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Material Types
Spares |
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Thermo-
plastics |
Properties |
Applications |
PEEK™
(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)
|
PB-1 is obtained by
polymerisation of butene-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 pre-packed 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 temperature 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 140oC and toughness down to -20°C or
special grades even lower. |
In recent years
Polycarbonate blends have become increasingly commercially important.
PC is widely used in blends due to its excellent compatibility with a
range of polymers |
Polyesters
(Thermoplastic)
PETP, PBT, PET
|
PBT, PET and PBT
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 insulator, moisture resistant, rarely 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. |
Polyvinyl
Chloride
PVC
|
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. |
Thermoplastic Elastomers
TPE, TPR
|
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 toughness (-160'C), good weathering
resistance and electrical properties. |
Non-stick coating,
gaskets, packing's, 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. |
Polyethylene
(High Density)
HDPE
|
Flexible, translucent
/ waxy, weatherproof, good low temperature toughness (to -60'C), easy
to process by most methods, low cost, good chemical resistance.
|
Chemical drums,
Jerri-cans, 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. |
Polymeth-ylpentene
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)
HIPS
|
Hard, 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, instrument control knobs. |
|
Thermosets |
Properties |
Applications |
|
Unsaturated Polyester UP |
Rigid, clear, chemical resistant, high strength, 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 resistant, 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). |
|