Plastic materials for precise molded parts

Polyethylene – The most commonly used plastic with versatile applications

As the most widely used standard plastic worldwide, Polyethylene mainly used in the packaging industry – valued for its good colorability and its semi-crystalline, non-polar structure as part of the polyolefin family.

In addition to its excellent usability for various packaging solutions, polyethylene also offers impressive electrical insulation properties. These make it a preferred material for covering cables and for producing non-conductive components within the electrical industry.

In addition, it impresses with its excellent chemical resistance to a variety of acids, oils and bases, which makes it attractive for a wide range of applications. Polyethylene also impresses with its good sliding behavior and low wear, which underlines its longevity and reliability.

Another notable advantage of this plastic is its lower gas and water vapor permeability compared to other plastics. This contributes significantly to maintaining the shelf life and freshness of packaged goods. Although polyethylene floats on water, increasing its versatility, it can become brittle when exposed to direct sunlight, which is an aspect that should be considered when selecting the material for outdoor applications.

Regarding thermal properties, polyethylene begins to soften at temperatures above 80°C, with its heat resistance being around 45°C. These thermal limits are important for the processing and application of polyethylene products to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

Polystyrene – Versatile standard plastic with a wide range of applications

Polystyrene, a transparent, amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic, is a popular standard plastic due to its cost-effectiveness and versatility. This material can be processed in two main forms: as a solid thermoplastic material or as foam, with foamed polystyrene sold under the well-known trade name Styrofoam.

One of the outstanding properties of polystyrene is its excellent resistance to aqueous alkalis and mineral acids, as well as its resistance to the effects of water. However, it should be noted that it tends to rot under the influence of UV radiation and also has limited heat resistance, with a maximum continuous use temperature of 70°C.

In its unmodified form, polystyrene has a low melting point and is characterized by its hardness, brittleness and sensitivity to impacts. It is also relatively permeable to oxygen and water vapor. To improve these properties and expand the range of applications, various polystyrene variants have been developed, including impact-resistant polystyrene (SB), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers (ABS), styrene-acrylonitrile polymers (SAN) and acrylonitrile-styrene-acryl ester -Polymers (ASA).

Polystyrene is also characterized by a low tendency to shrink or shrink, which enables the production of components with very fine contours, edges and smooth surfaces. This leads to components that fit as accurately as possible, which is particularly valued in the manufacturing industry.

It is widely used in the production of mass-produced items such as CD cases, flower trays or food packaging. In addition, switches and housings are also made from polystyrene in electrical engineering due to its good insulation properties.

Polypropylene – Versatile and robust plastic for numerous applications

Polypropylene, a semi-crystalline plastic, belongs to the thermoplastic family and is characterized by its versatility and robustness. This material is known for its excellent chemical resistance as well as its excellent electrical insulation properties, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

In addition, polypropylene impresses with its impressive tensile strength, temperature resistance and surface hardness. These properties help polypropylene have exceptional resistance to fatigue, making it an ideal material for long-term applications.

It is important to mention that polypropylene can be used in a temperature range of 0 to +100°C. However, it should be noted that it becomes brittle comparatively quickly below 0°C, which should be taken into account for applications in cold environments.

Polypropylene is one of the most widely produced plastics in the world, which underlines its wide acceptance and applicability in various industries. It is used in a range of mass-produced applications including household appliances, toys, sporting goods, car interiors, medical devices and food packaging. In addition, polypropylene in the form of PP fibers is also used in home textiles and carpets, which shows its flexibility and adaptability to different needs and areas of use.

ABS plastic – Versatile thermoplastic with high impact strength and chemical resistance

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or ABS for short, is a widely used thermoplastic known for its high resistance, mechanical strength and versatile processing options. ABS is created by mixing and copolymerizing acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene, giving it an optimal combination of strength, toughness and chemical resistance.

A key feature of ABS is its high resistance to oils, greases and elevated temperatures, which is enhanced by the acrylonitrile content. In addition, it offers excellent rigidity, impact and scratch resistance, making it particularly suitable for applications subject to mechanical stress. Due to its robust properties, ABS is often used in areas that require high resilience.

ABS can be coated with other polymers or metals, which further expands the range of possible uses. However, it should be noted that ABS is normally flammable and produces dark smoke when burned, which can be harmful to health. The recommended continuous use temperature is between 60 and 80 degrees Celsius, which should be taken into account when selecting the material.

ABS is particularly well-known for its use in children's toy blocks, but its versatility extends far beyond that. In the automotive industry, it is used for dashboards, panels and interior components. The electrical and consumer goods industries use ABS for housings for computers, telephones and household appliances. Thanks to its high dimensional stability, easy processing and the possibility of individual surface finishing, ABS remains a preferred material for numerous technical and industrial applications.

Polycarbonate – high-performance plastic with excellent transparency and impact resistance

Polycarbonate, chemically classified as polyesters, is an engineering plastic that is used in many areas and is characterized by its outstanding mechanical and optical properties. With high strength, impact resistance, rigidity and hardness, polycarbonate is particularly robust and durable.

Its high transparency, with a light transmission of 89%, makes it an ideal material for optical components such as lenses, spectacle lenses, protective glazing and headlights. In addition, polycarbonate can be colored in a variety of colors, which increases its design flexibility.

As an excellent electrical insulator, polycarbonate is also used in electrical components. It shows good resistance to many oils and dilute acids, but has limited resistance to bases, some chlorinated hydrocarbons and UV light.

In outdoor applications without a protective coating, polycarbonate can become brittle over time and its transparency may yellow. However, chemical and UV resistance can be improved by using suitable varnishes and stabilizers. In addition, polycarbonates are flammable, with the flame extinguishing once the ignition source is removed, and they meet fire class B2 according to DIN 4102.

Polycarbonate can be processed by all common thermoplastic molding processes, including injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, calendering and pressing. However, the high viscosity of the melt requires processing temperatures of over 240°C and high injection pressure, which in turn places increased demands on the tools. The constant temperature resistance of polycarbonate is between around -60°C and +110°C, with a short-term load capacity of up to +135°C.

Polyamide 6 – high-performance thermoplastic with excellent mechanical properties

Polyamide 6 (PA 6), a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, is known for its balanced mechanical properties and is particularly characterized by excellent sliding and friction properties. In addition to its high abrasion resistance, PA 6 also has good damping properties, which makes it ideal for applications where shock and vibration absorption are required. In addition, it offers excellent strength and toughness that make it virtually unbreakable.

As a polar plastic, polyamide 6 shows good resistance to diluted alkalis, fuels, alcohols, esters, ketones and oils, although it is susceptible to strong acids. Its operating temperature range extends from approximately -30 °C to +100 °C, which can be significantly expanded through modifications such as reinforcement with glass fibers in order to increase the continuous use temperature and thus the performance under thermal stress.

PA 6 plastic parts offer the advantage that they do not corrode and have a low weight. These properties make them an attractive alternative to metallic materials in many areas of application.

Typical areas of application include plain bearings, gears and rollers in mechanical engineering as well as in transport and conveyor technology. In addition, glass fiber reinforced polyamides are used in demanding environments such as the vehicle engine compartment due to their increased temperature resistance and mechanical strength.

In everyday use, we encounter PA 6 products in the form of dowels, cable ties and strings for musical instruments, underlining the versatility of this material. An important aspect of using PA 6 is its increased moisture absorption when stored in water, which must be taken into account when designing products used in humid environments.

PET and PBT – Versatile polyester plastics for demanding applications

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) are two important thermoplastics from the polyester family that are characterized by their versatility and a number of desirable properties. Both materials can be polished, colored and printed to a high shine, increasing their aesthetic flexibility for various applications.

PET is particularly known for its high mechanical strength and hardness. It also offers the advantage of being crease-resistant, tear-resistant, and weather-resistant, while absorbing very little water. These properties make PET an ideal material for the production of hollow articles such as blow-molded bottles, as well as for fibers (polyester), foils, films, and adhesive tapes.

PBT However, due to its more favorable processing properties in injection molding, it is often used as a construction material for technical applications such as connectors and housing parts. It is characterized by greater importance in areas where robustness and precision are required.

Both types of polyester offer a good resistance to many chemicals, oils, fats and alcohols. However, they are unstable to strong inorganic acids, halogenated hydrocarbons and ketones and are sensitive to very high temperatures, burning with a very sooty flame.

While their electrical insulating properties can be classified as mediocre compared to polycarbonates (PC), PET and PBT allow a wide range of application temperatures: semi-crystalline PET can be used permanently from -20 °C to +120 °C, with specific shapes such as PET-C , which have an application range of -20 to +120 °C, and PET-A, which ranges from -40 to +60 °C. PBT, on the other hand, is suitable for temperatures between -50 °C and +120 °C.

The main processes for producing molded parts from PET or PBT are injection molding and extrusion. The injection-stretch blow molding process is used specifically for the production of hollow plastic bodies or bottles, which makes optimal use of the outstanding properties of these materials and ensures high-quality end products.

PMMA – Highly transparent plastic as a glass alternative for versatile applications

PMMA, or polymethyl methacrylate, is a transparent thermoplastic often used as a lighter, shatter-resistant replacement for glass. Known under trade names such as Plexiglas, Acryglas, Lucite and Perspex, PMMA is characterized by its excellent light transmission, weather resistance and UV resistance. These properties make it ideal for applications where clarity and resistance to sunlight are required.

PMMA is easily shaped and machined before it cures, and can be formed into various shapes through casting, extrusion, CNC milling and laser cutting. However, despite its strength and hardness, it is susceptible to scratches and can break under heavy load or impact. PMMA can withstand temperatures from -40 to +75 °C and even up to 100 °C for short periods, while it becomes malleable above 120 °C.

It shows high resistance to many chemical substances, including acids, alkalis of medium concentration and non-polar solvents.
At the chemical level, PMMA consists of methyl methacrylate monomers bonded through polymerization. This structure gives it its characteristic physical properties.

We use PMMA for example for Front cover made of acrylic glass >>

Polyetherimide (PEI) – exceptional temperature and chemical resistance

Polyetherimide's unique combination of mechanical strength, temperature stability, and chemical resistance distinguishes it as a high-performance engineering plastic. Known for its golden-yellow transparency, PEI can be colored black on demand to meet specific design and functional requirements.

PEI impresses with its high mechanical strength, excellent dimensional stability, and remarkable electrical insulation properties. It offers superior dielectric strength and resists hydrolysis and radiation exposure such as UV and gamma rays. It also exhibits exceptional chemical resistance, particularly to chlorine, acidic cleaning agents, and aggressive solvents.

Another key advantage of PEI is its high temperature resistance. The material can withstand long-term temperatures of up to 170 degrees Celsius and can even withstand short-term exposures of over 200 degrees Celsius. Its flame retardancy and low smoke emission make it ideal for safety-critical applications.

Due to its unique properties, polyetherimide is used in numerous technically demanding areas, particularly where materials must withstand extreme temperatures, chemical influences, and high mechanical stress. Whether in aerospace, electrical engineering, medical technology, or the automotive industry – PEI offers a high-performance solution for demanding applications where durability and reliability are crucial.

Polybenzimidazole – high-performance plastic for extreme temperatures and demanding applications

polybenzimidazole (GDP) is a high-performance plastic from the polyimide family characterized by exceptional high-temperature resistance. With a continuous service temperature of over 300°C, PBI retains its mechanical properties even under extreme conditions. These include high strength, stiffness, and creep resistance, making it a reliable material for demanding industrial applications.

In addition to its thermal stability, PBI offers excellent electrical insulation properties, making it ideal for applications requiring reliable electrical insulation. PBI also exhibits inherent flame retardancy, making it a safe choice in areas with stringent fire safety requirements.

Thanks to these unique material properties, polybenzimidazole is used in numerous high-performance industries. In the aerospace industry, it is used for heat-resistant components in engines and heat protection systems. The automotive industry uses PBI for high-temperature seals and insulation components. In fire protection equipment, it is used in flame-resistant protective clothing and heat-resistant textiles. It is also used in the electronics industry as an insulation material for high-temperature circuits and components.

The combination of thermal resistance, mechanical stability, electrical insulation and flame retardancy makes PBI an indispensable material for extreme operating conditions. If you need a material that functions reliably even under the toughest conditions, polybenzimidazole is the ideal solution.