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