A concise ‘A to Z’ of polymer raw materials
| Standard plastics/Commodities | |
| PS standard (polystyrene) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Polystyrol/BASF, Edistir, Empera, Krasten, Lacqrene, Styron |
| Keywords: | stiff, strong, crystal clear, brittle, easy processing, low cost |
| Grades: | unreinforced, reinforced/filled |
| Use: | packaging, disposable cutlery, covers, cups, toys, CD covers, consumer goods |
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| PS tough (polystyrene) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Polystyrol/BASF, Edistir, Empera, Krasten, Lacqrene, Nova, Styron |
| Keywords: | good toughness, low hardness + stiffness, low cost |
| Grades: | unreinforced, flame retardant, conductive |
| Use: | packaging, cups, music/video cassettes, toys, in-wall sockets, housings, consumer goods |
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| PS copolymers (polystyrene) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. K-Resin, Styrolux |
| Keywords: | crystal clear and tough |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | food and cosmetics packaging, transparent disposable cups, packaging films |
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| PE copolymers (EVA/ethylene-vinyl-acetate) | |
| Trade names | e.g. Elvax, Escorene, Evatane, Greenflex, Miravithene |
| Keywords: | flexible, impact resistant at low temperatures, high stress cracking resistance, low cost |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | packaging films, seals, gaskets, consumer goods |
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| PE-LD/PE-LLD (low density polyethylene) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Borealis-PE, Escorene, Finathene, Lupolen, Riblene, Sabic-PE |
| Keywords: | soft, impact resistant, high chemical and stress cracking resistance, low cost |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | seals, packaging films, plastic bags, toys, champagne corks, consumer goods |
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| PE-HD (high-density polyethylene) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Borealis-PE, Escorene, Finathene, Hostalen, Lacqtene, Lupolen, Rigidex, Sabic-PE |
| Keywords: | tough and hard, high chemical and stress cracking resistance, low cost |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | bottle caps, beverage crates, piling crates, gasoline tanks, toys, pipes, consumer goods |
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| PP Homo (polypropylene, homopolymer) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Borealis-PP, Hostalen-PP, Sabic-PP |
| Keywords: | stiff, harder than PP copo, glossy, low cost |
| Grades: | unreinforced, reinforced/filled (see PP compounds) |
| Use: | household goods, cups, ducked-in containers, housings, seals, packaging, consumer goods |
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| PP Copo (polypropylene, copolymer) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Borealis-PP, Hostalen-PP, Sabic-PP |
| Keywords: | as PP homo, but tougher + higher impact resistance at low temperatures, low cost |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | containers, packaging, toys, car batteries, household goods, piling crates, buckets, consumer goods |
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| PP Random (polypropylene) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. ATOfina-PP, Borealis-PP, Moplen |
| Keywords: | high transparency, low to medium stiffness, low cost |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | transparent household goods, packaging, toys, consumer goods |
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PP compounds (between standard and engineering plastic) |
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| Trade names: | e.g. Borealis-PP, Hostacom, Maxxam, Sabic-PP |
| Keywords: | various settings possible, from tough and flexible to tough and stiff |
| Grades: | reinforced/filled, rubber modified, flame retardant, conductive |
| Use: | automobile parts (interior and exterior), dishwasher parts, garden furniture, housings for domestic appliances, consumer and technical goods |
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| PET (bottle and film types) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Arnite A, Eastar, Radicron, Spectar |
| Keywords: | crystal clear, high impact resistance, suited for food packaging, tasteless, low cost |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | crystal clear and transparent beverage bottles, packaging films |
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| PVC (unplasticized), compounds (polyvinylchloride) | |
| Trade names: | This material is sold under various trade names. |
| Keywords: | various settings possible, from tough and hard to tough and impact resistant, weather resistant, flame retardant, low cost |
| Grades: | pellets and dryblends |
| Use: | profiles for building and furniture industry (window profiles), cable ducts, pipes and fittings for supply and disposal, stiff and crystal clear blister packs |
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| PVC (plasticized) compounds (polyvinylchloride) | |
| Trade names: | This material is sold under various trade names. |
| Keywords: | various settings possible, from soft and flexible to semi hard, elastic, low cost |
| Grades: | pellets and dryblends |
| Use: | profiles for automotive, building, furniture and other industries, flooring, tubes (also for medical use), cable jacketing, shoe soles, soft toys |
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| Engineering plastics | |
| ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Cycolac, Lustran, Magnum, Novodur, Polylac, Terluran |
| Keywords: | universal polymer, stiff, impact resistant, easy processing |
| Grades: | unreinforced, reinforced/filled, flame retardant, conductive etc. |
| Use: | mostly colored, toys (LEGO), housings for domestic appliances (e.g. vacuum cleaners), credit and phone cards, sanitary goods |
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| ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Geloy, Luran S, Rotec ASA |
| Keywords: | like ABS plus: good weather and yellowing resistance, higher gloss |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | mostly colored, parts for exterior use in the construction, electrical, automotive and other industries |
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| SAN (styrene acrylonitrile copolymer) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Kibisan, Kostil, Luran, Lustran-SAN, Tyril |
| Keywords: | crystal clear, scratch resistant, excellent surface gloss, brittle |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | household goods, packaging, tooth brushes, writing and drawing utensils |
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| PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Acryrex, Altuglas, Diakon, Plexiglas |
| Keywords: | highest transparency/brilliance of all plastics, weather and aging resistant |
| Grades: | unreinforced, impact resistant modification |
| Use: | automobile taillights, lenses, magnifying glasses, optical fibres, spectacle lenses, dome roof lights, glazings |
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| Cellulose ester (CA, CP, CAB) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Cellidor, Dexel, Setilithe, Tenite |
| Keywords: | high impact resistance, transparent and weather resistant (CAB), high scratch resistance, good surface feel, partly self-polishing |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | furniture profiles, shoe trees, spectacle frames, tool handles, tooth brushes |
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| PPO/PPE (polyphenylene oxide) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Luranyl, Noryl |
| Keywords: | high strength and dimensional stability, good electrical and thermal properties, sterilizable, good hydrolysis and chemical resistance |
| Grades: | unreinforced, filled/reinforced, flame retardant, foamable etc. |
| Use: | housings, household appliances, coil bobbins, relay parts, parts for sanitary and medical enigneering |
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| POM homo, POM copo (polyacetal) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Delrin, Hostaform, Ultraform |
| Keywords: | solid, hard, stiff, tough, good abrasion resistance, high resilience, good electrical properties |
| Grades: | unreinforced, filled/reinforced, toughened, friction and wear modified etc. |
| Use: | precision parts such as gears, bearings, valves, connectors, latches, furniture fittings |
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| PC/ABS blends | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Bayblend, Cycoloy, Pulse, Romiloy, Stapron C |
| Keywords: | high impact and notched impact resistance at high stiffness, good heat resistance, good fuel resistance |
| Grades: | unreinforced, reinforced, flame retardant |
| Use: | for “attractive”, colored parts mostly in the electrical, automotive, household appliances industries |
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| PC (polycarbonate) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Calibre, Lexan, Makrolon, Panlite,Trirex, Xantar |
| Keywords: | highly transparent and glossy, stiff, super tough, weather resistant, sensitive to fuels, oils etc. |
| Grades: | unreinforced, filled/reinforced, flame retardant, conductive, lubricated etc. |
| Use: | unreinforced: CDs und DVDs, lamp covers, headlight glasses, double-skinned and wave profile sheets, dome roof lights, high-quality household appliances |
| reinforced: precision components for the optical, electrical, electronic and other industries, such as terminal blocks, switch/relay parts, coil bobbins, junction boxes, lamp housings | |
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| PA6 (polyamide) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Akulon, Capron, Durethan, Grilon, Technyl, Ultramid, Zytel |
| Keywords: | solid, stiff, good toughness, good heat resistance, resistant to fuels, oils, greases |
| Grades: | unreinforced, filled/reinforced, impact modified and lubricated, flame retardant |
| Use: | gears, sliding elements, bearing cages, clutch parts, housings, cable ties, dowels, bristles, mono filaments, films |
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| PA6.6 (polyamide) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Akulon, Capron, Durethan, Grilon, Technyl, Ultramid, Zytel |
| Keywords: | similar to PA6, but higher stiffness and strength, higher heat resistance |
| Grades: | see PA6 |
| Use: | see PA6 |
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| PA11 and PA12 (polyamide) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Christamid, Grilamid, Rilsan, Ubesta |
| Keywords: | various settings possible, from hard to flexible, tough, abrasion resistant, resistant to fuels, oils and greases, lowest water absorption of all polyamides, special transparent/clear types available |
| Grades: | unreinforced, softened, reinforced/filled, flame retardant, conductive |
| Use: | precision injection moulded parts (gears, ball cages), wire isolations, fuel and pressure pipes |
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| P6/3T, PA4/6, PA6/6T, PA4/6, PPA and other polyamide specialties | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Amodel, Grivory, Ixef , Stanyl, Trogamid T, Ultramid T, Zytel-HTN |
| Keywords: | much better heat and chemical resistance, stiffness, impact and notched impact resistance, creep resistance as compared to PA6 and PA6.6 |
| Grades: | mostly reinforced/filled |
| Use: | various under-the-hood applications, components for electrical and electronic industries, used for metal substitution |
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| PBT and PET (thermoplastic polyester) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Arnite, Crastin, Pocan, Rynite, Ultradur, Valox |
| Keywords: | solid, stiff, hard, tough (even at low temperatures), partly glossy, high dimensional and chemical stability |
| Grades: | unreinforced, filled/reinforced, impact resistance modified, flame retardant etc. |
| Use: | fuel caps, lamp sockets, coil bobbins, connectors, headlight reflectors, tooth brushes (PET), high-quality packaging (PET) |
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| High-performance plastics | |
| LCP (Liquid Cristal Polymers) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Vectra, Zenite |
| Keywords: | high chemical and heat resistance (temporary up to 300 °C), high tensile strength, flame retardant, short cycle times |
| Grades: | unreinforced, reinforced/filled etc. |
| Use: | mechanically, thermally and electrically stressed components for various industries such as connectors, chip carriers, coil bobbins |
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| PSU, PES (polysulfone, polyether sulfone) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Udel, Ultrason, Radel |
| Keywords: | solid, stiff, high operating temperatures (PSU up to 160 °C, PES up to 200 °C), excellent hydrolysis resistance, good chemical resistance |
| Grades: | unreinforced, reinforced/filled etc. |
| Use: | pump components, gaskets, medical devices, sterilizable components, pipe fittings, membranes, microwave dishes |
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| PEEK (polyether etherketone) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Gatone, Victrex |
| Keywords | highest heat resistance (over 300 °C), high hydrolysis and radiation resistance, flame retardant, excellent chemical resistance |
| Grades: | unreinforced, filled/reinforced etc. |
| Use: | mainly used in the aerospace industry, medical engineering, electrical and automotive industries due to its excellent thermal, chemical and mechanical properties |
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| PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Fortron, Ryton, Tedur |
| Keywords: | hard and stiff, flame retardant, excellent chemical resistance, operating temperatures up to 240 °C |
| Grades: | rarely unreinforced, mostly filled/reinforced, lubricated, conductive etc. |
| Use: | coil bobbins, housings for the electrical and electronic industry, pump components, bearing bushings, running wheels |
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| PEI (polyetherimide) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Ultem |
| Keywords: | excellent metallization and plating properties, good radiation resistance, very low emission of flue gases, operating temperatures up to 170 °C |
| Grades: | unreinforced, reinforced/filled |
| Use: | installation/interior parts in aircrafts, under-the-hood automotive applications, highly stressed sliding components, bearing bushings, gears, capacitor/transformer parts |
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| PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Hylar, Kynar, Solef |
| Keywords: | solid, stiff, tough, high chemical and stress resistance (> 100 °C) |
| Grades: | unreinforced, rarely reinforced/filled |
| Use: | pump components, pipes, valves, fittings, cable coatings, films |
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| PTFE, PFA, FEP, ETFE and other fluoroelastomers | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Dyneon, Teflon, Tefzel |
| Keywords: | highest chemical resistance, insoluble in most solvents, excellent electrical isolation, heat resistant up to 250 °C |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | sliding and guidance components, gaskets, piston rings, bellows, cable coatings, parts for the chemical industry |
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| PU and other TPE (thermoplastic elastomers) | |
| TPE-U (polyurethane elastomers) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Desmopan, Elastollan, Estane, Irogran, Pellethane |
| Keywords: | from tough and hard to tough and flexible, high abrasion resistance, good hydrolysis resistance, good resilience and damping characteristics, good low-temperature flexibility, good resistance to micro organisms, transparent grades available |
| Grades: | unreinforced, more rarely reinforced/filled |
| Use: | damping components, hydraulic tubing, tooth belts, gaskets, bushings, bellows, caster coatings, shoe soles |
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| TPE-E (polyester/polyether elastomers) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Hytrel, Arnitel, Lomod |
| Keywords: | high (impact) toughness, tough and hard, good abrasion resistance, good chemical resistance, relatively high operating temperature |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | industrial wheels, tubes, pipes, gaskets, V-belts, gears, membranes, castors |
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| TPE-A (polyamide elastomers) | |
| Trade names: | e.g. Pebax, Grilamid, Zytel FN |
| Keywords: | from tough and hard to tough and flexible, low surface resistance due to high moisture absorption |
| Grades: | unreinforced |
| Use: | pipes, tubes, bellows, windshield wiper blades, flexible gears, pump membranes, sport shoes, balls |
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| TPE-V, TPE-S elastomers | |
| Trade names: | TPE-V: e.g. Milastomer, Santoprene, Sarlink, TPE-S: e.g. Evoprene, Megol, Multiflex, Thermolast K |
| Keywords: | tough and hard or tough and elastic depending on the grade, hard to soft surfaces, good resilience, good weather resistance, easy processing |
| Grades: | unreinforced, modifiable for good adhesion to PE, PP, PS, PA, POM and other raw materials |
| Use: | tubes, bellows, tool and sporting goods handles, door and window seals, cable coatings, films for interior automobile linings, scuba-diving equipment |
Important! (Disclaimer)
The trade names listed are registered brands of the respective raw material producers. The information above is given for information only and without responsibility. It was compiled in all conscience. Errors and incomplete information expected.