Common Materials

Overview: The following is a listing of some common injection molding materials,

typical applications, advantages and disadvantages. This list is by no means all of the
materials available. Nor does it quote specific properties, as many properties vary
greatly due to the grade of material. It is only intended to note general characteristics of
commonly used materials. Material selection may require much deeper investigation.
Refer to Resources for a listing of books and web links useful for material selection.

Acrylic

Acetal (Polyacetal, POM)

Common Uses:
- automotive gears and bearings
- electrical switch housings
- TV parts
- pumps, valves, shower heads
- toys, sporting goods

Advantages:
- high tensile strength, rigid, and tough
- good resistance to fuels and solvents
- good abrasion resistance
- low coefficient of friction
- many food grades available

Disadvantages:
- subject to UV degradation
- poor resistance to acids and bases
- difficult to bond
- high mold shrinkage

Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate, PMMA)

Common Uses:
- safety lenses
- automotive tail lights and trim
- household goods, dishes

Advantages:
- optical clarity
- rigid
- excellent weather resistance
- good electrical properties
- good acidic and basic resistance

Disadvantages:
- poor solvent resistance
- subject to stress cracking
- limited service temperature

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Common Uses:
- computer housings
- automotive interior trim
- small appliances

Advantages:
- easily processed
- hard, rigid, and very tough
- good dimensional stability
- low to moderate cost
- high abrasion resistance
- excellent appearance

Disadvantages:
- poor solvent resistance
- low elongation
- limited service temperature
- low dielectric strength
- fair weather resistance

Cellulosics
Cellulose Acetate (CA)
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB)
Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP)
Common Uses:
- telephone and appliance cases
- automotive steering wheels and control buttons
- toys, pens, and pencils

Advantages:
- tough
- wide range of processing characteristics available
- stress cracking resistant
- excellent transparency
- high gloss and colors easily
- pleasant to the touch

Disadvantages:
- poor solvent resistance
- poor weather resistance
- poor to fair acidic and basic resistance
- low compressive strength
- flammable

Nylon (Polyamide, PA)

Common Uses:
- gears, rollers, slides, cams
- automotive cooling fans and fuel parts
- electrical components

Advantages:
- tough and impact resistant
- good abrasion resistance
- good solvent resistance
- good fuel and basic resistance
- low coefficient of friction

Disadvantages:
- high shrinkage
- poor to fair acidic resistance
- various degrees of moisture absorption
- reduced electrical and mechanical properties due to moisture

Phenolic (Phenol Formaldehyde)

Common Uses:
- handles, knobs
- electrical hardware
- small appliance housings
- automotive under the hood components

Advantages:
- relatively low cost
- excellent solvent resistance
- rigid
- superior dimensional stability
- good compressive strength
- good electrical properties
- excellent weather resistance
Disadvantages:
- poor basic resistance
- limited to dark colors

Polycarbonate (PC)
Common Uses:
- portable tools
- lighting fixtures
- microwave cookware

Advantages:
- high impact strength
- low flammability
- excellent electrical properties
- low moisture absorption

Disadvantages:
- requires high processing temperature
- subject to stress cracking
- poor to fair chemical resistance

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
Common Uses:
- electronics
- automotive, marine, and aerospace parts
- medical applications

Advantages:
- excellent flexural, tensile, and impact strength
- high continuous service temperature
- good chemical resistance
- high radiation resistance
- excellent abrasion resistance
- low coefficient of friction
- good electrical properties
- easily processed

Disadvantages:
- high cost

Polyethylene (PE)
low density (LDPE)
high density (HDPE)
high molecular weight (HMWPE)
ultra-high molecular weight (UHMWPE)
Common Uses:
- toys
- food containers, bottles
- household goods
- medical ware
- bearings, wear plates, gears (HMWPE)

Advantages:
- low cost
- tough
- lightweight
- good to excellent chemical resistance
- food grades available
- low moisture absorption

Disadvantages:
- high thermal expansion
- poor weather resistance
- subject to stress cracking
- difficult to bond
- flammable
- poor temperature capability

Polyphenylene Oxide (PPO)

Common Uses:
- water handling equipment, pumps, valves, filters
- automotive grills, wheel covers, and instrument panels
- electrical outlet boxes, TV tuners
- appliances and office equipment housings

Advantages:
- good fatigue strength and impact strength
- excellent electrical properties
- high service temperature
- low moisture absorption at low or high temperatures
- low mold shrinkage

Disadvantages:
- relatively high cost

Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)

Common Uses:
- high performance electrical connectors
- high stress parts
Advantages:
- high temperature resistance
- good to excellent chemical resistance
- good flammability resistance

Disadvantages:
- sensitive to molding conditions
- low temperature endurance

Polypropylene (PP)
Common Uses:
- household goods
- automotive hardware
- electrical hardware
- industrial fluid processing parts

Advantages:
- easily processed
- low cost
- food grades available
- low moisture absorption
- excellent chemical resistance
- good flex life and elastic memory (ideal for living hinges)

Disadvantages:
- subject to UV degradation
- difficult to bond
- limited weather resistance
- poor solvent resistance
- flammable

Polystyrene (Styrene, PS)

crystal (XPS)
high impact (HIPS)
Common Uses:
- eye glasses
- cassettes
- appliance housings
- furniture

Advantages:
- optical clarity
- low cost
- easily processed
- rigid
Disadvantages:
- flammable
- poor impact strength
- poor chemical resistance
- poor to fair weather resistance

Polysulfone (Sulfone, PSU)

Common Uses:
- appliance parts
- electronic parts
- automotive under the hood components

Advantages:
- high service temperature
- transparent
- tough and rigid
- good acidic, basic, and detergent resistance
- good dimensional stability
- low mold shrinkage

Disadvantages:
- poor solvent resistance
- poor weather resistance
- subject to stress cracking
- requires high processing temperature

Polyurethane (PU)
Common Uses:
- gears, bearings, rollers and wheels
- automotive panels
- medical components

Advantages:
- high abrasion resistance
- excellent low temperature properties
- excellent impact strength
- good chemical resistance
- good electrical properties

Disadvantages:
- poor weather resistance
- poor to fair solvent resistance
- flammable
- toxic isocyanates
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Common Uses:
- pipes and pipe fittings
- cable insulation
- medical appliances

Advantages:
- good weather resistance
- good flammability resistance
- wide range of flexibility available
- excellent acidic and basic resistance

Disadvantages:
- limited service temperature
- limited solvent resistance
- high density

Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN)

Common Uses:
- dishes, bowls
- refrigerator shelves
- automotive instrument clusters

Advantages:
- rigid
- good electrical properties

Disadvantages:
- low impact strength
- limited service temperature