Material guide
Find the right plastic for the job
Plastic is not one material, it is hundreds. This guide runs through the materials we at PlastShop offer, what they are good at and where they run out. Are you looking for a material for a plain bearing that has to handle moisture, a transparent sheet that takes impact or something that handles chemicals without swelling? Start here.
Every group has its own page with properties, common applications and the formats we can supply. Grades such as PA6 C, POM C or PMMA E are on the page for each material, where we explain the difference. If you already know what you want, go straight to the range and filter on format and dimensions. If you are unsure, read on or get in touch. We answer material questions without selling you the most expensive option.
Engineering plastic
The volume materials for everyday engineering. The plastics that solve most mechanical and chemical problems in workshop industry, at a price that holds up.
PA, polyamide
Often called nylon. Strong and impact resistant with good abrasion resistance, a classic choice for plain bearings, gears and mechanical parts. PA6 is the most common grade, PA6 C the cast one for heavier dimensions.
Read about PAPE, polyethylene
Tough, with good glide and resistant to most chemicals, cheap enough for large parts. PE-HD is the workhorse, PE-500 and PE-1000 take the abrasion resistance higher.
Read about PEPE Ultra, the next step up from PE-1000
Twice the molecular weight of PE-1000, for the parts that wear the hardest.
Read about PE UltraPE Bulk, PE Ultra with targeted additives
Bead, MoS² or UV, depending on what is wearing.
Read about PE BulkPET, polyester
It brings the PET bottle to mind, and that is not wrong. This is polyester, but for industrial use. Stiff and dimensionally stable with good abrasion resistance, common in mechanical parts and machine components.
Read about PETPOM, polyoxymethylene
Also called acetal. Hard, dimensionally stable and easy to machine with good glide, for precision parts, plain bearings and gears. Available as POM C (copolymer) and POM H (homopolymer).
Read about POMPP, polypropylene
Light and chemically resistant, common in tanks, ventilation and welded structures in chemical environments. The flame retardant grade PPs belongs here, not to be confused with PPS.
Read about PPPVC, polyvinyl chloride
Chemically resistant and good value, for lab and environmental engineering, ventilation and tank building.
Read about PVCHigh-Performance
Premium. Extreme temperature, aggressive chemistry or demands that ordinary engineering plastic cannot meet. These are the materials for the toughest environments.
PAI, polyamide-imide
High mechanical strength at high temperature, for demanding bearings and wear parts.
Read about PAIPBT, polybutylene terephthalate
Dimensionally stable polyester with good electrical insulation, for electrical and mechanical components.
Read about PBTPCT, high-temperature polyester
Heat resistant polyester for components that meet high temperature.
Read about PCTPEEK, polyether ether ketone
Handles continuous heat and most chemicals, with high mechanical strength. Premium, for bearings, gaskets and parts where other plastics give up.
Read about PEEKPEI, polyetherimide
High mechanical strength and flame resistance, keeps its properties when hot. Parts in electrical, aerospace and demanding environments. Also available as filament.
Read about PEIPEKEKK, high-temperature plastic in the PAEK family
For the most demanding thermal environments.
Read about PEKEKKPFA, perfluoroalkoxy
A fluoropolymer related to PTFE, melt processable and easier to form. Chemically inert, for linings, hose and parts in clean and aggressive environments.
Read about PFAPI, polyimide
One of the most heat resistant plastics, for extreme temperatures and electrical insulation where other materials melt.
Read about PIPK, polyketone
Tough and abrasion resistant with good chemical resistance, for mechanical wear parts.
Read about PKPPE, polyphenylene ether
Modified, dimensionally stable with good electrical insulation, for electrical and structural parts.
Read about PPEPPS, polyphenylene sulfide
Chemically resistant and dimensionally stable at high temperature, for pump parts and components in hot and aggressive environments. Not to be confused with PPs, the flame retardant polypropylene.
Read about PPSPPSU, polyphenylsulfone
High impact resistance and handles steam and sterilization, for medical technology and parts that have to be cleaned hard. Also available as filament.
Read about PPSUPSU, polysulfone
Handles repeated sterilization and high temperatures, common in medical technology and labs.
Read about PSUPTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene
Frictionless and almost completely chemically inert, handles high temperatures. Gaskets, sliding surfaces and seals in aggressive environments.
Read about PTFEPVDF, polyvinylidene fluoride
A fluoropolymer with high chemical resistance that handles strong acids among other media. Tubes, tank linings and parts in the chemical process industry.
Read about PVDFECTFE, ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene
A fluoropolymer with good chemical resistance and impact resistance, for corrosion protection and parts in process industry.
Read about ECTFEEVA, soft and shock absorbing
Foam and matting where things need to be soft and quiet.
Read about EVAFEP, fluorinated ethylene propylene
A fluoropolymer with high chemical and temperature resistance, often transparent. Linings and parts in chemical environments.
Read about FEPAesthetic and optical plastic
Materials you choose for looks, light and impact resistance in visible parts.
ABS, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Easy to machine and thermoform, impact resistant at room temperature. Prototypes, covers and interior parts.
Read about ABSPC, polycarbonate
Transparent and highly impact resistant, for machine guards, covers and see-through parts that have to take a knock.
Read about PCPETG, polyethylene terephthalate with glycol
Crystal clear and easy to form and machine, impact resistant. Signs, guards and parts where formability and clarity count.
Read about PETGPMMA, polymethyl methacrylate
Acrylic, often called Plexiglas. Crystal clear and weather resistant, for signs, covers, protective glazing and lighting. Available as PMMA C (cast) and PMMA E (extruded).
Read about PMMAPS, polystyrene
Stiff and good value, for signs, displays and lighter structural parts.
Read about PSPUR, polyurethane
PUR is an elastomer, a hard wearing and rubber-like group you find in scrapers, wear linings, wheel treads and damping. It belongs to neither engineering plastic, high-performance nor aesthetics, so it has a place of its own in the guide.
Read about PURFurther reading and tools
Already know what you need?
Go straight to the range and filter on format and dimensions, or send us your measurements and we will come back with a price. If you are unsure about the material choice, we are happy to answer that question first.
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