Expertise In Plastics For Mechanical Prototypes & Mass-Manufacturing

Plastic	Chemical Formula	Petroleum Based	Shrink Rate	Thermoplastic or Thermoset	Melting Point	Glass Transition	Mold Temperature	Mold Pressure	Tensile Strength	Flexural Strength	Unique Characteristics
ABS Plastic	(C₈H₈)x· (C₄H₆)y·(C₃H₃N)z	Yes	0.5-0.7% (.005-.007 in/in)	Thermoplastic	204-238°C (400-460°F)	105°C (221°F)	63-85°C (145-185°F)	69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI)	46 MPa (6,600 PSI)	74 MPa (10,800 PSI)	Readily available, cheap, durable
Acetal (POM)	(CH₂O)n	Yes	2.1-2.9% (.021-.029 in/in)	Thermoplastic	182-218°C (360-425°F)		79-107°C (175-225°F)	69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI)	63 MPa (9,100 PSI)	90 MPa (13,000 PSI)	Low friction surface, high impact resistance
Acrylic (PMMA)	(C₅H₈O₂)n	Yes	0.2-1% (0.002-0.01 in/in)	Thermoplastic	130°C (266°F)		79-107°C (175-225°F)	69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI)	65 MPa (9400 PSI)	90 MPa (13000 PSI)	Low friction surface, high impact resistance
Polycarbonate (PC)	C₁₅H₁₆O₂	Yes	0.6-0.9% (.006-.009 in/in)	Thermoplastic	288-316°C (550-600°F)		82-121°C (180-250°F)	69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI)	59 MPa (8,500 PSI)	93 MPa (13,500 PSI)	Extremely high impact resistance, Translucent
Polyethylene (PE)	(C₂H₄)n	Yes	LDPE: 2.4-3.1% (.024-.031 in/in) HDPE: 1.7-2.9% (0.017-0.029 in/in)	Thermoplastic	LDPE: 110°C (230°F) HDPE: 130°C (266°F)		21-66°C (70-150°F)	69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI)	LDPE: 7 MPa (1,000 PSI) HDPE: 20 MPa (2,900 PSI)	LDPE: 6 MPa (800 PSI) HDPE: 21 MPa (3,000 PSI)	Diverse applications across a range of different types (LDPE, HDPE, UHMW etc)
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)	(C₁₀H₈O₄)n	Yes	0.1-0.3% (0.001-0.003 in/in)	Thermoplastic	500°C (260°F)		74-91°C (165-195°F)	69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI)	152MPa (22000 PSI) *w/ 30% glass fiber	221MPa (32000 PSI)	"polyester" fabric, safe for consumables packaging, and shatterproof
Polylactic Acid (PLA)	(C3H4O2)n	No - Biomass (typically derived from Sugarcane or Corn Starch)	PLLA: 0.37-0.41% (0.0037-0.0041 in/in)	Thermoplastic	PLLA: 157-170°C (315-338 °F)		PLLA: 178-240°C (353-464°F)		PLLA: 61-66 MPa (8,840-9,500 PSI)	PLLA: 48-110 MPa (6,950-16,000 PSI)	Biodegradeable (typically decomposes in 6-24 months)
Polypropylene (PP)	(C₃H₆)_n	Yes	1.5-2% (.015-.020 in/in)	Thermoplastic	191-232°C (375-450°F)		82-121°C (32-66°F)	69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI)	32 MPa (4,700 PSI)	41 MPa (6,000 PSI)	Extremely flexible and ductile (#1 choice for living hinges)
Polystyrene (PS)	(C₈H₈)n	Yes	0.3-0.7% (.003-.007 in/in)	Both (Depends on Type)	210-249°C (410-480°F)		38-66°C (100-150°F)	69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI)	53 MPa (7,700 PSI)	83 MPa (12,000 PSI)	Unique application as a foam ("styrofoam")
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)	(C₂H₃Cl)n	Yes		Thermoplastic	100-260°C (212-500°F)				Flexible: 6.9-25 MPa (1,000-3625 PSI) Rigid: 34-62 MPa (4930-9000 PSI)		cheap, very hard and impact resistant