ENGINEERING PLASTICS SELECTION GUIDE

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Temperature

Engineering plastics with a continuous maximum operating temperature of 115 degrees celsius or more, are plastics deemed to have high operating temperatures.

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Chemical Resistant

Plastic’s chemical resistivity is ranked on a scale from 1 to 10, where a material with chemical resistance 6 or above is considered proficient.
For more information, contact us.

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Wear Resistant

Wear resistance is the ability of a plastic to resist the progressive volume from its surface. Plastics rated wear resistance 6 or above on a scale of 10, is deemed to be wear resistant.

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Low Friction

Generally plastics have low coefficient of friction, making them ideal for applications where friction is a consideration. Materials with a coefficient of less than 0.1 is considered to have low friction trait.

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Water Resistant

Water absorption is a material’s capacity to absorb moisture from its environment. A plastic with low water absorption, less than 1% is considered to be adept with water resistance.

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High Dielectric Strength

Engineering plastics can be excellent electrical insulators with thier ability to maintain mechanical properties in high voltage environments. A dielectric strength of 45 KV/mm or greater is adept.

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Easy to Machine 

Some engineering plastic materials are significantly easier to machine than others. Each plastic is ranked on a scale of 1 to 10 where a machinability of 8 or greater is considered to be easily machinable.

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Impact Resistant

Plastics are impact resistant if its able to withstand significant force without structural damage. Each material has a notched strength value, 40 or above to “no break” is considered high impact resistant.

Plastics Selection Guide – Mechanical Properties Comparison

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Coefficient of Friction

A plastic materials coefficient of friction is its resistance when sliding over another material. Coefficient of friction is the ratio of resistive frictional force divided by the perpendicular force of the two objects pushing together. In the case of most engineering plastics, the friction is between steel, plastic or rubber. Each material is ranked based on their coefficient of friction.

MaterialCoefficient of Friction (μ)
Teflon (PTFE)0.09
UHMWPE0.1
Nylon (PA) : T-Glide Wax0.1
UHMWPE: 9000 GLB0.15
Nylon (PA) : Natural, Moly, Aquanyl, Impact Resistant, Blue & NGO0.19
Polyester (PET): Natural & ZX0.25
HDPE0.32
Acetal (POM)0.35
PEEK0.38
Polyester (PET): SW2.5

Please note: other properties may affect the performance of engineering plastics in high stress environments.

Wear Resistance

Wear resistance is the ability of a plastic to resist the progressive volume from its surface through actions such as scraping, scratching, rubbing or sliding. This is entirely dependent on the type of contact, environmental conditions and the load applied. To form the below index, abrasion, pin on disk and block on ring tests were taken into account. 

 

MaterialWear Resistance (Out of 10)
PEEK10
Polyester (PET)10
Nylon (PA)9
Acetal (POM)7
UHMWPE6
HDPE5
Teflon (PTFE)4
Polycarbonate (PC)1

Please note: other properties may affect the performance of engineering plastics in high stress environments.

Impact Resistance

A materials impact resistance is measured through a notched impact test. Plastics are considered impact resistant if it is able to withstand high levels of force without breaking, fracturing or deforming. A truly tough material is resist this force, able to be ductile and stretch under pressure. Choosing materials with a higher impact resistance can have a significant impact on the life of componentry. Each material is ranked based on a notched impact strength (Charpy) test.

MaterialNotched Impact Strength Charpy (KJ/mm^2)
PEEKNO BREAK
UHMWPENO BREAK
HDPE: HD100 BlackNO BREAK
UHMWPE: 9000 GLB130
Polycarbonate (PC)40
Polypropylene (PP)30
Teflon (PTFE)18
HDPE12
Polyester (PET): ZX10
Acetal (POM)6
Polyester (PET): Natural5
Polyester (PET): SW2.8

Please note: other properties may affect the performance of engineering plastics in high stress environments.

Operating Temperature

The operating temperature of engineering plastics is often separated into two categories: short time (hours) or continuous use (10,000 hours +). Materials are deemed to have reached their maximum operating temperature if there is a significant and consistent decrease in its mechanical properties.

 

MaterialContinuous Operating Temperature (°C)
PEEK260
Teflon (PTFE)250
Polycarbonate (PC)115
Nylon (PA): HR + UV Stabilised115
Polyester (PET): Natural & ZX115
Nylon (PA): Natural, Impact Resistance, T-Glide, Aquanyl & NGO110
Nylon (PA): Moly + MOS2105
Acetal (POM)100
Polyester (PET): SW Black100
Polypropylene (PP)100
UHMWPE80
HDPE80

Please note: other properties may affect the performance of engineering plastics in high stress environments.

Material Density

A materials density is calculated by the division of the mass of the material by its volume. The ratio of material density and water density is specific gravity. If the specific gravity is less than 1, the polymer will float when submerged in water. Each material is ranked on their material density (g/cm^3).

 

MaterialMaterial Density (g/cm^3)
Teflon (PTFE)2.18
Acetal (POM)1.39
Polyester (PET): Natural1.38
Polyester (PET): SW Black1.36
PEEK1.3
Polyester (PET): ZX1.27
Polycarbonate (PC)1.2
Nylon (PA): Moly MOS21.15
Nylon (PA): Natural & T-Glide + Wax1.141
Nylon (PA): Aquanyl CP6121.14
Nylon (PA): NGO + Oil1.138
Nylon (PA): HR Blue + UV Stabliser1.135
Nylon (PA): Impact Resistant + Plasticiser1.11
Polypropylene (PP)1.03
HDPE0.955
UHMWPE0.93

Please note: other properties may affect the performance of engineering plastics in high stress environments.

UV Resistance

When selecting the correct engineering plastic material for your application, it is important to consider whether the plastic is UV resistant. Symptoms of plastics effected by UV include: yellowing, leeching, bleaching, stress cracks / brittleness and diminishing strength. Choosing a inherently UV resistant plastic minimises the aforementioned symptoms. Standard plastic may be made UV stable with the addition of additives and stabilisers. 

 

MaterialUV Resistance (Y / N)
Acetal (POM): BlackY
HDPE: Black, HD100 BlackY
UHMWPE: Black, Blue, 9000 GLBY
Polycarbonate (PC)Y
Teflon (PTFE)Y
Polyester (PET): SW BlackY
Nylon (PA): HR Blue + UV StabliserY
PEEKY
Acetal (POM): NaturalN
HDPE: NaturalN
UHMWPE: NaturalN
Nylon (PA): Natural, Moly, Impact, T-Glide, Aquanyl & NGON
Polyester (PET): Natural, ZXN
Polypropylene (PP)N

Please note: other properties may affect the performance of engineering plastics in high stress environments.

Chemical Resistance

Although chemical resistance can be simplified, the relationship between corrosive chemicals and plastic materials can be complex with elements such as chemical classification, temperature, wear, time in contact and concentration. For the purposes of a concise resistance matrix, this index will account for the quantity of pure chemicals a material is resistant to in a low stress environment. For more information on specific resistances between plastic materials and acids, contact our sales team. Each material is ranked on a scale of 1 to 10, indexing its suitability in environments requiring high chemical resistance. Each material is ranked on a scale of 1 to 10 – (10 denoting high chemical resistance).

 

MaterialChemical Resistance (1 to 10)
Teflon (PTFE)10
PEEK10
HDPE7
UHMWPE7
Polypropylene (PP)7
Acetal (POM)6
Polyester (PET)5
Nylon (PA)4
Polycarbonate1

Please note: other properties may affect the performance of engineering plastics in high stress environments.

Electrical Properties

Engineering plastics can be excellent electrical insulators. Factors that need to be taken into account when assessing a materials electrical properties include volume resistivity, surface resistivity, dielectric strength and the dissipation factor. Materials with excellent electrical properties maintain their mechanical properties in high voltage environments. Each material is ranked on a scale of 1 to 10, indexing its suitability in environments requiring excellent electrical properties. Each material is ranked based on dielectric strength.

 

MaterialDielectric Strength (KV/mm)
Polyester (PET): Natural & ZX60
Teflon (PTFE)55
UHMWPE45
HDPE45
Polypropylene (PP)45
Acetal (POM)40
HDPE: HD100 Black30
Nylon (PA)25
Polyester (PET): SW Black20
PEEK20

 

Please note: other properties may affect the performance of engineering plastics in high stress environments.

Machinability

Different engineering plastic materials have different ease of machinability. This is mainly caused by low thermal conductivity, low melting points, resist chipping and offer dimensional stability. Important factors in engineering plastic machining:

  • Coolants –  A soluble oil and water solution assists in the prevention of burning material.
  • Tooling – Sharp cutting edges ensure clean cuts limiting unnecessary friction.
  • RPM and Machining Forces – Plastics are required to be machined at lower RPMS and with less clamp force to minimise burning and preventing material deformation.

Each material is ranked on a scale of 1 to 10 – (10 denoting excellent machinability).

MaterialMachinability (Out of 10)
Acetal (POM)10
Polyester (PET)9
PEEK9
Teflon (PTFE)8
UHMWPE7
HDPE7
Nylon (PA) & Polypropylene6

Please note: other properties may affect the performance of engineering plastics in high stress environments.

Water Absorption

A engineering plastics absorption is its capacity to absorb moisture from its environment. Absorbed moisture acts as a plasticizer, thus reducing the glass transition temperature and the mechanical properties of the material. Each material is ranked on a scale of 1 to 10 – (10 denoting low water absorption).

 

MaterialWater Absorption (Saturated)
Teflon (PTFE)0.01%
Polypropylene (PP)0.01%
UHMWPE0.02%
HDPE0.02%
Polycarbonate (PC)0.36%
PEEK0.5%
Polyester (PET)0.5%
Acetal (POM)0.65%
Nylon (PA): Aquanyl CP6125%
Nylon (PA): Impact Resistant + Plasticiser5.3%
Nylon (PA): T-Glide + Wax5.9%
Nylon (PA): NGO + Oil6.1%
Nylon (PA): Moly + MOS26.3%
Nylon (PA): Natural & Blue + UV Stabiliser7%

 

Please note: other properties may affect the performance of engineering plastics in high stress environments.

Tynic’s Engineering Plastics.

 

Tynic Automation specialises in Engineering Plastics and their applications.  With a whole variety of benefits, Engineering Plastics can effectively replace traditional metal or ceramic materials in engineering applications. As polymers often contain a wide variety of compositions and additives, it is crucial to select the correct plastic for your application. The key way to ensure the correct engineering plastic is utilised it to compare the key characteristics needed to be successful in a specific application. These characteristics consist of mechanical, thermal and electrical properties.

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TYNALENE HD300

BLACK

TYNALENE HD300

NATURAL

TYNALENE HD100 (PIPE GRADE)

BLACK

TYNALENE PP

NATURAL

TYNALENE 9000

NATURAL

TYNALENE 9000

BLACK

TYNALENE 9000

BLUE

TYNALENE 9000 GLB

GREEN

TYNALENE 9000 LUBE-X

GREY

TYNACARB

UV2

TYNALON

T-GLIDE

TYNALON

AQUANYL

TYNALON

IMPACT

TYNALON

NATURAL

TYNALON

MOLY

TYNALON

HR BLUE

TYNALON

NGO GREEN

TYNACETAL-C

NATURAL

TYNACETAL-C

BLACK

TYNALYTE

NATURAL

TYNALYTE

ZX GREY

TYNALYTE

SW BLACK

TYNATEF

PTFE NATURAL

TYNAPEEK

BEIGE

TYNAPEEK GF30

BEIGE

G-ETRONAX

EP11 EPOXY GLASS FABRIC

TYNAVIN

PVCU

Tynalene HD300 Black 3 Tynic Automation
Tynalene HD300 Natural 2 Tynic Automation
Tynalene HD100 Black 3 Tynic Automation
Tynalene PP Natural 3 Tynic Automation
Tynalene 9000 Natural 1 Tynic Automation
Tynalene 9000 Black 1 Tynic Automation
Tynalene 9000 Blue 1 Tynic Automation
Tynalene 9000 Green 1 Tynic Automation
Tynalene 9000 Grey 2 Tynic Automation
Tynacarb UV2 1 Tynic Automation
Tynalon T glide Tynic Automation
Tynalon Aquanyl Tynic Automation
Tynalon Impact Tynic Automation
Tynalon Natural Tynic Automation
Tynalon Moly Tynic Automation
Tynalon HR Blue Tynic Automation
Tynalon Green Tynic Automation
Tynacetal c Natural Tynic Automation
Tynacetal c Black Tynic Automation
Tynalyte Natural Tynic Automation
Tynalyte ZX Grey Tynic Automation
Tynalyte SW Black Tynic Automation
Tynatef PTFE Natural Tynic Automation
Tynapeek Tynic Automation
Tynapeek GF30 Tynic Automation
G Tynic Automation
Tynavin PVCU Tynic Automation
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