Materials database

Polyamide 612 — partially bio-based (dodecanedioic acid from palm kernel oil). Even lower moisture absorption than PA610 (~0.9% saturated vs ~1.4%). Better dimensional stability than PA6/PA66 in humid environments. Trade names: Zytel 151/158 (DuPont), Vestamid D (Evonik). Used for precision gears, cable ties, fuel system components, and monofilaments. Between PA610 and PA12 in the moisture/stiffness spectrum.

Polyamide 66 — stiffer and more heat-resistant than PA6. Higher crystallinity gives better creep resistance and ~40°C higher melting point (260°C vs 220°C). Slightly more brittle. More moisture-sensitive at saturation than PA6. Trade names include Ultramid A (BASF), Zytel 101 (DuPont), Tecamid 66 (Ensinger). Dominant in US/UK markets. Used for automotive engine components, electrical connectors, gears, cable ties, and industrial bushings.

PA66 with 15% short glass fiber — light reinforcement giving a good balance of increased stiffness and retained toughness. Less brittle than GF30/GF50 variants (El ~5% vs 3%). E-Mod ~6 GPa (vs 3 unfilled, 9.5 GF30). Trade names: Ultramid A3EG3 (BASF), Zytel 70G15 (DuPont). Used for structural clips, cable ties, fan shrouds, and housings where moderate stiffness increase is needed without sacrificing too much impact resistance.

Polyamide 66 with 30% short glass fiber — stronger and more heat-resistant than PA6 GF30 due to higher-Tm base polymer. UTS ~190 MPa dry, HDT ~250°C. THE automotive under-hood material for structural brackets. Trade names include Ultramid A3WG6 (BASF), Zytel 70G30 (DuPont), Durethan AKV 30 (LANXESS), Technyl A218 V30 (Domo). Used for engine brackets, radiator end tanks, air intake manifolds, and electrical connectors.

Polyamide 9T — semi-aromatic PA based on 1,9-nonanediamine and terephthalic acid. Lowest moisture absorption of any semi-crystalline polyamide (<0.3% at 50% RH). Tm 300-310°C, excellent dimensional stability. Kuraray exclusive: Genestar. Superior to PA6T in processability (lower Tm) while maintaining high-temp performance. Used for SMT connectors (reflow-compatible), automotive ECU housings, LED reflectors, and precision mechanical parts requiring minimal moisture-induced dimensional change.

Polybutylene Terephthalate — semi-crystalline polyester with fast crystallization (short cycle times), very low moisture absorption (0.15%), excellent dimensional stability, and good electrical properties. Key advantage over PA: properties nearly independent of humidity. Trade names include Ultradur (BASF), Celanex/Crastin (Celanese/DuPont), Valox (SABIC), Arnite T (DSM). Used for electrical connectors, relay housings, automotive sensors, and any precision part in humid environments.

Polybutylene Terephthalate with 30% glass fiber — THE connector and electrical component material. Key advantage over PA6 GF30: near-zero moisture absorption (0.02-0.2%), so mechanical and electrical properties are stable regardless of humidity. Lower UTS than PA6 GF30 but consistent. Trade names include Ultradur B4300 G6 (BASF), Valox 420 (SABIC), Celanex (Celanese), Crastin (DuPont). Used for electrical connectors, relay housings, coil formers, automotive sensors, and any part requiring dimensional stability in humid environments.

Polycarbonate — the transparent high-impact engineering plastic. Amorphous with outstanding impact strength (virtually unbreakable at room temp), optical clarity (~90% light transmission), and good heat resistance (Tg 145-150°C). Trade names include Lexan (SABIC), Makrolon (Covestro). Used for safety glazing, machine guards, automotive headlamp lenses, CDs/DVDs, riot shields, and electronic housings.

Glass-fiber reinforced polycarbonate (30% short glass fiber). Combines PC's inherent impact resistance and transparency with dramatically improved stiffness, strength, creep resistance, and dimensional stability. UL94 V-0 flame rating. Very low moisture absorption (<0.15%) ensures stable properties in humid environments. HDT ~145°C under load. Trade names: Makrolon GF, Lexan GF, TECANAT GF30. Used for structural housings, electrical connectors, automotive lamp bezels, precision jigs/fixtures, load-bearing brackets, and 3D-printed functional parts (FDM).

Polycarbonate + ABS blend — one of the most widely used industrial thermoplastic alloys. Combines PC impact strength and heat resistance with ABS processability and lower cost. Better chemical resistance than pure PC. Properties tunable by PC/ABS ratio. Trade names include Bayblend (Covestro), Cycoloy (SABIC), Pulse (Techpolymers). Used for automotive dashboards, laptop/phone housings, power tool casings, and 3D printing (FDM filament).

Poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate) — a semi-crystalline polyester made from terephthalic acid and cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) instead of ethylene glycol. Melting point 290°C and Tg 90°C, significantly higher than PET (Tm 255°C) and PBT (Tm 225°C). Excellent hydrolysis resistance and electrical insulation, especially suited for lead-free solder (SMT) reflow processes in electronics. Primary applications: LED packaging, electronic connectors for SMT assembly, automotive ignition coils, lamp sockets, high-performance electrical insulation. Dominant brand: Eastman Thermx (inventor and market leader).

High-density polyethylene pipe grade with MRS (Minimum Required Strength) of 10 MPa at 20°C/50 years. The global standard material for pressurized gas and water distribution pipelines (DN 20 to DN 2000). Bimodal molecular weight distribution provides excellent ESCR (Environmental Stress Crack Resistance), slow crack growth resistance and impact strength. SDR ratings from 7.4 to 26. Fusion-weldable (butt, electro, socket). Operating temperature -40°C to +60°C. Compliant with ISO 4427 (water) and ISO 4437 (gas).

High Density Polyethylene — the highest-volume plastic globally (>30M tons/year). Linear chains with minimal branching give higher density and strength vs LDPE. Excellent chemical resistance, FDA/food-safe, very low moisture absorption, and good impact resistance down to -30°C. Used for pipes, bottles, containers, fuel tanks, cutting boards, playground equipment, and geomembranes.

Low-density polyethylene — branched chain structure gives flexibility, transparency, and easy processing. THE film/packaging polymer: cling wrap, carrier bags, squeeze bottles, shrink wrap. Also used for cable insulation, agricultural film, and coatings. Lower density (0.91-0.93) and strength than PE-HD but much more flexible.

Linear low-density polyethylene — short-chain branching via copolymerization with alpha-olefins (butene, hexene, octene). Better puncture resistance, tear strength, and seal strength than PE-LD at same density. THE modern stretch wrap and food packaging film. Also used for agricultural film, liners, bags, and blown film. Largely replacing PE-LD in film applications.

Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene — the highest impact-strength thermoplastic. Molecular weight 2-6 million g/mol. Self-lubricating, extremely wear-resistant (15x better than carbon steel), and chemically inert. Used for hip/knee implant bearings, conveyor guides, dock fenders, chute liners, food processing equipment, and ballistic armor (Dyneema/Spectra fiber form).

Polyetheretherketone — the premium engineering thermoplastic. Exceptional mechanical properties maintained to 260°C continuous use. Resistant to virtually all organic solvents and acids. Biocompatible (ASTM F2026). Used as metal replacement in aerospace, automotive engine parts, medical implants (spinal cages), semiconductor wafer handling, and oil/gas downhole seals.

PEEK with 30% short carbon fiber — the stiffest and strongest injection-moldable thermoplastic compound available. E-Mod ~24 GPa (vs 11 GPa GF30, 4.1 unfilled). UTS ~212 MPa. Electrically conductive (antistatic/EMI shielding). Outstanding wear/friction properties. Trade names: Victrex 450CA30, TECAPEEK CF30 (Ensinger), KetaSpire CF30 (Solvay). Used for semiconductor wafer handling, bearing cages, compressor components, and metal-replacement structural parts.

PEEK with 30% short glass fiber reinforcement. Dramatically increased stiffness (E-Mod 11 GPa vs 4.1 unfilled) and strength (UTS 160 vs 100 MPa) with reduced elongation and creep. Maintains PEEK's chemical resistance and high-temp capability (continuous 250°C). Trade names: Victrex 450GL30, TECAPEEK GF30 (Ensinger), KetaSpire GF30 (Solvay). Used for structural brackets, pump housings, valve seats, bearing cages, and semiconductor wafer handling where higher stiffness than unfilled PEEK is needed.

PEEK compound optimized for tribological applications — typically PEEK + 10% PTFE + 10% graphite + 10% carbon fiber. Extremely low coefficient of friction (0.15–0.25 vs 0.40 for unfilled PEEK), very low wear rate, excellent PV-limit. Maintains performance at temperatures up to 260°C. Trade names: Victrex HPV (Victrex), TECAPEEK PVX (Ensinger), Ketron HPV (Mitsubishi Chemical). Replaces bronze, Babbitt and other metallic bearings. Used for bushings, thrust washers, seal rings, compressor parts, pump wear rings and sliding components in food/pharma/oil&gas.

Polyetherimide — high-performance amorphous thermoplastic. Similar properties to PEEK at lower cost but lower impact strength and use temp. Transparent amber color. Tg 217°C, inherent flame resistance (UL94 V-0 at 0.4mm), very low smoke. Hydrolytically stable (2000+ autoclave cycles). Trade name Ultem (SABIC). Used for aerospace interior panels, medical sterilizable devices, electrical insulators, semiconductor handling, and 3D-print build plates.

Polyetherimide with 30% glass fiber — Ultem 2300 (SABIC). 2x the stiffness of unfilled PEI (E-Mod 9.5 vs 3.3 GPa) with UTS ~155 MPa. Retains PEI's inherent flame retardance (V-0), chemical resistance, and high Tg (217°C). Reduced elongation (3% vs 60% unfilled). Used for structural aircraft interior brackets, electrical connector housings, under-hood automotive, and medical device components requiring rigidity + flame retardance.

Polyethylene Naphthalate — a semi-crystalline polyester similar to PET but with naphthalene ring replacing the benzene ring in the backbone. Tg ~120°C (vs PET 75°C), dramatically improved gas barrier (5× better O₂ barrier than PET), UV resistance, and dimensional stability. Melting point 270°C. More expensive than PET, used where thermal or barrier performance justifies cost. Primary applications: high-performance films for flexible electronics/OLED substrates (Teonex Q65), capacitor films, refillable hot-fill beverage bottles, high-barrier food packaging, specialty magnetic tape, microwaveable containers. Dominant producer: Teijin.

Polyethersulfone — an amorphous high-performance thermoplastic from the sulfone family (PSU/PES/PPSU). Highest continuous service temperature among standard sulfones (up to 180°C), glass transition 220°C. Transparent amber color, excellent dimensional stability, hydrolytic stability even under steam sterilization (>1000 cycles). High mechanical strength maintained at elevated temperatures. Commercialized in 1972 by ICI and 3M. Typical applications: aerospace interior components, membrane filters (ultrafiltration), medical sterilizable devices, hot water fittings, battery components, electronic connectors, food service equipment.