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Polyester Plastics

The unsaturated polyesters are extremely versatile in terms of the forms in which they are used.
Polyester resins can be formulated to be brittle and hard, tough and resilient, or soft and flexible. In
combination with reinforcements such as glass fibers, they offer outstanding strength, a high
strength-to-weight ratio, chemical resistance, and other excellent mechanical properties. The two
dominate materials in this plastics family are polyethylene terphthalate (PET) and polybutylene
terephthalate (PBT). The thermoplastic polyesters are similar in properties to types 6 and 6/6 nylons,
but have lower water absorption and higher dimensional stability than the nylons.

PET - Polyethylene terephthalate is a water-white polymer and is made into fibers, films and sheets,
and blow-molding and thermoformed containers for soft drinks and foods. Glass reinforced PET
compounds can be injection-molded into parts for automotive, electrical/electronic, and other
industrial and consumer products.

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Polyketone Plastics

These plastic materials are crystalline polymers of aromatic ketones that exhibit exceptional
high-temperature performance.

PEEK - Polyetheretherketone is tough and rigid, with a continuous-use temperature rating of 475
degree F. The polymer is self-extinguishing and exhibits very low smoke emission on burning. Its
crystallinity gives it resistance to most solvents and hydrolytic stability. PEEK is also resistant to
radiation.

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Polysulfone (PSO) Plastics

Polysulfone is a transparent, amorphous thermoplastic that is stable, heat-resistant, and
self-extinguishing, and can be molded, extruded, and thermoformed into a wide variety of shapes.
Drying is required before processing. Polysulfone is rigid, with a flex modulus of almost 400,000 psi,
and strong, with a tensile strength of 10,200 psi at yield. Its electrical properties are good; it has a
high dielectric strength and a low dissipation factor. Mineral-filled and glass-reinforced grades of
polysulfone are offered where additional strength is required.

PSO is used in medical instruments and in sterilizing equipment. Its high-temperature capabilities
and transparency are useful in the food industry, where it is used for processing equipment coffee
carafes, beverage dispensers, and piping. It is also used to mold microwave oven cookware. In the
electronics field, PSO goes into circuit boards, capacitor films, switches and connectors.

Polypropylene (PP) Plastics

The polyolefin has turned out to be the most versatile of the plastic family, accounting for the
continuing rapid increase in its use. Polypropylenes have better resistance to heat and resist more
chemicals than do other thermoplastic plastics of the came cost. Also, polyproylenes have negligible
water absorption and excellent electrical properties, and they are easy to process. Like other
polyolefins, polypropylene plastics have excellent resistance to water and to water solutions, such as
salt and acid solutions that are destructive to metals. They are also resistant to organic solvents and
alkalis.

Applications: The greatest commercial uses for homopolymer PP are in fibers and filaments. PP
plastic is also made into unoriented and oriented films for packaging and is injection-molded into
caps and closures, appliance components, and auto parts.

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Polyphenylene (PPE) Plastics

Also referred to as polyphenylene oxide (PPO), these plastic resins are combined with other
polymers to make useful alloys. PPE is compatible with polystyrene and is blended with (usually
high-impact) PS over a wide range of ratios. Because both PPE and PS plastics are hydrophobic, the
alloys have very low water absorption rates and high dimensional stability. They exhibit excellent
dielectric properties over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures. PPE / PS alloys are supplied
in flame-retardant, filled and reinforced, and structural foam molding grades. PPE can also be alloyed
with nylon plastic to provide increased resistance to organic chemicals and better high-temperature
performance. PPE / nylon plastic blends have been used in injection-mold automobile fenders.

Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Plastics

This resin is characterized by excellent high-temperature performance, inherent flame retardance,
and good chemical resistance. The crystalline structural of PPS plastic is best developed at high
mold temperatures. Most PPS plastic is sold in the form of filled and reinforced compounds for
injection molding. Because of its heat and flame resistance, the plastic has been used to replace
thermoset phenolics in electrical/electronics applications. PPS will withstand contact with metals at
temperatures up to 500 degrees F, and in the electrical / electronics market, its biggest use is in
molding connectors and sockets.

Applications: Molded surface-mounted components, circuit boards, industrial pump housing, valves,
and downhold parts for the drilling industry, as well as appliance parts that must withstand high
temperatures such as heaters, dryers, microwave ovens, and irons.

Polystyrene (PS) Plastics

General purpose polystyrene is the low-cost member of the plastics family. Properties of the
amorphous polymer include hardness, rigidity, optical clarity, dimensional stability, and excellent
processibility.

HIPS - High-impact polystyrene, is generally recognized as the best styrenic material for load bearing
applications. Typical applications include food packaging (cups, lids, take-out containers), house
wares, office products, and video and audio cassettes. Ignition-resistant plastic grades are used in
radio and TV housings.

EPS - Expanded PolyStyrene, a rigid formed thermoplastic, suitable for shock absorbing packaging
as well as for insulation in building construction, based on its excellent shock resistance and thermal
insulation properties. Expandable polystyrene plsatic is supplied in the form of small beads
containing a chemical blowing agent. The beads are pre-expanded with steam to establish the
density of the finished product.

SAN - Acrylonitrile are copolymers that are transparent, amorphous materials with higher heat and
chemical resistance than crystal polystyrene plastic. SAN is injection molded into such products as
dishwasher-safe housewares, refrigerator shelves, medical devices, oven caps, connectors for PVC
tubing, and lenses.

SB - Styrene-Butadiene are block plastic copolymers that combine transparency and high impact
strength. Packaging is a major market in items such as cups, lids, trays, and clamshells for the
fast-food industry.

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