Thermoplastics Triangle
Click the sections of the triangle to explore characteristics and application considerations for the materials in each grouping
HIGH SERVICE TEMPERATURE
HIGH COST
- Best physical properties above 400°F
- Best temperature resistance
- High temperature, high load bearing and wear capabilities (bearing grades)
- Good chemical resistance
MATERIALS
- Vespel® PI**
- Torlon® PAI
- Best physical properties above 400°F
- Best temperature resistance
- High temperature, high load
bearing and wear capabilities (bearing grades) - Good chemical resistance
- Vespel®
- PAI
PERFORMANCE MATERIALS
- High service temperatures
- High strength
- Hot water and steam resistance
- Thermoformability
- Radel® R
- Ultem®
- Polysulfone
ENGINEERING PLASTICS
- General purpose structural parts
- Moderate strength
- Moderate temperature
- Good dimensional stability
- Good Izod impact
- Easily fabricated
- Polycarbonate
- Noryl® PPO
COMMODITY PLASTICS
- Low temperature
- Low strength
- Good bondability
- Good machinability
- Good formability
- Low cost
- Polystyrene
- PVC
- ABS
- Acrylic
- PETG
- KYDEX®
CHARACTERISTICS
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)
- 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 MATERIALS
- High service temperature
- Excellent chemical resistance
- High purity
- PEEK®
- PPS
- PTFE
- PVDF (Kynar®)
ENGINEERING PLASTICS
- General purpose bearing and wear or structural parts
- Moderate strength and stiffness
- Good chemical resistance
- Moderate temperature
- PET
- PBT
- Nylon
- Acetal
COMMODITY PLASTICS
- Low temperature
- Low strength
- Good chemical resistance
- Low moisture absorption
- Low cost
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene
- (HDPE, LDPE, UHMW-PE)
CHARACTERISTICS
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.
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Research Materials
We carry an extensive inventory of plastic sheets, rods, tubes, film, tapes, adhesives and more from highly qualified manufacturers.
Specialized Services
We provide value for our customers with inventory programs, troubleshooting, traceability, process efficiencies, and more.
Fabrication & Machined Parts
Curbell supplies fabricated and machined plastic parts manufactured via CNC routing, milling, vacuum forming, die cutting, and more.
