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Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styren (ABS)
+ Durable, with good impact and heat resistance
+ Good dimensions
+ Can be molded into complex objects
- Prone to warping
- Cracking under certain conditions (exposure to UV light and heat)
Shrinkage: 0.4% to 0.8%
Tolerances: +/- 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) to +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm)
Automotive parts, toys, electronic housings, luggage and kitchen appliances
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Polypropylene (PP)
+ High strength-to-weight ratio
+ Good chemical resistance
+ Low cost
+ Easy to process and can be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes
- Not as strong as other materials such as ABS
- Not suitable for high-stress applications
- Prone to warping and shrinking
Shrinkage: 1.0% to 2.5%
Tolerances: +/- 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) to +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm)
Packaging, containers, automotive parts, medical devices
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Polyamide 6 (PA6)
+ High tensile strength
+ Low moisture
+ Absorption
+ Good chemical resistance
+ Good dimensional stability and can be easily molded into complex shapes
- Prone to warping and shrinkage during the injection molding process
Shrinkage: 0.4% to 0.8%
Tolerances: +/- 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) to +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm)
Automotive parts, toys, electronic housings, luggage and kitchen appliances
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Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)
+ High transparency
+ Good impact strength
+ Weather resistance
+ Easily molded into complex shapes
+ Good dimensional stability
- Prone to scratching and cracking under certain conditions, such as exposure to harsh chemicals or
high temperatures
- More expensive than other materials such as ABS or PP.
Shrinkage: 0.2% to 1.5%
Tolerances: +/- 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) to +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm)
Lighting fixtures, automotive lenses, medical devices
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Polycarbonate (PC)
+ High impact resistance, transparency, and heat resistance
+ Easily molded into a variety of shapes and sizes
- More expensive than other materials such as ABS or PP
- Prone to warping and shrinking during the injection molding process
Shrinkage: 0.5% to 0.8%
Tolerances: +/- 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) to +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm)
Electronic components, automotive parts, medical devices, safety helmets
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Polyoxymethylene (POM)
+ High strength, stiffness and dimensional stability
+ Good chemical resistance
+ Can be easily molded into complex shapes with tight tolerances
- Prone to warping and cracking under certain conditions, such as exposure to UV light or high
temperatures
- More expensive than other materials such as ABS or PP
Shrinkage: 1.5% to 2.5%
Tolerances: +/- 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) to +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm)
Gear wheels, bearings, electrical components
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Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK)
+ Excellent mechanical properties, including high strength, stiffness, and creep resistance
+ Good chemical resistance and can withstand high temperatures and harsh environments
- More expensive than other materials such as ABS or PP
- Prone to warping and shrinking during the injection molding process
Shrinkage: 1.0% to 3.0%
Tolerances: +/- 0.002 inches (0.0508 mm) to +/- 0.005 inches (0.127 mm)
Aerospace components, medical devices, electrical connector
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Polyethylene (PE)
+ Low cost, toughness, and chemical resistance
+ Easily molded into a variety of shapes and sizes
- Not as strong as other materials such as ABS or PC
- Prone to warping and shrinking
Shrinkage: 1.5% to 3.5%
Tolerances: +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm) to +/- 0.020 inches (0.508 mm)
Packaging, containers, toys
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Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
+ High strength, toughness, and transparency
- Prone to warping and shrinking
Shrinkage: 0.2% to 1.0%
Tolerances: +/- 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) to +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm)
Bottles, jars, containers
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Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
+ Good chemical resistance, low cost, and versatility
+ Easily molded into a variety of shapes and sizes
- Not as strong as other materials such as ABS or PC
- Can release harmful fumes when heated or burned, so proper ventilation and safety precautions are
necessary when working with this material
Shrinkage: 0.2% to 1.0%
Tolerances: +/- 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) to +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm)
Pipes, electrical cable insulation, inflatable products
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Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
+ Excellent chemical resistance, low coefficient of friction, and high temperature resistance
- More expensive than other materials such as ABS or PP
- Prone to warping and shrinking during the injection molding process
Shrinkage: 1.0% to 2.0%
Tolerances: +/- 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) to +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm)
Seals, gaskets, bearings
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Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
+ High elasticity, toughness, and resistance to abrasion and chemicals
+ Easily molded into a variety of shapes and sizes
- More expensive than other materials like ABS or PP
Shrinkage: 0.5% to 1.5%
Tolerances: +/- 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) to +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm)
Footware, sporting goods, medical devices
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High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
+ High strength, chemical resistance, and low cost
+ Easily molded into a variety of shapes and sizes
- Not as strong as other materials
Shrinkage: 1.5% to 3.5%
Tolerances: +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm) to +/- 0.020 inches (0.508 mm)
Piping, containers, toys
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LDPE
+ High flexibility, toughness, and chemical resistance
+ Easily molded into a variety of shapes and sizes
- Not as strong as other materials
Shrinkage: 1.5% to 3.5%
Tolerances: +/- 0.010 inches (0.254 mm) to +/- 0.020 inches (0.508 mm)
Film packaging, containers, toys
We can source thousands of materials on request. Please contact us for specific material requests.