 3.0 lb/in at -40

Maximum Temp.
200 F short duration , 160 F long term

Chemical Resistance
good

Relative Cost
$$$

Brand Names
Centrex (Monsanto), Geloy (GE)

Material Mfg.
GE, Monsanto

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General Description
Cellulosics were among the first thermoplastics developed. They have been replaced by more modern materials in all but a few applications. Cellulosics smell funny, are very flammable and don't do well at temperature extremes.

Tensile Strength
3300-6500 psi

Flexural Modulus
140,000-300,000 psi

Impact Strength
2-8 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
180 F short duration , 120 F long term

Chemical Resistance
poor to fair

Relative Cost
$$$

Brand Names
Tenite (Eastman)

Material Mfg.
Eastman Chemical

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General Description
ETFE is a melt processable fluropolymer. It is similar in properties to other fluropolymers, having excellent lubricity (Fluropolymers have the lowest coefficient of friction of any plastic material), wear resistance, and excellent chemical resistance. ETFE is nothing special when it comes to mechanical properties, but it does have excellent

Impact Strength
and fatigue resistance.

Tensile Strength
6000-12000 psi

Flexural Modulus
200,000-900,000 psi

Impact Strength
9- No Break ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
400 F + depending upon load and grade

Chemical Resistance
Excellent

Relative Cost
$$$$$$$$

Brand Names
Tefzel (Dupont)

Material Mfg.
Dupont

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General Description
EVA is a transparent thermoplastic elastomer used a lot for extruded tubing and athletic shoes. EVA remains flexible at low temperatures and resists cracking. EVA has limited application in injection molded components.

Tensile Strength
1000-7500 psi

Flexural Modulus
8,000-13,000 psi

Impact Strength
No Break ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
110 F

Chemical Resistance
Fair

Relative Cost
$$

Brand Names
Ultrathene (Quantum)

Material Mfg.
Quantum

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General Description
LCPs are cool, relatively new materials with interesting properties. They have Tensile Strength and modulus close to aluminum.

Because of the highly oriented, rod like nature, of the polymer molecules, LCPs present some interesting design challenges. This is because the molecules will only form in straight lines. Additionally, the high orientation only occurs within about .040 of the surface of the part. Molecular orientation below this skin is random. As a result all of the strength of the material is in the skin.

Good design data is not available for these materials, so prototyping is a must. prototypes must be molded, because of the molecular orientation mentioned above.

Tensile Strength
12,000-32,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
1,300,000-4,600,000 psi with carbon fiber 3.2x10E6 with glass fiber

Impact Strength
1.1-11 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
500 F short duration 430 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent

Relative Cost
$$$$$$$$

Brand Names
Vectra (Hoechst Celanese), Xydar (Amoco)

Material Mfg.
Amoco, Hoechst Celanese

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General Description
Nylons are semi-crystalline polymers with a good range of properties. Nylons are widely used because they have a good cost to performance ratio. Lower numbered nylons, 6 ,6-6, 4-6, absorb moisture and change their properties as a result. Nylons have been compounded with reinforcements, fillers and additives to produce a very wide variety of properties. Nylon 6 has the lowest modulus of all nylon grades.

Tensile Strength
6,000-24,000 psi up to 36,000 psi with long glass or carbon

Flexural Modulus
390,000-1,100,000 psi 2,000,000 with long glass fiber or carbon

Impact Strength
2-8 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
~300 F short duration 200 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent

Relative Cost
$$$

Brand Names
lots

Material Mfg.
lots

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General Description
Nylons are semi-crystalline polymers with a good range of properties. Nylons are widely used because they have a good cost to performance ratio. Lower numbered nylons, 6 ,6-6, 4-6, absorb moisture and change their properties as a result. Nylons have been compounded with reinforcements, fillers and additives to produce a very wide variety of properties. Nylon 4-6 has the highest temperature capabilities of all nylon grades.

Tensile Strength
8,000-24,000 psi up to 36,000 psi with long glass or carbon

Flexural Modulus
430,000-1,100,000 psi 2,000,000 with long glass fiber or carbon

Impact Strength
2-8 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
~400 F short duration, 280 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent

Relative Cost
$$$$

Brand Names
Stanyl (DSM)

Material Mfg.
DSM

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General Description
Nylons are semi-crystalline polymers with a good range of properties. Nylons are widely used because they have a good cost to performance ratio. Lower numbered nylons, 6 ,6-6, 4-6, absorb moisture and change their properties as a result. Nylons have been compounded with reinforcements, fillers and additives to produce a very wide variety of properties. Nylon 6-6 offers better properties than nylon 6 without being as costly as nylon 4-6. It has the best abrasion resistance of all nylons. Verton, long glass fiber filled materials, by LNP, are excellent metal replacement materials.

Tensile Strength
8,000-24,000 psi up to 36,000 psi with long glass or carbon

Flexural Modulus
430,000-1,100,000 psi 2,000,000 with long glass fiber or carbon

Impact Strength
2-8 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
~350 F short duration 220 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent

Relative Cost
$$$

Brand Names
Celanese Nylon (), Verton (LNP), Zytel (Dupont)

Material Mfg.
Dupont, Hoechst Celanese, LNP, and many more

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General Description
Nylons are semi-crystalline polymers with a good range of properties. Nylons are widely used because they have a good cost to performance ratio. Higher numbered nylons, 11,12, do not absorb moisture to the extent that lower numbered nylons do, as a result their properties are more stable over a wide range of conditions. However , they are more expensive. These Nylons have been compounded with reinforcements, fillers and additives to produce a very wide variety of properties. Nylon 11 offers better Impact Strength and dimensional stability than lower numbered nylons. It is also more flexible.

Tensile Strength
8,000-17,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
170,000-1,200,000 psi

Impact Strength
2-No Break ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
~250 F short duration 180 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent

Relative Cost
$$$$$

Brand Names
Rilsan(Elf AtoChem)

Material Mfg.
Elf AtoChem

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General Description
Nylons are semi-crystalline polymers with a good range of properties. Nylons are widely used because they have a good cost to performance ratio. Higher numbered nylons, 11,12, do not absorb moisture to the extent that lower numbered nylons do, as a result their properties are more stable over a wide range of conditions. However, they are more expensive. These Nylons have been compounded with reinforcements, fillers and additives to produce a very wide variety of properties. Nylon 12 offers better Impact Strength and dimensional stability than lower numbered nylons. It is also more flexible.

Tensile Strength
8,000-17,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
170,000-1,200,000 psi

Impact Strength
2-No Break ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
~250 F short duration 180 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent

Relative Cost
$$$$$

Brand Names
Grilamid (EMS), Rilsan(Elf AtoChem), Vistamid (Huls)

Material Mfg.
Elf AtoChem, EMS, Huls

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General Description
Amorphous Nylons offer many of the properties of nylon in a transparent material. They offer some of the best chemical resistance of any transparent material and can be molded to tight tolerances.

Tensile Strength
14,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
400,000 psi

Impact Strength
3 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
260 F short duration 220 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Fair to Good

Relative Cost
$$$$$

Brand Names
Zytel (Dupont), Trogamid (Huls)

Material Mfg.
Dupont, Huls

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General Description
Impact modified nylons are a good choice when a tough material is needed at temperatures between 200 and 300 F. When Impact Strength and chemical resistance is needed. Or when Impact Strength is needed in nylon at low temperatures They are created by adding a rubber modifier to conventional nylon resin.

Impact modified nylons do not have the surface hardness, or modulus of unmodified nylons.

Tensile Strength
7,000-20,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
400,000 -1,100,000 psi

Impact Strength
16- No Break ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
280 F short duration 220 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Fair to Good

Relative Cost
$$$$$

Brand Names
Zytel Super Tough(Dupont), Thermocomp (LNP)

Material Mfg.
Dupont, LNP, and lots more

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General Description
Cheap and soft. Polyallomers have good retention of properties after radiation sterilization. They are not widely used.

Tensile Strength
3,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
10,000 psi

Impact Strength
.9 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
180 F short duration 120 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Fair to Good

Relative Cost
$

Brand Names
Tenite (Eastman)

Material Mfg.
Eastman Chemical

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General Description
PBT polyesters are semi-crystalline. They are versatile materials with a good range of properties. They have excellent electrical properties and are abrasion resistant. PBT has been extensively compounded giving a very wide range of properties. PBT performs much like Nylon but can handle higher temperatures and does not absorb moisture. PBT has excellent impact strength but is very notch sensitive.

PBT was the material used to make George Jetson's "indestructible" protective suit. The suit survived explosions, heat, and crushing forces, but fell apart when Jane ran it through the wash. PBT will dissolve in hot water or steam.

PBT is very anisotropic in shrinkage, so it is difficult to mold to extremely tight tolerances.

Tensile Strength
6,000-13,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
300,000-1,200,000 psi

Impact Strength
1 ft-lb/in notched izod . 30+ ft-lb/in un-notched

Maximum Temp.
420 F short duration 250 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Fair to Good

Relative Cost
$$$

Brand Names
Celanex (Hoechst Celanese), Valox (GE)

Material Mfg.
GE, Hoechst Celanese

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General Description
Polycarbonate is an amorphous material with excellent Impact Strength, clarity, and optical properties. It is very widely used and a wide variety of compounds are available. Polycarbonate is a victim of its own success as worldwide production is at capacity, and there are currently long lead times for this material.

Polycarbonate has excellent mechanical properties, and can be molded to tight tolerances. It is attacked by solvents and petrochemicals, and its weatherability is only adequate.

Tensile Strength
9,000-23,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
340,000-1,400,000 psi

Impact Strength
2- 18 ft-lb/in notched izod
Bulletproof un-notched

Maximum Temp.
300 F short duration 150 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Poor to Fair

Relative Cost
$$$$

Brand Names
Caliber (Dow), Lexan (GE)

Material Mfg.
Dow, GE

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General Description
PEEK is a high temperature, high cost , semi-crystalline material with excellent mechanical properties and chemical resistance.

Tensile Strength
14,000-41,000 psi with carbon fiber

Flexural Modulus
440,000-2,400,000 psi

Impact Strength
.9- 3 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
600 F short duration 480 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent

Relative Cost
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ !!! (expensive stuff)

Brand Names
Victrex (ICI), Thermocomp (LNP)

Material Mfg.
ICI, LNP

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General Description
PEI is an amorphous, high temperature material with relatively low cost compared to other high temperature materials. It has excellent elongation and Impact Strength, and can be molded to tight tolerances. Its chemical resistance is not as good as crystalline materials but is excellent for an amorphous material.

PEI behaves similar to polycarbonate, but can perform at higher temperatures.

Tensile Strength
14,000-28,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
480,000-1,300,000 psi

Impact Strength
2 ft-lb/in notched izod
25 ft-lb/in un-notched

Maximum Temp.
420 F short duration 375 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Fair to Good

Relative Cost
$$$$$

Brand Names
Ultem (GE)

Material Mfg.
GE

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General Description
Polyethersulfone is a high temperature amorphous material with relatively low cost. PES has slightly lower capabilities than PEI at about the same cost. As a result it is not widely used.

Tensile Strength
9,500-18,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
590,000-1,200,000 psi

Impact Strength
1.4 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
400 F short duration 350 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent

Relative Cost
$$$$$$

Brand Names
Thermocomp (LNP), Victrex (ICI)

Material Mfg.
LNP, ICI

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General Description
Polyethylene is a widely used, inexpensive, thermoplastic. It has good inherent lubricity, and is easy to process. Polyethylene has good to excellent chemical resistance. It is also soft and cannot be used in temperatures much above 150 F.

High density polyethylene is the hardest and stiffest version of this material. It does not have the impact strength of low density, but is more resilient.

Tensile Strength
3,200-4,500 psi

Flexural Modulus
145,000-225,000 psi

Impact Strength
.4-4 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
150 F short duration 130 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent

Relative Cost
$

Brand Names
lots

Material Mfg.
lots

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General Description
Polyethylene is a widely used, inexpensive, thermoplastic. It has good inherent lubricity, and is easy to process. Polyethylene has good to excellent chemical resistance. It is also soft and cannot be used in temperatures much above 150 F.

Low density polyethylene is the softest and most flexible version of this material. It has high elongation giving it excellent Impact Strength. This is offset by its permanent deformation upon impact

Tensile Strength
1,200-4,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
35,000-48,000 psi

Impact Strength
No Break ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
150 F short duration 130 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent

Relative Cost
$

Brand Names
lots

Material Mfg.
lots

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General Description
Polyethylene is a widely used, inexpensive, thermoplastic. It has good inherent lubricity, and is easy to process. Polyethylene has good to excellent chemical resistance. It is also soft and cannot be used in temperatures much above 150.

Medium density polyethylene has properties in between low and high density polyethylene.

Tensile Strength
1,900-4,500 psi

Flexural Modulus
40,000-105,000 psi

Impact Strength
2-No Break ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
150 F short duration 130 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent

Relative Cost
$

Brand Names
lots

Material Mfg.
lots

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General Description
PET polyesters are semi-crystalline. They are versatile materials with a good range of properties. They have excellent electrical properties and are abrasion resistant. PET has not been as extensively compounded as PBT because it is more difficult to process. PET has a higher modulus than PBT.

Like PBT, PET is very anisotropic in shrink, therefore it is difficult to mold to extremely close tolerances.

Tensile Strength
7,000-23,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
350,000-3,000,000 psi

Impact Strength
.45-8 ft-lb/in notched izod.

Maximum Temp.
420 F short duration 250 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Fair to Good

Relative Cost
$$$

Brand Names
Celanex (Hoechst Celanese), Rynite (Dupont),Valox (GE)

Material Mfg.
Dupont, GE, Hoechst Celanese

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General Description
Polyimides offer excellent properties at high temperatures. A thermoplastic version of this material became available recently. Both amorphous and crystalline grades are offered. Polyimide materials are attacked by alkali and are very expensive.

Tensile Strength
13,000-36,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
420,000 -2,800,000 psi

Impact Strength
1.7-2.2 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
580 +F short duration 450 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good - attacked by alkali

Relative Cost
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!! (expensive stuff)

Brand Names
Aurum (Mitsui Toatsu)

Material Mfg.
Mitsui Toatsu

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General Description
PPA is a relatively new, semi-crystalline material, with an excellent cost to performance ratio. PPA bridges the performance gap between nylons/polyesters, and higher priced, high temperature materials such as PEI and PEEK. PPA has excellent Impact Strength and is not notch sensitive. Verton, long glass fiber material from LNP is an excellent metal replacement material.

PPA does absorb moisture, and its properties change as a result. This change is not nearly as great as 6-6 nylon. Despite its relatively recent introduction, good design data is available for PPA.

Tensile Strength
9,000-33,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
270,000 -2,700,000 psi

Impact Strength
.6-22 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
450 +F short duration 300 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent, unacceptable in phenols

Relative Cost
$$$$

Brand Names
Amodel (Amoco), Verton (LNP)

Material Mfg.
Amoco, LNP

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General Description
Polypropylene is a widely used, semi-crystalline material. It has been extensively compounded to provide a wide range of properties at a wide range of costs. In general, polypropylene is a low temperature material with excellent chemical resistance. It has no known solvent at 73 F.

Polypropylene is difficult to mold to extremely close tolerances .

Tensile Strength
4,500-18,500 psi

Flexural Modulus
210,000 -1,500,000 psi

Impact Strength
1.4-5.5 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
Up to 300 +F short duration 150 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Excellent

Relative Cost
$ to $$$

Brand Names
lots, Verton(LNP)

Material Mfg.
lots (LNP)

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General Description
By itself PPO is an excellent material with wonderful properties, unfortunately it cannot be processed by conventional means. As a result, PPO has been modified by placing it in a styrene matrix to create a readily processable amorphous material with properties superior to ABS. Modified PPO has good Impact Strength, stiffness, surface appearance, and flame retardency. It has fair to good chemical resistance too, but is more expensive compared to ABS.

Tensile Strength
6,000-18,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
270,000 -1,400,000 psi

Impact Strength
1.3-8.5 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
200 +F short duration 120 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Fair to Good

Relative Cost
$$$$

Brand Names
Noryl (GE)

Material Mfg.
GE

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General Description
PPS is a high temperature semi-crystalline material. It has good mechanical properties and excellent chemical resistance at elevated temperatures. PPS has been compounded extensively and many different types of properties are available. PTFE filled PPS is one of the best bearing materials available.

Unfilled grades of PPS have poor properties, so components are usually made from glass filled or glass/mineral filled grades.

PPS is very sensitive to molding conditions and must be processed properly to achieve its maximum potential.

Tensile Strength
14,000-28,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
550,000 -2,900,000 psi

Impact Strength
.5-6 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
500 +F short duration 450 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to excellent

Relative Cost
$$$$ to $$$$$$$

Brand Names
Fortron (Hoechst Celanese), Lubricomp (LNP), Ryton (Phillips), Supec (GE)

Material Mfg.
GE, Hoechst Celanese, LNP, Phillips

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General Description
Crystal styrene is the cheapest thermoplastic available. It has properties to match its price. It is transparent and has good optical properties. It has very low Impact Strength.

This is the stuff those cheap plastic glasses are made of. The kind that crack if you grab them too hard.

Tensile Strength
5,000-7,500 psi

Flexural Modulus
380,000 -480,000 psi

Impact Strength
.35-.45 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
150 +F short duration 100 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Poor

Relative Cost
$

Brand Names
Lots

Material Mfg.
Lots

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General Description
High Impact Polystyrene is what its name implies. A few cents more than crystal styrene, to pay for the rubber modifier. HIPS is opaque and very widely used. It has a lower modulus, better elongation, and is a lot less brittle than crystal styrene.

Tensile Strength
7,500-10,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
160,000 -370,000 psi

Impact Strength
3-7 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
150 +F short duration 100 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Poor

Relative Cost
$

Brand Names
Lots

Material Mfg.
Lots

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General Description
Priced in between Crystal Styrene and HIPS, Medium impact polystyrene has properties that fall in between too. MIPS is opaque.

Tensile Strength
6,000-8,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
270,000 -420,000 psi

Impact Strength
1-3 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
150 +F short duration 100 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Poor

Relative Cost
$

Brand Names
Lots

Material Mfg.
Lots

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General Description
Polysulfone is a high temperature amorphous material with relatively low cost. It is transparent and can be used at temperatures of up to 300 F. Polysulfone has been compounded, with glass and mineral filled grades available.

Tensile Strength
9,500-18,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
390,000-1,500,000 psi

Impact Strength
.65-7 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
350 F short duration 300 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Fair to Good

Relative Cost
$$$$$

Brand Names
Udel and Mindel(Amoco)

Material Mfg.
Amoco

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General Description
Polyurethane is an extremely tough abrasion and tear resistant elastomeric material. Recently, rigid grades have been introduced. These materials offer good chemical resistance, and are transparent in unfilled grades.

Tensile Strength
6,500-33,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
230,000-2,000,000 psi

Impact Strength
1.5-10 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
230 F short duration 150 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good

Relative Cost
$$$$$

Brand Names
Isoplast (Dow)

Material Mfg.
Dow, Hoechst Celanese

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General Description
Rigid PVC is used primarily for water pipe and pipe fittings. It is occasionally used for electrical enclosures too. Rigid PVC offers similar properties to ABS at a slightly reduced cost. However, the appearance of PVC cannot come close to ABS. In its plastic phase, PVC is corrosive to molds and molding machines. In its solid phase, PVC is non corrosive.

Tensile Strength
10,000-12,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
350,000-600,000 psi

Impact Strength
.8-1.4 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
170 F short duration 120 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Fair to Good

Relative Cost
$$

Brand Names
Alpha, Geon, K-Bin

Material Mfg.
Alpha, Geon, K-Bin

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General Description
This is the "vinyl" that everyone is familiar with. It is essentially rigid PVC with a plasticizer added to make it soft. The plasticizer works its way out of the compound. This outgassing, is what gives new cars their "smell", as flexible PVC is used extensively in automobile interiors.

Considered an elastomer, flexible PVC is available in a variety of hardnesses from 50 Shore A to 85 Shore D.

Tensile Strength
1,000-3,500 psi

Flexural Modulus
Varies up to 350,000 psi

Impact Strength
1.4- No Break ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
150 F short duration 110 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Fair to Good

Relative Cost
$$

Brand Names
Alpha, Geon,

Material Mfg.
Alpha, Geon,

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General Description
PVDF is a melt processable fluropolymer. It is similar in properties to other fluropolymers, but has better strength and lower creep than the other members of this family. PVDF has good wear resistance , and excellent chemical resistance. But does not perform well at elevated temperatures.

Tensile Strength
3,500-7,200 psi

Flexural Modulus
170,000-1,200,000 psi

Impact Strength
2.5-8 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
300 F short duration 170 F long term

Chemical Resistance
Good to Excellent

Relative Cost
$$$$$$$

Brand Names
Kynar, (Elf AtoChem)

Material Mfg.
Elf AtoChem

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General Description
SAN is ABS without the Butadiene. It does not have the Impact Strength of ABS, but can be crystal clear. Because it lacks butadiene SAN does not have the Impact Strength of ABS.

Tensile Strength
10,000-18,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
500,000-1,200,000 psi

Impact Strength
.3-3.0 ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
200 F short duration, 140 F long term

Chemical Resistance
poor to fair

Relative Cost
$$$

Brand Names
Lustran

Material Mfg.
Monsanto

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General Description
Thermoplastic Elastomers differ from thermoplastic rubbers by having higher mechanical strength ,but less elongation, and fatigue resistance. TPE materials do not get as soft as TPR materials, but the two groups do overlap. These include elastomeric polyurethane, polyester, and nylon.

Polyester TPEs are tough have good chemical resistance and can be molded in thick sections. Like all polyesters, they dissolve in hot water.

Nylon TPEs will absorb moisture and are more expensive than polyester based materials.

Polyurethane is an extremely tough, fatigue resistant, abrasion and tear resistant, elastomeric material. It is the most expensive of the materials described here.

Tensile Strength
1,000-7,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
5,000-800,000 psi

Impact Strength
2.5- No Break ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
300 F short duration, ~200 F long term with some materials

Chemical Resistance
Fair to Good

Relative Cost
$$$$ to $$$$$$

Brand Names
Hytrel, (Dupont), Lomod (GE), Pebax (Elf AtoChem)

Material Mfg.
Dupont, GE, Elf AtoChem

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General Description
Thermoplastic Rubbers are generally softer, more fatigue resistant, and less tear resistant than TPE. TPR is generally less expensive then TPE.

TPRs have basically 2 groups in common usage: Polyolefin based, and Styrene Based. The olefin based materials have good chemical resistance while the Styrene based materials are less expensive and cannot withstand temperatures much above 120 F.

Tensile Strength
650-4,000 psi

Flexural Modulus
100-300,000 psi

Impact Strength
5- No Break ft-lb/in notched izod

Maximum Temp.
250 F short duration, ~160 F long term with some materials

Chemical Resistance
Poor (Styrene based) Good to Excellent (Polyolefin based)

Relative Cost
$ to $$$

Brand Names
Alcryn (Dupont), Kryton (Shell), Santoprene (Monsanto)

Material Mfg.
Dupont, Monsanto, Shell

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