HIGH PERFORMANCE HIGH SERVICE TEMPERATURE HIGH COST IMIDIZED MATERIALS Best physical properties above 400°F Best temperature resistance High temperature, high load bearing and wear capabilities (bearing grades) Good chemical resistance IMIDIZED MATERIALS 500°F approximate maximum* Vespel® PI** PAI IMIDIZED MATERIALS 500°F approximate maximum* IMIDIZED MATERIALS Best physical properties above 400°F Best temperature resistance High temperature, high load bearing and wear capabilities (bearing grades) Good chemical resistance Vespel® PAI HIGH PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING PLASTICS 350°F approximate maximum* AMORPHOUS HIGH PERFORMANCE MATERIALS High service temperatures High strength Hot water and steam resistance Thermoformability Radel® R Ultem® Polysulfone ENGINEERING PLASTICS 250°F approximate maximum* AMORPHOUS ENGINEERING PLASTICS General purpose structural parts Moderate strength Moderate temperature Good dimensional stability Good Izod impact Easily fabricated Polycarbonate Noryl® PPO COMMODITY PLASTICS 180°F approximate maximum* AMORPHOUS COMMODITY PLASTICS Low temperature Low strength Good bondability Good machinability Good formability Low cost Polystyrene PVC ABS Acrylic PETG KYDEX® GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AMORPHOUS PLASTICS Softens over a wide temperature range Easy to thermoform Transparent Poor chemical resistance Bonds well using adhesives or solvents Prone to stress cracking Poor fatigue resistance Structural applications only (not suitable for bearing and wear) IMIDIZED MATERIALS 500°F approximate maximum* IMIDIZED MATERIALS Best physical properties above 400°F Best temperature resistance High temperature, high load bearing and wear capabilities (bearing grades) Good chemical resistance Vespel® PAI TEMPERATURE RISES 350°F approximate maximum* SEMI-CRYSTALLINE HIGH PERFORMANCE MATERIALS High service temperature Excellent chemical resistance High purity PEEK® PPS PTFE PVDF (Kynar®) TEMPERATURE RISES 250°F approximate maximum* SEMI-CRYSTALLINE ENGINEERING PLASTICS General purpose bearing and wear or structural parts Moderate strength and stiffness Good chemical resistance Moderate temperature PET PBT Nylon Acetal TEMPERATURE RISES 180°F approximate maximum* SEMI-CRYSTALLINE COMMODITY PLASTICS Low temperature Low strength Good chemical resistance Low moisture absorption Low cost Polypropylene Polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE, UHMW-PE) GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS SEMI-CRYSTALLINE PLASTICS Sharp melting point Difficult to thermoform Opaque Good chemical resistance Difficult to bond using adhesives or solvents Resistant to stress cracking Good fatigue resistance Good for bearing and wear (as well as structural applications) Download Thermoplastics Plastic Triangle technical resource.