Most plastics are thermoplastics.

Most thermoplastics are commodity.

Engineering Thermoplastics

The most common!!Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Polycarbonate (PC)Polyamides (PA or Nylon)

Polymer Materials

Engineering Resins ABS Nylon Polycarbonate Acetal Acrylic Cellulosics Ionomer

Polymer Materials

Engineering Resins (cont) PBT PET PPO

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

ABS

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

This is an ethenic engineering plastic i.e. basic monomer structure as

ethylene – just modifying polystyrene by: Adding plasticizer and copolymers of

styrene butadiene and styrene acrylonitrile to produce a polystyrene terpolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene (ABS).

ABS

butadiene

ABS

Major Uses Appliance Housings Canoes Typewriter Keys Pipes & Pipe Fittings Telephone Housings

ABS

Why would you want to use it? Low to Medium Cost Good Impact Strength Good Chemical Resistance High Gloss Surface Finish Good Flexural Properties

ABS

Processes Injection Molding Extrusion Blow Molding Thermoforming

ABS

Long Term Service Temperature Max = 135° Min = Already below Tg

ABSProperty

Low HighSpecific Gravity 1.010 1.060Price 0.84 0.92 $/lbTensile Strength 6000 psiFlexural Modulus 300 ksiIZOD (Notched) 3 ft lbs/in% Water Absorption 0.3% Max Crystallinity 0Tg 220 °FHDT @ 264 210 °F

ABS

Material Suppliers GE Monsanto DOW

Other Styrenic Blends

HIPS SAN SMA - Styrene Maleic Anhydride ~ EPS

Nylon

PA - Polyamide

Nylon

Types Most Common

Nylon 6 Nylon 6/6

Nylon 6/10 Nylon 6/12 Nylon 11 Nylon 12

“/” = copolymer for example, nylon 6/10 = copolymers of nylon 6 and 10. The numbers refer to how many methyl units (-CH2-) occur on each side of the nitrogen atoms (amide groups). The difference in number of methyl units influences the property profiles of the various nylons. See link below:

http://www.sdplastics.com/nylon.html

http://www.ides.com/generics/Nylon/Nylon_typical_properties.htm

Nylon

Suffixes refer to number of carbon atoms involved in the condensation polymerization process. EX:

• Crystalline – Yes, very flexible• Hygroscopic – Yes (O and N)• Glass Transition = (135 F)• Flammability – Varies depending on additives, but

will usually self extinguish because of N

Nylon

Nylon

Major Uses Structural parts!! (i.e. replacement for cast

aluminum 380 series) Electrical Connectors Gears Bearings Cable Ties Fishing Line Automotive Valve Covers/Oil Pans Sports/Exercise Equipment

Nylon

Why would you want to use it? High Strength – among the highest

of all engineering plastics Good Heat Resistance Good Chemical Resistance Excellent Wear Resistance Good Fatigue Resistance

Nylon

Processes Injection Molding Extrusion Blow Molding Rotational Molding Thermoforming

Nylon 6Property

Low HighSpecific Gravity 1.120 1.140Price 1.52 1.56 $/lbTensile Strength 14000 psiFlexural Modulus 400 ksiIZOD (Notched) 1.5 ft lbs/in% Water Absorption 2.7% Max CrystallinityTg 145 °FHDT @ 264 250 °F

Nylon 6/6 = most commonProperty

Low HighSpecific Gravity 1.130 1.150Price 1.56 1.67 $/lbTensile Strength 12000 psiFlexural Modulus 420 ksiIZOD (Notched) 1 ft lbs/in% Water Absorption 2.5% Max Crystallinity 65Tg 55 °FHDT @ 264 490 °F

Nylon

Material Suppliers Dupont Hoechst Celanese Monsanto BASF Bayer

More on Nylon

One of the first “engineering” plastics (30s).

Crystalline thermoplastic Can have tensile properties comparable

to soft aluminum. Types 6 and 6/6 are the most

common!! Biggest disadvantage – tendency to

absorb moisture after prolonged period

Su = 35 ksi!!

Polycarbonates (PC)

Polycarbonate

• Crystalline – No, too rigid• Hygroscopic – Yes (O)• Glass Transition – High (300 F)• Flammability – No (High number of double carbon

bonds will extinguish –soot)

Polycarbonates (PC)

Polycarbonates are amorphous linear polyesters with excellent moldability.

Good impact strength, temperature resistance.

Transparent (aka Plexiglas) Tensile strength similar to ABS and

nylon except impact strength can be 10X greater! But……Costs more and susceptible to environmental stress cracking.

Polycarbonates (PC)

Uses include: Helmets (football and hard hats),

face shield, power tool housings, cell phones, automotive dashboards, window cranks, small gears, etc.

Acetal

Polyoxymethylene (Acetal or POM)• Crystalline – Yes, very flexible• Hygroscopic – Yes (O)• Glass Transition – Low (-100 F)• Flammability – Yes (only C and O bonds)

Acetal

Major Uses Gears Bearings Faucet Components Fuel Pump Components Refrigerator Clips Zippers

Acetal

Why would you want to use it? Low to Medium Cost Good Chemical Resistance High Strength Excellent Fatigue Good Creep Resistance Lubricity Dimensional Stability at High

Temperature

Acetal

Processes Injection Molding Extrusion Blow Molding Rotomolding

Acetal

Long Term Service Temperature Max = 200° Min = ~ -100

AcetalProperty

Low HighSpecific Gravity 1.420Price 1.44 1.5 $/lbTensile Strength 10000 psiFlexural Modulus 430 ksiIZOD (Notched) 1.5 ft lbs/in% Water Absorption 0.3% Max Crystallinity 85Tg -103 °FHDT @ 264 260 °F

Acetal

Material Suppliers DuPont Hoechst Celanese BASF LNP

Acrylic

PMMA

Polymethylmethacrylate (Acrylic)

• Crystalline – No, too rigid (dual methyl groups)• Hygroscopic – Yes (O)• Glass Transition – High (220 F)• Flammability – Yes (only C-H and C=O bonds)

Acrylic

Major Uses Sheet

Windows Displays

Signs Surgical Instruments

Acrylic

Why would you want to use it? Low Cost Good Chemical Resistance Hardness Good Creep Resistance Transparency Best Polymer for Weatherability

Acrylic

Processes Casting Injection Molding Extrusion Thermoforming

Acrylic

Long Term Service Temperature Max = 80° Min = Already below Tg

AcrylicProperty

Low HighSpecific Gravity 1.170 1.200Price 0.82 0.87 $/lbTensile Strength 8500 psiFlexural Modulus 350 ksiIZOD (Notched) 0.45 ft lbs/in% Water Absorption 0.3% Max Crystallinity 0Tg 220 °FHDT @ 264 190 °F

Acrylic

Material Suppliers AtoHaas Continental DuPont ICI

Cellulosic

Cellulosic

Major Uses Tool Handles Safety Glasses Tooth Brush Handles Automotive and Furniture Trim Toys Tubing Writing Instruments

Cellulosic

Why would you want to use it? Low Cost Medium Chemical Resistance Hardness Transparency Rigid

Cellulosic

Processes Casting Injection Molding Extrusion

Cellulosic

Long Term Service Temperature Max = 220° Min = Already below Tg

CellulosicProperty

Low HighSpecific Gravity 1.220 1.340Price 1.75 1.78 $/lbTensile Strength 3000 psiFlexural Modulus 280 ksiIZOD (Notched) 4.4 ft lbs/in% Water Absorption 2.3% Max Crystallinity 60Tg 248 °FHDT @ 264 135 °F

Cellulosic

Material Suppliers Albis Eastman Kleer Rotuba

Ionomer

Ionomer

Major Uses Golf Ball Covers Automotive Bumper Pads Film for Food and Drugs

Ionomer

Why would you want to use it? Good Resilience Good Flexibility Abrasion Resistance Good Chemical Resistance

Ionomer

Processes Injection Molding Extrusion

Ionomer

Long Term Service Temperature Max = 100° Min = -40

IonomerProperty

Low HighSpecific Gravity 0.930 0.960Price $/lbTensile Strength 2500 5400 psiFlexural Modulus 3 55 ksiIZOD (Notched) 7 ft lbs/in% Water Absorption 0.1 0.5% Max CrystallinityTg °FHDT @ 264 93 100 °F

Ionomer

Material Suppliers Amoco BASF

THERMOSETS:

Polymer Materials

Thermoset EPOXY Melamine Urea Phenolic Polyester Vinyl Ester

EPOXY

EPOXY

Major Uses Encapsulating Electronic

Components Bobbins for Coil Windings Adhesives

Epoxy

Why would you want to use it? High Mechanical Strength Outstanding Adhesive Properties Good Resistance to Heat Good Chemical Resistance

Epoxy

Processes Compression/Transfer Molding Injection Molding

EpoxyProperty

Low HighSpecific Gravity 1.720 1.930Price 1.30 1.42 $/lbTensile Strength 6200 psiFlexural Modulus 360 ksiIZOD (Notched) 0.22 ft lbs/in% Water Absorption% Max Crystallinity 0Tg 480 °FHDT @ 264 195 °F

Epoxy

Material Suppliers Ciba-Geigy Dow Shell

Melamine (Amino)

Melamine

Major Uses Molded Dinnerware Electric Shaver Housings Buttons Ashtrays Connector Bodies

Melamine

Why would you want to use it? High Surface Hardness Good Heat Resistance Good Flame Resistance Resists Chipping and Breaking

Melamine

Processes Compression/Transfer Molding Injection Molding

Melamine (Alpha Cellulose)Property

Low HighSpecific Gravity 1.500Price 0.90 0.94 $/lbTensile Strength 5000 13000 psiFlexural Modulus 1100 ksiIZOD (Notched) 0.27 0.34 ft lbs/in% Water Absorption 0.4 0.8% Max CrystallinityTg °FHDT @ 264 360 °F

Melamine

Material Suppliers American Cynamid BIP Bud Co.

Urea (Amino)

Urea

Major Uses Control Housings Wiring Devices Control Buttons Knobs

Urea

Why would you want to use it? High Surface Hardness Good Heat Resistance Good Flame Resistance Resists Chipping and Breaking

Urea

Processes Compression/Transfer Molding Injection Molding

Urea (Alpha Cellulose)Property

Low HighSpecific Gravity 0.900 1.310Price 0.67 0.83 $/lbTensile Strength 5500 13000 psiFlexural Modulus 1300 1600 ksiIZOD (Notched) 0.25 0.4 ft lbs/in% Water Absorption% Max CrystallinityTg °FHDT @ 264 260 290 °F

Urea

Material Suppliers American Cynamid BIP Bud Co.

Phenolic

Phenolic

Major Uses Electrical Products Connectors Cooking ware (recall plate) Ashtrays Utensil Handles Elecrtic Motor Components Knobs

Phenolic

Why would you want to use it? Good Heat Resistance Good Flame Resistance Good Rigidity Good Creep Resistance

Phenolic

Processes Compression/Transfer Molding Injection Molding

Phenolic (Wood Floor)Property

Low HighSpecific Gravity 1.370 1.460Price 0.74 1.50 $/lbTensile Strength 5000 9000 psiFlexural Modulus 1000 1200 ksiIZOD (Notched) 0.2 0.6 ft lbs/in% Water Absorption% Max CrystallinityTg °FHDT @ 264 300 370 °F

Phenolic

Material Suppliers Amoco Electronic Rogers Plenco

Vinylester

Vinylester

Major Uses Pipe Electrical Equipment Grating Exhaust Stacks Washer Drums Chemical Tanks

Vinylester

Why would you want to use it? Good Heat Resistance Excellent Bonding to Fibers Good Chemical Resistance Good Rigidity Good Creep Resistance

Vinylester

Processes Hand Lay-Up Compression/Transfer Molding Injection Molding

Vinylester (15% Glass Fiber)Property

Low HighSpecific Gravity 1.850Price 1.69 1.72 $/lbTensile Strength 6000 psiFlexural Modulus 18 ksiIZOD (Notched) 8 ft lbs/in% Water Absorption% Max CrystallinityTg °FHDT @ 264 350 °F

Vinylester

Material Suppliers Premix Glastic Reichold