Thermoplastics Triangle Find plastic materials for your application with this selection tool.

HIGH PERFORMANCE HIGH SERVICE TEMPERATURE HIGH COST

IMIDIZED MATERIALS   • Best physical properties above 400ºF • Best temperature resistance Vespel® • High temperature, high load IMIDIZED PAI bearing and wear capabilities (bearing grades) MATERIALS • Good chemical resistance 500°F approximate maximum*

TEMPERTURE AMORPHOUS HIGH  350°F 350°F  RISES SEMI-CRYSTALLINE PERFORMANCE MATERIALS approximate approximate HIGH PERFORMANCE MATERIALS • High service temperatures maximum* maximum* • High service temperature ® • High strength PLASTICS PEEK • Excellent chemical resistance ® • Hot water and steam resistance ENGINEERING Radel R PPS • High purity • Thermoformability Ultem® PTFE HIGH PERFORMANCE Polysulfone PVDF (Kynar®)

AMORPHOUS 250°F 250°F SEMI-CRYSTALLINE ENGINEERING PLASTICS approximate approximate ENGINEERING PLASTICS • General purpose structural parts maximum* maximum* • General purpose bearing and wear   TEMPERTURE RISES or structural parts • Moderate strength PET • Moderate temperature • Moderate strength and stiffness PBT • Good dimensional stability • Good chemical resistance • Good Izod impact PLASTICS Polycarbonate Nylon • Moderate temperature ® • Easily fabricated ENGINEERING Noryl PPO Acetal

AMORPHOUS 180°F 180°F SEMI-CRYSTALLINE COMMODITY PLASTICS approximate approximate COMMODITY PLASTICS maximum* Polystyrene • Low temperature  maximum* TEMPERTURE • Low temperature PVC  RISES • Low strength • Low strength • Good bondability ABS • Good chemical resistance • Good machinability Acrylic Polypropylene • Low moisture absorption PLASTICS

• Good formability COMMODITY PETG Polyethylene • Low cost

• Low cost KYDEX® (HDPE, LDPE, UHMW-PE)

GENERAL GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AMORPHOUS PLASTICS SEMI-CRYSTALLINE PLASTICS CHARACTERISTICS Softens over a wide temperature range Sharp melting point Easy to thermoform Difficult to thermoform Transparent Opaque Poor chemical resistance Good chemical resistance Bonds well using adhesives or solvents Difficult to bond using adhesives or solvents Prone to stress cracking Resistant to stress cracking Poor fatigue resistance Good fatigue resistance Structural applications only Good for bearing and wear (not suitable for bearing and wear) (as well as structural applications)

*Materials should be considered for applications up to approximate maximum temperature. Selecting a plastic material for use in a high temperature environment requires careful review of material properties data. This chart is for comparison purposes only.

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