Information of 30 commonly used plastic resins
Plastic resins offer a wide range of properties and characteristics suitable for various applications. Understanding the differences between these commonly used plastic resins and their typical usage fields is crucial for selecting the right material for specific projects. Considerations such as mechanical strength, chemical resistance, heat resistance, transparency, and environmental impact play key roles in material selection. By leveraging the unique properties of different plastic resins, manufacturers can create innovative and efficient solutions across industries such as packaging, automotive, electronics, medical, and more.
Polyethylene (PE): PE is a versatile and widely used plastic with excellent chemical resistance. It is available in various forms, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). PE is used in packaging, bottles, toys, and household goods.
Polypropylene (PP): PP is known for its high strength, chemical resistance, and heat resistance. It is used in automotive parts, appliances, packaging, and medical devices.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): PVC is a rigid plastic with good chemical resistance. It is used in construction materials, pipes, cables, and vinyl records.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): PET is a strong and lightweight plastic with excellent clarity. It is commonly used in beverage bottles, food packaging, and textiles.
Polystyrene (PS): PS is a versatile plastic with good stiffness and impact resistance. It is used in packaging, disposable cutlery, insulation, and consumer electronics.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS): ABS is a durable and impact-resistant plastic. It is used in automotive parts, electronic housings, toys, and appliances.
Polycarbonate (PC): PC is a transparent and impact-resistant plastic with high heat resistance. It is used in automotive components, safety glasses, electronics, and medical devices.
Polyamide (PA/Nylon): Nylon is a strong and abrasion-resistant plastic with good mechanical properties. It is used in gears, bearings, textiles, and automotive parts.
Polyoxymethylene (POM/Acetal): POM is a high-strength plastic with low friction and excellent dimensional stability. It is used in gears, bearings, valves, and automotive components.
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG): PETG is a transparent and impact-resistant plastic with good chemical resistance. It is used in medical devices, signage, and displays.
Polyphenylene Oxide (PPO): PPO is a high-temperature resistant plastic with good electrical properties. It is used in electrical connectors, automotive parts, and appliances.
Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS): PPS is a high-temperature and chemical-resistant plastic. It is used in automotive components, electrical connectors, and industrial applications.
Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK): PEEK is a high-performance plastic with excellent mechanical and chemical properties. It is used in aerospace, automotive, and medical applications.
Polylactic Acid (PLA): PLA is a biodegradable and renewable plastic derived from plant-based sources. It is used in packaging, disposable cutlery, and 3D printing.
Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT): PBT is a high-strength and heat-resistant plastic. It is used in electrical connectors, automotive parts, and appliances.
Polyurethane (PU): PU is a versatile plastic with excellent flexibility, abrasion resistance, and impact resistance. It is used in foams, coatings, adhesives, and automotive parts.
Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF): PVDF is a high-performance plastic with excellent chemical resistance and UV stability. It is used in piping systems, membranes, and electrical components.
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA): EVA is a flexible and impact-resistant plastic with good transparency. It is used in footwear, foam padding, and packaging.
Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS): PC/ABS blends combine the strength of PC with the toughness of ABS. They are used in automotive parts, electronic enclosures, and appliances.
Polypropylene Random Copolymer (PP-R): PP-R is a plastic used in piping systems for plumbing and HVAC applications due to its high heat resistance and chemical stability.
Polyetherimide (PEI): PEI is a high-temperature plastic with excellent mechanical and electrical properties. It is used in aerospace, electronics, and automotive applications.
Polyimide (PI): PI is a high-performance plastic with exceptional thermal and chemical resistance. It is used in aerospace, electronics, and specialty applications.
Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK): PEKK is a high-performance plastic with excellent mechanical and thermal properties. It is used in aerospace, automotive, and medical applications.
Polystyrene (PS) Foam: PS foam, also known as expanded polystyrene (EPS), is a lightweight and insulating material used in packaging, insulation, and construction.
Polyethylene (PE) Foam: PE foam is a cushioning material used in packaging, insulation, and automotive applications for its impact resistance and lightweight properties.
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU): TPU is a flexible and elastic plastic with excellent abrasion resistance. It is used in footwear, hoses, and sports equipment.
Polypropylene Carbonate (PPC): PPC is a biodegradable plastic used in packaging, disposable cutlery, and medical applications.
Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB): PVB is a transparent plastic used in laminated safety glass for automotive windshields and architectural applications.
Polyimide Foam (PI Foam): PI foam is a lightweight and thermally insulating material used in aerospace and electronics for its high-temperature stability.
Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN): PEN is a high-performance plastic with excellent chemical resistance and dimensional stability. It is used in electrical components and films.
As a plastic injection mold maker, we must know the key differences among different materials and their common usage fields. When customers ask for our suggestions for their injection molding projects, we should know how to help them. Below are 30 commonly used plastic resins, here for your reference, hope it can be helpful.
| Plastic Resin | Key Properties | Common Usage Fields |
| Polyethylene (PE) | Versatile, chemical resistance | Packaging, bottles, toys |
| Polypropylene (PP) | High strength, chemical resistance | Automotive parts, packaging |
| Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) | Rigid, good chemical resistance | Construction materials, pipes |
| Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) | Strong, lightweight, clarity | Beverage bottles, food packaging |
| Polystyrene (PS) | Versatile, stiffness, impact resistance | Packaging, disposable cutlery |
| Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) | Durable, impact-resistant | Automotive parts, toys |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | Transparent, impact-resistant, heat resistance | Automotive components, safety glasses |
| Polyamide (PA/Nylon) | Strong, abrasion-resistant | Gears, bearings, textiles |
| Polyoxymethylene (POM/Acetal) | High strength, low friction, dimensional stability | Gears, bearings, valves |
| Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) | Transparent, impact-resistant, chemical resistance | Medical devices, signage |
| Polyphenylene Oxide (PPO) | High-temperature resistance, electrical properties | Electrical connectors, automotive parts |
| Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) | High-temperature, chemical resistance | Automotive components, electrical connectors |
| Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) | High-performance, mechanical and chemical properties | Aerospace, automotive, medical applications |
| Polylactic Acid (PLA) | Biodegradable, renewable | Packaging, disposable cutlery |
| Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) | High-strength, heat resistance | Electrical connectors, automotive parts |
| Polyurethane (PU) | Flexible, abrasion resistance | Foams, coatings, adhesives |
| Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) | Chemical resistance, UV stability | Piping systems, membranes |
| Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) | Flexible, impact-resistant, transparency | Footwear, foam padding |
| Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS) | Strength, toughness | Automotive parts, electronic enclosures |
| Polypropylene Random Copolymer (PP-R) | Heat resistance, chemical stability | Plumbing, HVAC applications |
| Polyetherimide (PEI) | High-temperature, mechanical, electrical properties | Aerospace, electronics, automotive |
| Polyimide (PI) | High-performance, thermal, chemical resistance | Aerospace, electronics, specialty applications |
| Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) | High-performance, mechanical, thermal properties | Aerospace, automotive, medical applications |
| Polystyrene (PS) Foam | Lightweight, insulating | Packaging, insulation, construction |
| Polyethylene (PE) Foam | Impact resistance, lightweight | Packaging, insulation, automotive |
| Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) | Flexible, elastic, abrasion resistance | Footwear, hoses, sports equipment |
| Polypropylene Carbonate (PPC) | Biodegradable | Packaging, disposable cutlery, medical applications |
Post time: May-20-2023
