Plastics

Acetal (POM)

Acetal is a polyoxymethylene (POM) compound resin. Delrin® is a noted trade name for this material. Acetal is a light weight, low friction and wear resistant plastic capable of withstanding working temperatures of 200°F (90°C). Delrin® is resistant to liquids, self lubricating and has low coefficient of friction characteristics that makes it well suited for bushing and bearing replacements, particularly in corrosive environments. Delrin® is also FDA approved for use in the food industry.

Acrylics (PMMA)
Acrylics glass is a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) synthetic polymer. This thermoplastic is commonly known as Plexiglas® and Lucite®. It has a high impact strength and will not shatter; but is more susceptible to cracking than polycarbonate. Acrylics are softer and more easily scratched than glass . Acrylics have a higher transmittability of visible light than glass; however UV light is not blocked or filter unlike glass. It allows infrared (IR) light up to 2,800 n-m wavelength to pass freely and essentially blocks IR up to 25,000 n-m.

Noryl® (PPO)
Noryl® is a modified polyphenylene oxide (PPO) resin. This resin has great mechanical stability, impact resistance, high strength, thermal stability properties and low water absorption rates. However, it has poor chemical resistance and color stability. Noryl® is capable of withstanding working temperatures of 220°F (104°C).

Nylon (PA)
Nylon is a generic designation of a synthetic thermoplastic polymer of polyamide (PA). Zytel® is a noted trade name for this material. Nylon is a good electrical insulator. However, it is hygroscopic; thus exposure to moisture will effect its mechanical and electrical properties. The resin may be processed by extrusion, casting and injection molding. Nylon 6/6 is the most commercial grade of nylon.

PVC
PVC is a thermoplastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer. PVC is a rigid polymer with excellent resistance to strong acids and alkyds. It has a working temperature of 176°F (80°C). PVC has a good fire resistance rating; it is difficult to ignite and is typically self extinguishing. PVC-300®, VINTEC I® & NELS-TEK 600® are noted trade names.
CPVC is a thermoplastic produced by chlorination of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer. CPVC shares most of the properties of traditional PVC with some enhancements. It can withstand higher temperatures of corrosive water than PVC. CPVC has a working temperature of 200°F (90°C). It is more ductile than PVC, thus exhibiting greater flexural and crush strength. It has similar fire resistance to that of PVC.

PVDF
PVDF is a polyvinylidene fluoride polymer. Kynar® & Solef® are noted trade names for this material. It is strong and tough as reflected by its tensile properties and impact strength. It is resistant to creep under mechanical loading. It is stable when exposed to UV and sun light. PVDF has high abrasion resistance, thermal stability and high dielectric properties.

Polycarbonate (PC)

Polycarbonate is a group of thermoplastic polyesters. Lexan® & Mackrolon® are noted trade names for this material. It has a high temperature resistance, outstanding impact resistance and outstanding optical properties that make this resin so unique. However, it is susceptible to degradation effects of ultraviolet (UV) light. Lexan® has a working temperature range of -211° to 239°F (-135° to 115°C).

Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer. It is readily resistant to chemical solvents, acids and alkyds. Polypropylene has very good fatigue resistance. Thin sheets are used as dielectric insulators within certain high performance pulse and low loss RF capacitors. It is used in medical products due to its ability to withstand the heat of autoclaving.

Teflon® (PTFE)

Teflon® is a polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) synthetic flouropolymer. It has a working temperature limit of 460°F (237°C). Teflon® has the lowest coefficient of friction of any solid material known. It is commonly used in bushing and bearing applications. Teflon® has excellent dielectric properties, especially at high radio frequencies. It is subject to creep, also known as "cold flow" and "compression set", which can compromise seal integrity. Available in Food grade and Virgin Electrical grade.

UHMW (UHMWPE)
UHMW is a ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) thermoplastic. It is a very tough material with the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic. It is highly resistant to corrosive chemicals, except for oxidizing acids. UHMW has extremely low moisture absorption, very low coefficient of friction and is self lubricating. It is comparable to the properties of Teflon®, except it is more abrasion resistant.