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An Overview

Thermoplastic is a type of plastic that melts to a liquid when heated and resolidifies when cooled. This type of plastic can be remelted and remolded making them ideal for recycling. Some types of thermoplastics are:

  • Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS): Known for strength and toughness. Applications include computer and household appliance housings, crash helmets and electroplated bathroom furniture.
  • Fluoropolymers: Solvent and chemical resistance is the best of all the thermoplastics but low strength and stiffness. Applications include bearings, chemical vessel linings, gaskets and non-stick coatings.
  • Polyamides (PAs - Nylons): Good strength and toughness with excellent fatigue resistance but prone to absorb moisture. Material of choice for applications such as power tool housings. Also used in sterilizable medical components and sight glasses.
  • Polyarylates (PAryls): Tough, resistant to UV radiation, resistant to heat and, in amorphous form, transparent but properties deteriorate in water. Applications include solar panels, lighting, fire helmets and electrical connectors.
  • Polycarbonate (PC): Tough, transparent, and almost self extinguishing. Applications include glazing panels, light fittings, safety helmets and medical components.
  • Thermoplastic Polyesters (PET, PBT): Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) are the most common thermoplastic polyesters. Contact with water at temperatures as low as 50°C has a detrimental effect on properties. PET is used commonly used for bottles of carbonated drinks. Applications for PBT include electrical connectors, pump components, and gears, as well as under bonnet and exterior parts for cars.
  • Thermoplastic Polyimides (PI, PAI, PEI): Polyimides (PI) are noted for their high temperature performance. Polyamideimide (PAI) is the strongest of the unreinforced thermoplastics over its operating range. PAI applications include valves, bearings, gears, electrical connectors and jet engine parts. Polyetherimides (PEI) are amorphous. PEI applications include under hood components, medical equipment component, and microwave cookware.
  • Polyoxymethylene (POM Acetal): Excellent solvent resistance, fatigue resistance, surface finish and predictable mechanical properties over a wide temperature range but have inferior impact and abrasion resistance. Applications include cams, gears, exterior car door handles, electric kettles, wash basins and shower heads, as well as snap fit components and toys.
  • Polyphenylene Oxide (PP0): High strength, tough and heat resistant but difficult to process and expensive. Applications include electrical fittings, car fascia panels, TV components, and computer housings.
  • Polyaryletherketones (PEEK, PEK): Excellent mechanical properties, good thermal stability and good chemical resistance but very expensive and difficult to process. Applications include high temperature wire covering and printed circuit boards and valves, pumps, and missile nose cones.
  • Polysulphones (PSul, PES): Polysulphone (PSul) has good heat resistance and stiffness. Polyethersulphone (PES) has a higher continuous use temperature (180°C). Applications include electrical and electronic applications, medical components requiring repeated sterilization, microwave cookware and under bonnet and aerospace components.
  • Polyphenylene sulphide (PPS): Self extinguishing and any smoke that does form is lower in toxicity compared to that given off by many polymers. Applications include chemically resistant coatings, chemical pumps and electrical components.
  • Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCPs): Offers the best high temperature and fire resistance properties of all the thermoplastics. Applications include conventional and microwave oven cookware and in electronic and automotive markets.

 

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