Materials database

Polyphenylene Sulfide — semi-crystalline high-performance thermoplastic. Broadest chemical resistance of any engineering plastic — no known solvents below 200°C. Inherently flame-resistant (V-0 without additives, LOI 44%). Very low moisture absorption (<0.02%). Brittle in unfilled form — usually glass-fiber reinforced for structural use. Trade names include Ryton (Solvay), Fortron (Celanese), Torelina (Toray), Durafide (Polyplastics). Used for chemical pump components, filter bags, electrical insulation, and as base resin for GF40 compounds.

Polyphenylene Sulfide with 40% glass fiber — the ultimate under-hood engineering plastic. Service to 240°C continuous, inherently V-0 flame resistant without additives, near-zero moisture absorption (<0.02%), exceptional chemical resistance (comparable to PEEK/fluoropolymers). Trade names include Ryton R-4 (Solvay), Fortron 1140L4 (Celanese), Tedur (INEOS), TECATRON GF40 (Ensinger). Used for automotive water pump impellers, thermostat housings, EGR valves, LED reflectors, and semiconductor wafer carriers.

Polyphenylsulfone — highest-performance sulfone polymer. Better impact and chemical resistance than PSU and PEI. Withstands >1000 steam autoclave cycles at 134°C without property loss. Tg 220°C. Transparent amber, colorable. Inherently flame-retardant (V-0). FDA/USP Class VI/ISO 10993 compliant. Trade name: Radel (Solvay/Syensqo), Ultrason P (BASF). Used for reusable medical instrument trays, surgical instrument handles, dental tools, aircraft interior panels, and hot-water plumbing fittings.

Polysulfone — transparent, high-temperature amorphous thermoplastic. Tg 187°C, continuous use to 160°C. Excellent hydrolysis resistance (autoclavable/sterilizable). Good dimensional stability and creep resistance. Positioned between PC (cheaper, lower temp) and PEI (more expensive, higher temp). Trade name: Udel (Solvay). Used for medical devices (sterilizable), hot water plumbing, food processing, membranes (water purification), and aircraft interior panels.

Polytetrafluoroethylene — the most chemically resistant polymer. Lowest friction coefficient of any solid material (~0.05-0.10). Service range -240°C to +260°C continuous. Cannot be melt-processed — must be sintered from powder (like ceramics). Very low mechanical strength. Trade name Teflon (Chemours/DuPont). Used for seals, gaskets, bearings, non-stick coatings, chemical reactor linings, electrical insulation, and lab equipment.

Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride — PVC with additional post-chlorination (chlorine content raised from 57% in PVC-U to 63-69% in CPVC). This significantly raises the Vicat softening temperature and glass transition, extending the service temperature from ~60°C (PVC-U) to 95-100°C. Retains excellent chemical resistance, flame retardancy (LOI 50-60%), and good mechanical properties. Primary applications: hot water plumbing, industrial chemical piping, fire sprinkler systems, power plant cooling systems, semiconductor wet benches. Major brands: Corzan (Lubrizol), TempRite (Lubrizol), BlazeMaster (sprinklers).

Flexible (plasticized) PVC — PVC compounded with 20–50% plasticizer (typically DEHP, DINP or DOTP) to achieve rubber-like flexibility. Very different properties from rigid PVC-U. Excellent electrical insulation, chemical resistance, flame retardancy (self-extinguishing) and weatherability. Trade names: Vestolit P (Orbia), Geon (Polyone). Used for cable insulation and sheathing, medical tubing, automotive interior trim, inflatable products, floor coverings, hoses and sealing profiles. Continuous use -30°C to +70°C.

Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride — the second-most produced plastic globally. Hard, rigid, self-extinguishing (LOI 45%), excellent chemical resistance to acids/bases/salts, and very low cost. Key limitation: max service temp only 60°C. Developed in 1930s Germany. Used for water/sewage pipes, window profiles, electrical conduit, cladding, and chemical tanks/fittings. NOT the flexible PVC used in cables — that is PVC-P (plasticized).

Polyvinylidene Fluoride — the melt-processable fluoropolymer. Bridges the gap between PTFE (non-melt-processable) and conventional plastics. Excellent chemical resistance to acids, solvents, and hydrocarbons. Uniquely piezoelectric among polymers. Much stronger than PTFE (UTS 50 vs 25 MPa). Trade names include Kynar (Arkema), Solef/Hylar (Solvay), KF (Kureha). Used for chemical piping/valves/tanks, lithium-ion battery binder, semiconductor wet bench, architectural coatings (Kynar 500), and piezoelectric sensors.

The cheapest and lowest-grade structural steel in EN 10025-1. Only tensile strength is guaranteed (290-510 MPa), no guaranteed yield strength, composition, or impact toughness. Used for non-critical structural applications, fences, lightweight frameworks, and temporary structures where only minimum strength is needed.

Basic structural steel with guaranteed Charpy impact at 0°C (KV >=27J). Better low-temperature toughness than S235JR (which only guarantees 27J at +20°C). Same strength class (ReH >=235 MPa). Used for general structural applications in moderate climates: building frames, bridges, storage tanks, and platforms. Very widely available and cost-effective.

Entry-level structural weathering steel with minimum yield strength 235 MPa and impact testing at 0°C. The most economical weathering steel grade. Forms a protective patina eliminating painting costs. Used for general outdoor structural work, fencing, landscaping features, garden walls, and non-critical architectural applications where atmospheric corrosion resistance is desired.

Basic structural steel with guaranteed -20°C impact toughness. The toughest variant in the S235 family (J2 = 27J at -20°C). Used for welded structures in moderately cold environments, general structural fabrication, and applications where S235JR's 20°C impact is insufficient.

Entry-level structural weathering steel with minimum yield strength 235 MPa and impact testing at -20°C (J2 designation). Improved low-temperature toughness compared to S235J0W. Used for outdoor structural applications in colder climates where basic strength with atmospheric corrosion resistance is sufficient.

General-purpose structural steel with minimum yield strength of 235 MPa. The most common structural steel grade in Europe for general construction, frames, and non-critical structural applications.

Normalized condition variant of S235JR — the most common European structural steel in normalized (+N) delivery condition. Normalization at ~920°C provides refined grain structure, improved impact toughness (27J at 20°C), and more uniform mechanical properties through the cross-section compared to as-rolled material. Required by EN 1090 for structural steelwork execution class EXC3/EXC4. Same composition as S235JR but guaranteed normalized delivery. Used for bridges, buildings, crane structures, and safety-critical fabrications requiring reliable toughness.

Structural steel with guaranteed Charpy impact at 0°C (KV >=27J). Between S235J0 and S355J0 in the strength range. ReH >=275 MPa. Very widely used in European construction: building frames, columns, beams, and general structural applications. Good weldability. Often specified as standard section material (IPE, HEA, UPN profiles).

Structural steel with 275 MPa yield and guaranteed -20°C impact toughness. Mid-range in the EN 10025-2 structural series. Used for general welded structures, cranes, conveyor frames, and building steelwork in moderate cold-climate environments.

Medium-strength structural steel with minimum yield strength of 275 MPa. Bridges the gap between S235JR and S355JR. Used for general structural applications, lattice towers, masts, and light crane components. Impact tested at +20°C (JR).

Thermomechanically rolled weldable fine-grained structural steel with minimum yield strength 275 MPa. M designation indicates TMCP (thermo-mechanical control process) delivery condition. Offers superior weldability compared to normalized grades due to lower carbon equivalent. No post-weld heat treatment needed for most applications. Used for bridges, offshore platforms, structural hollow sections, and general construction.

Thermomechanically rolled weldable fine-grained structural steel with minimum yield strength 275 MPa and guaranteed impact toughness at -50°C (ML designation). Low-temperature variant of S275M with same excellent weldability and low carbon equivalent. Used for offshore structures, cold climate construction, and structural hollow sections requiring sub-zero toughness guarantees.

Normalized fine-grain structural steel with 275 MPa yield. The lowest strength grade in the EN 10025-3 normalized series. Better weldability and guaranteed fine-grain structure compared to standard S275JR. Used for welded structures, bridges, and general steelwork where normalized delivery is specified.

Normalized fine-grain structural steel with guaranteed -50°C impact toughness. Lower strength than S355NL but better weldability and ductility. Used for cryogenic-adjacent structures, LNG infrastructure, cold-climate bridges, and storage tanks where low-temperature toughness is critical.

Entry-level HSLA hot-rolled steel for cold forming. The lowest strength grade in the EN 10149-2 TMCP series. Good formability with guaranteed 315 MPa yield. Used for lighter-duty truck components, agricultural equipment, structural profiles, and cold-formed sections where S235/S275 is insufficient.