Plastic Extrusion Materials
Material Type: UPVC (Rigid PVC)
Density (gms/cm3): 1.4 – 1.6
Temperature range for use. °C:
Characteristics:
- Low cost.
- Self-extinguishing.
- Wide range of colours and grades (including clear grades).
- Indoor and outdoor use, good chemical resistance.
Applications: Windows frames, tubes, drainage pipe, trunking, fencing, trims, electrical trunking
Material Type: PVC (flexible PVC)
Density (gms/cm3): 1.2 – 1.6
Temperature range for use. °C:
Characteristics:
- Wide range of softness and colours available.
- Both indoor and outdoor use.
- Low cost.
Applications: Gaskets, seals, bumpers, sleeves, straps, trims, medical tubing
Material Type: ABS
Density (gms/cm3): 1.0 – 1.2
Temperature range for use. °C: -20 to 80
Characteristics:
- Good impact resistance due to synthetic rubbers.
- Good high and low temperature resistance
- Zero halogen grades available.
- Good adhesive properties.
- Mainly internal use.
- Good rigidity and chemical resistance.
- Fire resistant grades available.
Applications: Automotive trim and interior components, phones, golf club heads, water transfer tubing, freezer cabinets, toys
Material Type: H.I.PS (High Impact Polystyrene)
Density (gms/cm3): 1.0
Temperature range for use. °C:
Characteristics:
- Mostly used indoors but outdoor grades are available.
- Good adhesive properties.
- Range of colours also clear grades available.
- Medium cost.
- Fire resistant grades available.
Applications: Light diffusers, point of sale displays, tubes
Material Type:
POLYETHYLENE
High Density (HDPE)
Low Density (LDPE)
Density (gms/cm3):
0.91 -0.93 (LDPE)
0.94 -0.97 (HDPE)
Temperature range for use. °C:
Characteristics:
- Good chemical resistance.
- Good low temperature performance.
- Tough.
- Low smoke, zero halogen grades available
- Good impact resistance.
- Low specific gravity.
Applications:
LDPE
Squeeze bottles, water pipe, tubes, packaging, carrier bags
HDPE
Chemical drums, packaging, pipes and tubes
Material Type: POLYPROPYLENE
Density (gms/cm3): 0.90
Temperature range for use. °C:
Characteristics:
- Good resistance to chemicals.
- Inernal hinge properties
- Good high temperature resistance.
- Mainly indoor but some external use.
Applications: Non load bearing hinges, tubes, pipe, electrical cable insulation
Material Type: POLYCARBONATE
Density (gms/cm3): 1.20
Temperature range for use. °C:
Characteristics:
- Good high temperature performance.
- Extremely strong.
- Wide range of grades available including U.V. stabilised and superior flame retardant grades.
- Clear and opaque grades available.
- Higher cost.
- Limited chemical resistance.
Applications:Water bottles, light diffusers, optical reflectors, eye protection
Material Type: TPE
Density (gms/cm3): 0.9 -1.2
Temperature range for use. °C:
Characteristics:
- Wide range of grades and hardness.
- Replaces flexible PVC.
- Medical uses.
- Good recovery.
Applications: Medical tubing, straps, bushes,electrical cable insulation, door seals
Material Type: NYLON 6
Density (gms/cm3): 1.2
Temperature range for use. °C:
Characteristics:
- Expensive but cheapest of the nylon grades.
- High tensile strength.
- Tough.
- Good resistance to abrasion with low friction properties.
Applications: Gears, Bearings, pneumatic airline tubing, rods