Below is a list of the most common plastics used in injection molding and the attributes of each.
Acetal (POM): ridged, chemical resistant, strong, fatigue resistant, moisture resistant
Acrylic (PMMA): ridged, scratch resistant, brittle, transparent
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS): flexible, strong, chemical resistant, opaque, electroplating capability
Cellulose Acetate (CA): transparent, tough
Polyamide 6 (Nylon) (PA6): fatigue resistant, low friction, chemical resistant, strong
Polyamide 6/6 (Nylon) (PA6/6): fatigue resistant, strong, low friction, chemical resistance
Polyamide 11+12 (Nylon) (PA11+12): low friction, strong, fatigue resistance, chemical resistant
Polycarbonate (PC): transparent, dimensional stability, tough, temperature resistance
Polyester (PBT,PET): chemical resistant, heat tolerant, ridged,
Polyether Sulphone (PES): clear, tough, extremely chemical resistant
Polyetheretherketone (PEEKEEK): chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, low moisture absorption, strong, thermal stability
Polyetherimide (PEI): heat tolerant, flame resistance, transparent
Polyethylene (Low Density) (LDPE): tough, flexible, lightweight, chemical resistant, waxy appearance
Polyethylene (High Density) (HDPE): stiff, tough, chemical resistance, waxy appearance
Polyphenylene Oxide (PPO): heat tolerant, flame resistant, low water absorption, dimensional stability, tough, electroplating capability
Polyphenylene Sulphide (PPS): Heat tolerant, very strong, brown
Polypropylene (PP): scratch resistant, waxy appearance, stiff, tough, lightweight, chemical resistance, heat tolerant
Polystyrene (General Purpose) (GPPS): brittle, transparent
Polystyrene (High Impact) (HIPS): tough, dimensional stability, translucent, impact strength, ridged
Polyvinyl Chloride (Plasticised) (PVC): transparent or opaque, flexible, tough, flame resistant
Polyvinyl Chloride (Rigid) (UPVC): flame resistant, tough, flexible, transparent or opaque
Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN): transparent, brittle, stiff, heat tolerant, chemical resistance, hydrolytically stable
Thermoplastic Elastomer/Rubber (TPE/R): flexible, tough
