List of Materials

PVC: This is a hard plastic material with a recognizable dark-grey color. The material is very good for gluing, welding, setting, turning, milling and drilling. That is why this material is used for many applications. The mechanical strength of PVC-U also makes self-supporting constructions possible. The material does not allow gases and liquids to pass through and has good resistance to aging. PVC also has excellent flame retardant properties. PVC is nice and smooth and therefore easy to clean.
o + High hardness
o + Good electrical insulation
o + Low costs
o + High chemical resistance
o – Low heat resistance

Polyethylene: The plastic polyethylene is the most popular plastic at the moment, thanks to several unique properties. Polyethylene is strong, resistant to wear and relatively cheap. Depending on the raw materials used, polyethylene can be loaded to a temperature of between 70 and 90 degrees Celsius. Moreover, polyethylene is extremely durable. By adding additives during the production process, polyethylene is UV-resistant. Like other plastics, polyethylene is not easily broken down by bacteria and is not or hardly subject to corrosion or oxidation. Polyethylene is also good to recycle because as a thermoplastic it can be melted down and reused. This makes polyethylene not only a sensible but also a sustainable choice.
o + High stiffness
o + High temperature resistance
o + Good electrical insulation
o + High UV resistance
o + Dimensionally stable
o – Low chemical resistance
o – Affected by boiling water

Nylon: Nylon plastic is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer commonly used in injection molding applications. It’s a flexible, durable, versatile material mostly used as a more affordable alternative for other materials like silk, rubber, and latex. Some other benefits of nylon polyamide include low friction, high melting temperature, high tensile strength and resistance to chemicals and abrasions.
o + High strength and stiffness
o + High temperature resistance
o + High chemical resistance
o + Food grade safe
o – Relatively expensive
o – Absorbs water

ABS: ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a high-quality plastic it is characterized by good toughness, high strength, and easy molding. Plastic ABS is one of the most frequently used materials in the manufacturing industry. ABS is widely used in auto parts, consumer goods, household appliances and packaging material.
o + Tough, high strength, impact resistance yet still flexible
o + Dimensionally very stable
o + High end look / aesthetics
o + Easy to print on, paint and plate (metal look)
o – Low UV resistance
o – Flammable at high temperatures

Polyurethane: is a thermoset (non-reusable because the structure has been chemically modified so that it does not melt into a raw material but carbonizes). Because of these chemical adaptations, PU can occur in different hardness’s and densities (40kg/m³, 60kg/m³, 80kg/m³ and 120kg/m³). Based on the application a choice is made. PU can easily be processed by contour sawing and milling because this foam is characterized by its stiffness. Furthermore, PU has a homogenous structure which results in a smooth surface after milling. Besides that PU is (contrary to EPS) compatible with polyester, which makes this material very suitable to finish with polyester or to coat.

PC/ABS: The main characteristics of PC/ABS are very good impact strength, mechanical properties and PC/ABS can withstand high temperatures. PC/ABS is not prone to wear and tear and is therefore used for parts that are subject to pressure and stress. PC/ABS is often used in the automotive industry.

PMMA: The unsurpassed clarity and formability are two of the characteristic properties of PMMA or simply acrylate. Clear PMMA even lets through a few percent more light than glass. PMMA is also used to make secretion screens to protect against infection from the coronavirus.
o + Shatter resistant
o + Extreme high transparency
o + High surface hardness
o – Brittle
o – Poor scratch resistance
o – High thermal expansion
o – Vulnerable for chemical exposure

Polypropylene: Polypropylene is a cheap plastic that is often used. PP is chemically related to PE; both are polyolefins and are often used in the same kind of applications. PP is often slightly harder than PE; thicker PP can be more transparent than PE of the same thickness. In addition, PP is also opaque and available in all sorts of colors. In comparison with PE, PP feels less waxy and does not smell as bad. PP is also the only plastic of which a one-piece hinge can be made.
o + Low costs
o + High chemical resistance
o + Low density
o + Low moisture absorption
o + Fatigue resistant / suitable for living hinges
o + Food grade safe
o – Brittle at low temperatures
o – Flammable
o – Low scratch resistance

Polystyrene: has a leading position in the modern market of insulating building materials. Polystyrene is characterized by durability, the material has a very high destructive temperature (160 degrees) and is therefore not easily affected by destructive external factors. Polystyrene is also used in food packaging because of its inadmissibility to vapors.
o + Low cost
o + High end look / aesthetics
o + High transparency
o + Hard material
o + Food grade safe
o – Brittle / low impact strength
o – Low UV resistance (becomes yellow outdoor)
o – Weak chemical resistance

HDPE: is moisture-repellent and, due to the addition of carbon black, UV- and weather-resistant. This sheet material feels greasy. PE, PVC and PP are some of the most widely used products in the industry due to their performance and price ratio. PE is chemical resistant, suitable for contact with food, has a low friction coefficient and reasonable wear resistance. HDPE is suitable as a construction material, but cannot be glued together due to the greasiness of the product.
o + High strength and toughness in relation to lower density
o + Impact resistant
o + Low costs
o + Good recyclability
o + High chemical resistance
o + Food grade safe
o – High thermal expansion / low melting temperature
o – Difficult to bond and paint
o – Flammable

Polycarbonate: Polycarbonate is a crystal-clear plastic with very high impact resistance, high toughness and a relatively high mechanical load-bearing capacity. In addition, Polycarbonate is self-extinguishing and has good chemical resistance. The clear material, which is easy to process, is virtually unbreakable and is therefore eminently suitable for strong glazing applications. Polycarbonate (PC) distinguishes itself from other plastics by its optical purity in combination with very high impact resistance. Polycarbonate sheets are no less than 250 times stronger than glass of the same thickness.
o + High strength and toughness
o + Good electrical insulation
o + High transparency (optically clear)
o + High temperature resistance
o + Fire resistant
o – Low scratch resistance
o – Degrades in (hot) water
o – Can crack due to loads or exposure to chemicals

PEEK: PEEK plastic, also known as polyetheretherketone, has gained tremendous popularity in recent years thanks to its versatile applications. PEEK plastics meet higher standards than standard or technical plastics and can therefore be seen as high-performance plastics. This compact, solid plastic can be processed with great precision, resulting in beautiful, smooth surfaces. PEEK is eminently suitable as a material for various applications that demand high quality.

Pom: Polyacetal is a strong, hard and above all dimensionally stable plastic with a very low friction resistance. The static and dynamic friction coefficients are the same, which means that ‘stick slip’ is virtually impossible. POM is also easy to process mechanically and boasts good chemical resistance to oils and fuels. The low absorption of moisture and the excellent mechanical properties guarantee products that remain true to size. POM is a widely applicable plastic in the machine-building industry.
o + High wear and tear resistance
o + High stiffness and toughness
o + Dimensionally stable
o + Easy to be machined / milled
o – More complex to injection mold