Acryionitrile Butadiene- Styrene  (ABS)

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a polymer consisting of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene.  It is a light-weight, strong, rigid, resilient thermoplastic material. ABS combines the resilience of polybutadiene with the hardness and rigidity of polyacrylonitrile and polystyrene. It has high impact and high mechanical strength, superb electrical properties, and abrasion and moisture resistant. In addition, ABS exhibits high chemical resistance to many acids, alkalis, oils, and salts.

While butadiene makes the product tougher and more resistant even under low temperatures, styrene monomer provides better machinability to ABS. Acrylonitrile provides hardness as well as thermal and chemical resistance. Air resistance of ABS is weak therefore it is recommended for indoor applications only.

Electrical isolation characteristics of ABS are quite well and might be used for isolation purposes in some applications.

ABS materials must be dried at 70–80°C about 2 hours before the application since they are hygroscopic (desiccant).

Main characteristics of ABS are as follows:

• Easy to process
• Impact resistance
• Cost advantage
• Some of the  ABS applications:
• Tubing
• Machine guards and guides
• Automotive components
• POP components
• Office equipment
• Appliance components

Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS)

PC/ABS (Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a blend of PC and ABS providing unique combination of the high processability of ABS with the excellent mechanical properties, impact and heat resistance of PC.

The PC/ABS property balance is controlled by the ratio of PC and ABS in the blend, the polycarbonate molecular weight and the additive package. The ratio of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene affects mainly the heat resistance of the final product. PC/ABS blends exhibit a synergic effect resulting in excellent impact resistance at low temperatures that is better than impact resistance of ABS or PC.

Main characteristics of PC/ABS are as follows:

• High impact strength even at low temperatures
• High stiffness
• Low overall shrinkage and high dimensional accuracy
• Heat resistance
• Easy processing
• Colourable & printable

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETG)

Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) is a water clear material and designed to be very ‘easy to use’ in a range of applications. It’s a thermoplastic polymer created through the copolymerisation of PET and ethylene glycol.  PETG has the same chemical combination with PET with the addition of glycol. Chemical compound is completely changed with such addition by creating a completely new plastic.

Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol fabricates well throughout a number of different processes including extruding, cutting, drilling, bending and polishing. It’s also possible to silk screen PETG using various inks. It also bonds well with solvents or adhesives.  Its density is 1.27g/cm3 and its maximum service temperature is about 78˚C meaning that it shouldn’t be continuously exposed to temperatures above 65/70˚C. PET is usually more fire resistant then PETG.

Characteristics:

• Excellent transparency
• High impact resistance
• High chemical resistance
• Lighter structure as compared to glass
• Easy elimination of scratches on the surface by flaming
• Easier machinability than acrylic and PC
• UV resistant

Some of the  PETG applications:

• Point of Sales displays
• Tubing
• Housings
• Edge protectors
• Corner guards

TPE-TPU-TPV

Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)

Thermoplastic elastomers are copolymers that consist of materials with thermoplastic and elastomeric properties.

Thermoplastic Elastomers are generally low modulus, flexible materials that can be stretched repeatedly to at least twice their original length at room temperature with an ability to return to their approximate original length when stress is released. The grandfather materials with this property are thermoset rubbers, but thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are replacing traditional rubbers. In addition to use in their basic form, TPEs are widely used to modify the properties of rigid thermoplastics, usually improving impact strength. This is quite common for sheet goods and general molding TPEs.

Characteristics:

• Low density
• Broad hardness range
• High resistance to UV and ozone
• Functionality within a broad temperature range
• Recyclability

Some of the  TPE applications:

• Tubing
• Weather stripping and seals
• Automotive components
• Trim
• Equipment guides and guards
• Hinges

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)

TPU is a versatile elastomer with unique characteristics that provide superior performance and processing flexibility.

The key to versatility of TPU is the ability to customize its harness at a high rate. TPU can be as soft as rubber or as hard as hard plastics. In addition to this adaptation, TPU may also have a series of valuable physical characteristics including wear resistance, optical clarity and robustness.

Characteristics:

• High elasticity
• High tensile and tear strength
• Lubricant and grease resistance
• High flexibility under low temperatures
• Cost effective
• Recyclability
• Adhesion to polar surfaces

Some of the  TPU applications:

• Automotive and vehicle side molding and supports
• Seals
• Belting
• Gaskets
• Tubing
• Drive belts

Thermoplastic Vulcanisate TPV (or TPE-V)

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) are thermoplastic elastomers that combine the characteristics of vulcanized rubber with the processing properties of thermoplastics. It exhibits many of the properties found in EDPM, and is compounded by encapsulating EDPM rubber particles in a polypropylene (PP) matrix. Specific properties of TPV include good compression and tension properties, chemical resistance, resistance to temperature extremes, dimensional stability, and durable performance.

Characteristics:

• Low moisture sensitivity
• Short cycle time
• Clean-white natural color
• Easy to color
• Soft and silky surface
• Resistance to climatization tests
• Low odor level for automotive internal applications
• Lubricant resistance

NORYL (Modified Polyphenylene Oxide)

Noryl® modified PPO is a PPO and styrene alloy that has extraordinary mechanical, thermal and electrical characteristics. Low moisture absorption and low thermal expansion make Noryl® one of the most stabile thermoplastics dimensionally. Considering its excellent isolation characteristics and flame resistance within a broad service temperature range, Noryl® is commonly used for electric casings and structural compounds. Noryl® is light and has superior impact strength. Noryl® is easy to manufacture, dye and glue, and is one of the few non-metallic materials that can be easily electrolyzed. Noryl® is not resistant to petrol products. For improved mechanical and thermal performance, up to 30% glass fiber can be added to standard Noryl®. Standard Noryl® is black whereas reinforced Noryl® is grey.

Characteristics:

• Low moisture absorption
• Long term dimensional stability
• Good hydrolytic stability
• Lightness