Page 35 - Plastics News April 2018

FeAtures
FEATURES

• Long glass fiber additives improve stiffness and • Carbon and stainless steel fillers improve
strength, increase temperature performance conductive and/or shielding properties.
up to 150°C, and create a moderate surface • Lubricant fillers improve wear and friction
appearance. properties.
• Short-glass fiber additives improve stiffness, • Mineral fillers improve electrical performance,
increase temperature performance and improve weighted feel, sound dampening capabilities,
appearance over long glass additives. Glass dimensional stability and specific gravity.
content of 30% or less allows parts to look
comparable to unreinforced plastic parts. • Impact modifiers improve toughness.
• Flame-retardants increase resistance to burning.
Table 2 lists and describes some these varieties of
plastics and their suggested applications.
Automotive Grade Plastics

Material Name Material Type Abbrev Trade Names Description Applications
Acetal Crystalline POM Celcon, Strong, rigid, excellent Bearings, cams,
Delrin, resistance to fatigue, gears, handles,
Hostaform, chemicals, moisture, plumbing
Lucel naturally opaque, low/ components,
medium cost rollers, rotors,
slide guides, valves
Polyamide 6 Crystalline PA6 Akulon, High strength, fatigue Bearings, bushings,
(Nylon) Ultramid, and chemical resistance, gears, rollers,
Grilon low friction, almost wheels
opaque, medium/high
cost
Polycarbonate Amorphous PC Calibre, Very tough, temperature Panels, lenses,
Lexan, resistance, dimensional consoles, housings;
Makrolon stability, transparent, light covers;
high cost reflectors
Polyester Crystalline PBT, PET Celanex, Rigid, heat resistance, Filters, pumps,
Crastin, chemical resistance, bearings, cams,
Lupox, Rynite, medium/high cost electrical
Valox components, gears,
housings, switches,
valves
Polyetherether- Crystalline PEEK Strong, thermal stability, Components,
ketone chemical and abrasion electrical
resistance, low moisture connectors, pump
absorption impellers, seals
Polyphenylene Crystalline PPS Ryton, Fortron Very high strength, heat Bearings, covers,
Sulphide resistance, very high fuel system
cost components,
guides, switches,
and shields
Polyvinyl Amorphous PVC Welvic, Varlan Tough, flexible, flame Electrical insulation
Chloride resistance, transparent
or opaque, low cost

35 April 2018 Plastics News