Beyond What I learned in B A Y E R
Polyarylethe-retherketone:
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. 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.
Polybutene - 1 (PB-1)
Is obtained by
polymerisation of butenen-1, with a stereo-specific Ziegler-Natta
catalyst to create a linear, high molecular, isotactic, semi-crystalline
polymer. A major application area for
polybutene resins is seal-peel
or easy-open packaging. Typical examples include carton liners (e.g.
cereal packaging) and packs for prepacked delicatessen products like
cold meats, cheeses and smoked salmon.
Nylons (Polyamides) PA
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.Nylon fibres are used in textiles,fishing line and carpets.
Nylon films is used for food packaging, offering toughness and low gas
permeability, and coupled with its temeprature resistance, for
boil-in-the-bag food packaging.
Polycarbonate (PC)Polycarbonates
are strong, stiff, hard, tough, transparent engineering thermoplastics
that can maintain rigidity up to 140°C and toughness down to-200°C or
special grades even lower.In recent years Polycarbonate blends have
become increasingly commerically important. PC is
widely used in blends due to its excellent compatibility with a range of polymers .
Polyesters (Thermoplastic) PETP,PBT and PET
Blends
are engineering plastics with excellent processing characteristics and
high strength and rigidity for a broad range of 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 Sulphide (PPS)Rigid,
opaque non-burning continuous use at 240°C, good chemical resistance,
good electrical insulators,moisture resistant, rarely used unfilled.
Chemical pumps, hair dryer used unfilled.
Chemical pumps, hair dryer
grills,non-stick cookware (alloyed with PTFE). medical equipment, lamp
bulb bases, TV and automotive components.
Polypropylene (PP)
Semi-rigid, translucent, good chemical resistance, tough, good fatigue resistance, integral hinge
property,
good heat resistance.Flexible and rigid packaging, automotive Bumpers,
cladding, and exterior trim, consumer products, and industrial uses. PP
fibre is used in tape and strapping.
Compatibility with many
different kinds of additives - PVC can be clear or coloured, rigid or
flexible, formulation of the compound is key to PVC.s .added value..
Window frames, drainage pipe,water service pipe, medical devices, blood
storage bags, cable and wire insulation, resilient flooring, roofing
membranes, stationary, automotive interiors and seat coverings, fashion
and footwear, packaging, cling film, credit cards, synthetic leather and other coated fabrics.
Flexible,
clear, elastic, wear resistant and impermeable. Soles and heels for
sports shoes, hammer heads, seals, gaskets, skate board wheels,
synthetic leather fabrics, silent running gears.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Other Specialist Styrenics
Rigid,
opaque, glossy tough, good low temperature properties, good dimensional
stability and easily electroplated, low creep. Telephone handsets,
rigid luggage, domestic appliance housings
(food mixers), electroplated parts, radiator grills, handles, computer housings.
Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN) & Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA)
Rigid,
transparent, tough, resistant to greases, stress cracking and crazing,
easily processed, resistant to food stains. Drinking tumblers, hi-fi
covers, lenses, water jugs and toothbrush
handles, kitchen and picnic ware, radio dials, TV set screens, washing machine trims.
Aramids PI Aromatic Polyamide
Rigid,
opaque, high strength, exceptional thermal and electrical properties
(up to 480°C), resistant to ionising radiation, high cost. Aerospace
components, reinforcing fibres, high temperature resistance foams,
chemical fibres and arc welding torches.
Cellulosics (CA, CAB CAP, CN)
Spectacle
frames, toothbrushes, tool handles, transparent wrapping, metallised
parts (reflectors etc), pen barrels. Spectacle frames, toothbrushes,
tool handles, transparent wrapping, metallised parts (reflectors etc),
pen barrels.
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)Flexible
(rubbery), Transparent, good low temperature flexibility (-70°C), good
chemical resistance, high friction coefficient. Teats, handle grips,
flexible tubing, record turntable mats, beer tubing, vacuum, cleaner
hosing.
Fluoroplastics (PTFE FEP)
Semi-rigid,
translucent, exceptional low friction characteristics, superior chemical
resistance, impervious to fungi or bacteria, high temperature stability
(260°C), low temperature temperature toughness (-160°C), good
weathering resistance and electrical properties. Non-stick coating,
gaskets, packings, bearings, high and low temperature electrical and
medical
applications, laboratory equipment, pump parts, thread seal tape.
Polyacetals (POM)
Rigid,
translucent, tough, spring-like qualities, good stress relaxation
resistance, good wear and electrical properties, resistant to creep and
organic solvents. Business m/c parts, small pressure
vessels, aerosol valves, coil formers, clock and watch parts, nuclear engineering components,
plumbing
systems, shoe components. Flexible, translucent/waxy, weatherproof,
good low temperature toughness (to -60°C), easy to process by most
methods, low cost, good chemical resistance. Chemical drums, jerricans,
carboys, toys, picnic ware, household and kitchenware, cable insulation,
carrier bags, food wrapping material.
Polyethylene (Low Density) LDPE, LLDPE
Semi-rigid,
translucent, very tough,weatherproof, good chemical resistance, low
water absorption, easily processed by most methods, low cost. Squeeze
bottles, toys, carrier bags, high frequency insulation,chemical tank
linings, heavy duty sacks, general packaging, gas and water pipes.
Polymethylpentene (PMP)
Rigid,
tough, lightweight (density 0.83 gm/cm), chemical resistant, additives
are required for outdoor use, highly permeable to gases, transparent
crystalline material. Medical ware, syringes, lamp covers,(good heat
resistance), radar applications, encapsulation, microwave food
packaging.
Poly-phenylene Oxide PPO
Rigid, opaque, good
dimensional stability at high temperature and humidity conditions,
difficult to process (blended to ease injection moulding),tough. Coffee
pot and washing m/c parts (where high temperature and moisture are
critical), replacement for die castings, drink vending
machines,microwave components.
Polystyrene (General Purpose)GPPS
Brittle,
rigid transparent, low shrinkage, low cost, excellent X-ray resistance,
free from odour and taste, easy to process. Toys and novelties, rigid
packaging, refrigerator trays and boxes, cosmetic packs and costume
jewellery, lighting diffusers, audio cassette and CD cases.
Polystyrene (High Impact) HIPSHard,
rigid, translucent, impact strength up to 7 x GPPS, other properties
similar. Yoghurt pots, refrigerator linings, vending cups, bathroom
cabinets, toilet seats and tanks, closures, instrumentcontrol knobs.
Thermosets Unsaturated Polyester (UP)
Rigid,
clear, chemical resistant, highstrength, low creep, good electrical
properties, low temperature impact resistance, low cost. Boat hulls,
building panels, lorry cabs, compressor housing, embedding, coating.
Alkyds (AMC)
Rigid,
tough, heat resistant, good arc and tracking resistance, good long
term, dimensional stability, fungus re- sistant, good colour
stability.Automotive distributor caps, circuit breakers, switch gear,
coloured appliance housing.
Allylics (DAP, DAIP, ADC)
Hard,
transparent, abrasion resistant, good electrical insulation (even in
humid conditions), good chemical/mechanical properties and dimensional
stability.Optical coatings, face shields, sealants for metal castings,
critical long-term high reliability electrical parts (e.g. radomes,
connectors, circuit breakers, switches)
Epoxies (EP)
Rigid, clear, very tough, chemical resistant, good adhesion properties, low curing, low shrinkage.
Adhesives, coatings, encapsulation, electrical components, cardiac pacemakers, aerospace applications.
Furan
Rigid,
brittle, opaque, high strength at elevated temperatures, good chemical
resistance, self extinguishing, low smoke emissions. Chemical plant
(competitive with stainless steel) foundry cases and moulds, specialised
insulating foams, lining of tanks, etc for alkali resistance.
Melamines/Ure (Aminos) (MF, UF)
Hard,
opaque, tough, scratch resistant, self extinguishing, free from taint
and odour, wide colour range, resistant to detergents and dry cleaning
solvents. Decorative laminates, lighting fixtures, dinnerware, heavy
duty electrical equipment, laminating resins, surface coatings, bottle
caps, toilet seats.
Phenolics PF
Hard,
brittle, opaque, good electrical and heat resistance, resistant to
deformation under load, low cost, resistant to most acids. Ashtrays,
lamp holders, bottle caps, saucepan handles, domestic plugs and
switches, welding tongs and electrical iron parts.
Polyurethane cast elastomers (EP)Elastic,
abrasion and chemical resistant, impervious to gases, can be produced
in a wide range of hardness. Printing rollers, solid tyres,wheels, shoe
heels, car bumpers, (particularly suited to low quantity production
runs).
Vinyl Esters
Rigid, translucent, good corrosion
resistance, low viscosity. Chemical tanks, ducts, piping, process
equipment (particularly in corrosive chemical environments).