Q&A

Types of engineering plastics

Engineering plastics refer to a special polymer material that is superior to ordinary plastics, with better thermal stability, mechanical strength, flame retardancy and chemical resistance. They are widely used in many industrial fields such as automotive, aerospace, electronic and electrical, etc. Here are some of the most common types of engineering plastics:

Polyamides (PA)

Also known as nylon, it is one of the most common engineering plastics. It has excellent strength, toughness, abrasion resistance and chemical resistance, and is suitable for mechanical parts, cable housings and seals, etc. Common plastics such as PA6, PA66 and PA46 are common.

Polycarbonates (PC)

PC plastics have excellent impact resistance, clarity and dimensional stability. They are commonly used in areas such as optical components, automotive components, and consumer electronics housings.

Polyesters (PET/PBT)

PET and PBT are two common polyester plastics. PET has good chemical stability and electrical properties, and is commonly used in wire sheaths and packaging containers. PBT, on the other hand, has excellent dimensional stability and heat resistance, making it suitable for precision parts and electronic components.

Polyoxymethylene (POM)

Also known as polyacetal, it is an engineering plastic with excellent rigidity and dimensional stability. It has good wear resistance and low coefficient of friction, and is often used in precision mechanical transmission parts and plastic fastening materials.

Other types

In addition to the above, there are also high-performance engineering plastics such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and polyimide (PAI), which are suitable for harsher environmental conditions.

Engineering plastics cover a wide range of material types, each with its own unique performance characteristics. Choosing the right plastic will help in the design and manufacture of the product to meet the specific application needs.

The following are some common engineering plastic materials and their comparison table in Chinese and English.

thermoplastic

• PP (Polypropylene): Polypropylene

• PE (Polyethylene): Polyethylene

• PS (Polystyrene): Polystyrene

• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Polyvinyl chloride

• ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Styrene Copolymer

High-performance engineering plastics

• PC (Polycarbonate): Polycarbonate

• POM (Polyoxymethylene): Polyoxymethylene

• PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate): Polybutylene terephthalate

• PA (Polyamide): Polyamide, nylon

• PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide): Polyphenylene sulfide

• PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone): Polyetheretherketone

These plastic materials are widely used in engineering and product manufacturing, and each material has different physical and chemical properties for different application scenarios. Choosing the right material is critical to the performance and cost of the final product.