Engineering Polymers

Engineering polymers are a group of plastic materials that have improved mechanical and thermal properties that make them ideal for all types of engineering applications, replacing traditional materials equal or greater in weight, hardness or other properties, while being much simpler to manufacture, especially with complex shapes. Engineering polymers are a group of plastic materials that have improved mechanical and thermal properties that make them ideal for all types of engineering applications, replacing traditional materials equal or greater in weight, hardness or other properties, while being much simpler to manufacture, especially with complex shapes.

Engineering Polymer Subcategories

Polyamide 6 (PA 6)

This semi-crystalline thermoplastic is one of the most widely used engineering thermoplastics with well-balanced properties in strength, stiffness and chemical resistance. It has improved surface appearance and processability compared to PA 66 but lower modulus and absorbs moisture more rapidly. PA 6 can be processed by extrusion (e.g. fibres, profiles) and injection. PA 6 also has good resistance to fatigue.

Applications:

Gears
Cams
Power housings
Rollers
Bearing
Electrical connectors
Nuts and bolts
Automotive fuel tanks.

Polyamide 66 (PA 66)

PA 6.6 offers an excellent balance of mechanical properties (strength, stiffness, impact) and heat / chemical resistance. Therefore, PA 6.6 very often is considered as an outstanding candidate for metal replacement. It is resistant to heat, which can be advantageous for retention of torsion.

Applications:

Gears
Cams
Power housings
Rollers
Bearing
Electrical connectors
Nuts and Bolts
Automotive fuel tanks

Polycarbonate (PC)

Polycarbonate is a transparent thermoplastic with excellent impact resistance. Its high performance properties make it the leading plastic for various applications requiring high operating temperatures and safety features. Polycarbonates are unique in their working temperatures and in their ability to experience minimal degradation between heating and cooling points.

Applications:

Aircraft parts
Data storage devices
Eye protection components
Electronic components
Safety helmets, etc.

Polyoxymethylene (POM)

POM C, also known as acetal copolymer, is a highly crystalline, and therefore strong and rigid, engineering plastic with a low coefficient of friction compared to metals and other plastics. It is also creep resistant and is recommended for applications where dimensional stability is important. POM H known as acetal homopolymer has a higher mechanical strength, rigidity, hardness and creep resistance than POM C, and a lower coefficient of thermal expansion. Greater density, hardness, durability, less thermal expansion. Greater impact, wear resistance.

Applications:

Bearings
Sprockets
Pump parts
Screws, Coils
Textile industry parts
Coating line media
Sliding applications
Thin wall bushings
Clutch components etc.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) is a general-purpose thermoplastic polymer which belongs to the polyester family of polymers. PET is among those plastics which are an important part of your everyday life.

Application:

Packaging
Fabrics
Films
Molded parts for automotive
Electronics
Water bottles or soda bottle containers.

Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)

PBT is a high-performance thermoplastic that is an optimal choice for food processing applications, as it is FDA- and USDA- approved for use with food. It offers an excellent combination of wear and moisture resistance with strength and toughness. PBT is solvent-resistant at room temperature and can withstand a continuous operating temperature of 230° F. It offers excellent dimensional stability with high creep resistance and low moisture absorption. PBT is easily machined and fabricated.

Applications:

Bushes
Bearings
Pistons
Food processing machinery parts

Ultra High Molecular weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene is a subset of the thermoplastic polyethylene. Also known as high-modulus polyethylene, it is a engineering plastic with high abrasion resistance along with good wear resistance, low coefficient of friction and outstanding impact strength.

Applications include:

Lip seals, hyudraulic seals and seals in abrasive environment.
Wear strips
Guide rails
Orthopedic implants.