Most plastics are
thermoplastics.
Most
thermoplastics are
commodity.
JUST print out slides 1 – 30!!!
Engineering Thermoplastics
The most common!!
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polyamides (PA or Nylon)
Polymer Materials

Engineering Resins







ABS
Nylon
Polycarbonate
Acetal
Acrylic
Cellulosics
Ionomer
Polymer Materials

Engineering Resins (cont)



PBT
PET
PPO
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
ABS
EXCELLENT CHEMICAL RESISITANCE!!
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

This is an ethenic engineering plastic

i.e. basic monomer structure as
ethylene – just modifying polystyrene
by:

Adding plasticizer and copolymers of
styrene butadiene and styrene
acrylonitrile to produce a polystyrene
terpolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and
styrene (ABS).
ABS
butadiene
ABS

Major Uses





Appliance Housings
Canoes
Typewriter Keys
Pipes & Pipe Fittings
Telephone Housings
ABS

Why would you want to use it?





Low to Medium Cost
Good Impact Strength
Good Chemical Resistance
High Gloss Surface Finish
Good Flexural Properties
ABS

Processes




Injection Molding
Extrusion
Blow Molding
Thermoforming
ABS

Long Term Service Temperature


Max = 135°
Min = Already below Tg
ABS (UNFILLED)
Property
Specific Gravity
Price
Tensile Strength
Flexural Modulus
IZOD (Notched)
% Water Absorption
% Max Crystallinity
Tg
HDT @ 264
Low
High
1.010 1.060
0.84
0.92 $/lb
6000
psi
300
ksi
3
ft lbs/in
0.3
0
220
°F
210
°F
Nylon
PA - Polyamide
http://www.sdplastics.com/nylon.html
http://www.ides.com/generics/Nylon/Nylon_typical_properties.htm
HIGHEST STRENGTH THERMALPLASTIC!!
Basic Info


Polyamides (nylon) are polymers formed as a condensation product
of an acid and amine. They all contain the characteristic amide
group: CO-NH.
Types





Most Common
 Nylon 6
 Nylon 6/6
Nylon 6/10
Nylon 6/12
Nylon 11
Nylon 12
** suffixes refer to the number of
carbon atoms in each reacting
substances involved in condensation
process. They are used as an
identification factor. Nylons with a
period between the numbers are
homopolymers; nylons with a slash
(/) between numbers are a
cop0lymner (ex. Nylon 6/12 is a
copolymer of nylons 6 and 12)
Nylon
Nylon
6/6
• Crystalline – Yes, very flexible
• Hygroscopic – Yes (O and N)
• Glass Transition = (135 F)
• Flammability – Varies depending on additives, but
will usually self extinguish because of N
Nylon

Major Uses









Structural parts!! (i.e. replacement for cast
aluminum 380 series)
Electrical Connectors
Gears
Bearings
Cables, Ties, Rope
Fishing Line
Automotive Valve Covers/Oil Pans
Sports/Exercise Equipment
Tools
Nylon

Why would you want to use it?
 High Strength – among the highest of all
engineering plastics
 Good candidate for structural parts
 Good Heat Resistance (continuous use up to
260 F, bonded to rubber in molds up to 350 F)
 Good Chemical Resistance
 Excellent Wear Resistance
 Good Fatigue Resistance
Nylon

Processes





Injection Molding
Extrusion
Blow Molding
Rotational Molding
Thermoforming
Nylon 6 (UNFILLED)
Property
Specific Gravity
Price
Tensile Strength
Flexural Modulus
IZOD (Notched)
% Water Absorption
% Max Crystallinity
Tg
HDT @ 264
Low
High
1.120 1.140
1.52
1.56 $/lb
14000
psi
400
ksi
1.5
ft lbs/in
2.7
145
250
°F
°F
Nylon 6/6 = most common
Property
Specific Gravity
Price
Tensile Strength
Flexural Modulus
IZOD (Notched)
% Water Absorption
% Max Crystallinity
Tg
HDT @ 264
Low
High
1.130 1.150
1.56
1.67 $/lb
12000
psi
420
ksi
1
ft lbs/in
2.5
65
55
°F
490
°F
More on Nylon






One of the first “engineering” plastics (30s).
Crystalline thermoplastic
Can have tensile properties comparable to soft
aluminum.
Types 6 and 6/6 are the cheapest and most common
(also worst for moisture absorption)!! These two
grades = 90% of production in US. Also, highest
strength grades.
Biggest disadvantage – tendency to absorb moisture
after prolonged period (up to 10% by weight) which
causes war page.
Nylon 12 – best moisture resistant grade
Su = 35 ksi!!
**Discuss bearing plate project for RuR,
show samples
Polycarbonates (PC)
IMPACT STRENGTH!!
Polycarbonate
• Crystalline – No, too rigid
• Hygroscopic – Yes (O)
• Glass Transition – High (300 F)
• Flammability – No (High number of double carbon
bonds will extinguish –soot)
Polycarbonates (PC)




Polycarbonates are amorphous linear
polyesters with excellent moldability.
Good impact strength, temperature
resistance.
Transparent (aka Plexiglas)
Tensile strength similar to ABS and nylon
except impact strength can be 10X
greater! But……Costs more and susceptible
to environmental stress cracking.
Polycarbonates (PC)

Uses include:

Helmets (football and hard hats), face
shield, power tool housings, cell phones,
automotive dashboards, window cranks,
small gears, etc.
DONE!! Rest is just for reference!!!
Acetal
Polyoxymethylene (Acetal or POM)
• Crystalline – Yes, very flexible
• Hygroscopic – Yes (O)
• Glass Transition – Low (-100 F)
• Flammability – Yes (only C and O bonds)
Acetal

Major Uses






Gears
Bearings
Faucet Components
Fuel Pump Components
Refrigerator Clips
Zippers
Acetal

Why would you want to use it?







Low to Medium Cost
Good Chemical Resistance
High Strength
Excellent Fatigue
Good Creep Resistance
Lubricity
Dimensional Stability at High
Temperature
Acetal

Processes




Injection Molding
Extrusion
Blow Molding
Rotomolding
Acetal

Long Term Service Temperature


Max = 200°
Min = ~ -100
Acetal
Property
Specific Gravity
Price
Tensile Strength
Flexural Modulus
IZOD (Notched)
% Water Absorption
% Max Crystallinity
Tg
HDT @ 264
Low
High
1.420
1.44
1.5 $/lb
10000
psi
430
ksi
1.5
ft lbs/in
0.3
85
-103
°F
260
°F
Acetal

Material Suppliers




DuPont
Hoechst Celanese
BASF
LNP
Acrylic
PMMA
Polymethylmethacrylate (Acrylic)
• Crystalline – No, too rigid (dual methyl groups)
• Hygroscopic – Yes (O)
• Glass Transition – High (220 F)
• Flammability – Yes (only C-H and C=O bonds)
Acrylic

Major Uses

Sheet




Windows
Displays
Signs
Surgical Instruments
Acrylic

Why would you want to use it?






Low Cost
Good Chemical Resistance
Hardness
Good Creep Resistance
Transparency
Best Polymer for Weatherability
Acrylic

Processes




Casting
Injection Molding
Extrusion
Thermoforming
Acrylic

Long Term Service Temperature


Max = 80°
Min = Already below Tg
Acrylic
Property
Specific Gravity
Price
Tensile Strength
Flexural Modulus
IZOD (Notched)
% Water Absorption
% Max Crystallinity
Tg
HDT @ 264
Low
High
1.170 1.200
0.82
0.87 $/lb
8500
psi
350
ksi
0.45
ft lbs/in
0.3
0
220
°F
190
°F
Acrylic

Material Suppliers




AtoHaas
Continental
DuPont
ICI
Cellulosic
Cellulosic

Major Uses







Tool Handles
Safety Glasses
Tooth Brush Handles
Automotive and Furniture Trim
Toys
Tubing
Writing Instruments
Cellulosic

Why would you want to use it?





Low Cost
Medium Chemical Resistance
Hardness
Transparency
Rigid
Cellulosic

Processes



Casting
Injection Molding
Extrusion
Cellulosic

Long Term Service Temperature


Max = 220°
Min = Already below Tg
Cellulosic
Property
Specific Gravity
Price
Tensile Strength
Flexural Modulus
IZOD (Notched)
% Water Absorption
% Max Crystallinity
Tg
HDT @ 264
Low
High
1.220 1.340
1.75
1.78 $/lb
3000
psi
280
ksi
4.4
ft lbs/in
2.3
60
248
°F
135
°F
Cellulosic

Material Suppliers




Albis
Eastman
Kleer
Rotuba
Ionomer
Ionomer

Major Uses



Golf Ball Covers
Automotive Bumper Pads
Film for Food and Drugs
Ionomer

Why would you want to use it?




Good Resilience
Good Flexibility
Abrasion Resistance
Good Chemical Resistance
Ionomer

Processes


Injection Molding
Extrusion
Ionomer

Long Term Service Temperature


Max = 100°
Min = -40
Ionomer
Property
Specific Gravity
Price
Tensile Strength
Flexural Modulus
IZOD (Notched)
% Water Absorption
% Max Crystallinity
Tg
HDT @ 264
Low
High
0.930 0.960
2500
3
7
0.1
93
$/lb
5400 psi
55 ksi
ft lbs/in
0.5
°F
100 °F
Ionomer

Material Suppliers


Amoco
BASF
THERMOSETS:
Polymer Materials

Thermoset






EPOXY
Melamine
Urea
Phenolic
Polyester
Vinyl Ester
EPOXY
EPOXY

Major Uses



Encapsulating Electronic Components
Bobbins for Coil Windings
Adhesives
Epoxy

Why would you want to use it?




High Mechanical Strength
Outstanding Adhesive Properties
Good Resistance to Heat
Good Chemical Resistance
Epoxy

Processes


Compression/Transfer Molding
Injection Molding
Epoxy
Property
Specific Gravity
Price
Tensile Strength
Flexural Modulus
IZOD (Notched)
% Water Absorption
% Max Crystallinity
Tg
HDT @ 264
Low
High
1.720 1.930
1.30
1.42 $/lb
6200
psi
360
ksi
0.22
ft lbs/in
0
480
195
°F
°F
Epoxy

Material Suppliers



Ciba-Geigy
Dow
Shell
Melamine (Amino)
Melamine

Major Uses





Molded Dinnerware
Electric Shaver Housings
Buttons
Ashtrays
Connector Bodies
Melamine

Why would you want to use it?




High Surface Hardness
Good Heat Resistance
Good Flame Resistance
Resists Chipping and Breaking
Melamine

Processes


Compression/Transfer Molding
Injection Molding
Melamine (Alpha Cellulose)
Property
Specific Gravity
Price
Tensile Strength
Flexural Modulus
IZOD (Notched)
% Water Absorption
% Max Crystallinity
Tg
HDT @ 264
Low
High
1.500
0.90
0.94 $/lb
5000 13000 psi
1100
ksi
0.27
0.34 ft lbs/in
0.4
0.8
360
°F
°F
Melamine

Material Suppliers



American Cynamid
BIP
Bud Co.
Urea (Amino)
Urea

Major Uses




Control Housings
Wiring Devices
Control Buttons
Knobs
Urea

Why would you want to use it?




High Surface Hardness
Good Heat Resistance
Good Flame Resistance
Resists Chipping and Breaking
Urea

Processes


Compression/Transfer Molding
Injection Molding
Urea (Alpha Cellulose)
Property
Specific Gravity
Price
Tensile Strength
Flexural Modulus
IZOD (Notched)
% Water Absorption
% Max Crystallinity
Tg
HDT @ 264
Low
High
0.900 1.310
0.67
0.83 $/lb
5500 13000 psi
1300 1600 ksi
0.25
0.4 ft lbs/in
260
°F
290 °F
Urea

Material Suppliers



American Cynamid
BIP
Bud Co.
Phenolic
Phenolic

Major Uses







Electrical Products
Connectors
Cooking ware (recall plate)
Ashtrays
Utensil Handles
Elecrtic Motor Components
Knobs
Phenolic

Why would you want to use it?




Good
Good
Good
Good
Heat Resistance
Flame Resistance
Rigidity
Creep Resistance
Phenolic

Processes


Compression/Transfer Molding
Injection Molding
Phenolic (Wood Floor)
Property
Specific Gravity
Price
Tensile Strength
Flexural Modulus
IZOD (Notched)
% Water Absorption
% Max Crystallinity
Tg
HDT @ 264
Low
High
1.370 1.460
0.74
1.50 $/lb
5000 9000 psi
1000 1200 ksi
0.2
0.6 ft lbs/in
300
°F
370 °F
Phenolic

Material Suppliers



Amoco Electronic
Rogers
Plenco
Vinylester
Vinylester

Major Uses






Pipe
Electrical Equipment
Grating
Exhaust Stacks
Washer Drums
Chemical Tanks
Vinylester

Why would you want to use it?





Good Heat Resistance
Excellent Bonding to Fibers
Good Chemical Resistance
Good Rigidity
Good Creep Resistance
Vinylester

Processes



Hand Lay-Up
Compression/Transfer Molding
Injection Molding
Vinylester (15% Glass Fiber)
Property
Specific Gravity
Price
Tensile Strength
Flexural Modulus
IZOD (Notched)
% Water Absorption
% Max Crystallinity
Tg
HDT @ 264
Low
High
1.850
1.69
1.72 $/lb
6000
psi
18
ksi
8
ft lbs/in
350
°F
°F
Vinylester

Material Suppliers



Premix
Glastic
Reichold