Material

Material

Characteristics

Price

Technical Information

Common Applications

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

+ Durable, with good impact and heat resistance

+ Good dimensions

+ Can be molded into complex objects

- Prone to warping

- Cracking under certain conditions (exposure to UV light and heat)

$ $

Shrinkage: 0.4%–0.8%
Tolerances: ±0.005–0.010 in (0.127–0.254 mm)

Automotive parts, toys, electronic housings, luggage, kitchen appliances

Polypropylene (PP)

+ High strength-to-weight ratio
+ Good chemical resistance
+ Low cost+ Easy to process and mold into various shapes
- Not as strong as ABS
- Not for high-stress applications
- Prone to warping and shrinking

$

Shrinkage: 1.0%–2.5%
Tolerances: ±0.005–0.010 in (0.127–0.254 mm)

Packaging, containers, automotive parts, medical devices

Polyamide 6 (PA6)

+ High tensile strength
+ Low moisture absorption
+ Good chemical resistance
+ Good dimensional stability
- Prone to warping and shrinkage

$ $ $

Shrinkage: 1.5%–3.0%
Tolerances: ±0.005–0.010 in (0.127–0.254 mm)

Gears, bearings, electrical components, automotive parts

Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)

+ High transparency
+ Good impact strength
+ Weather resistance
+ Easily molded
+ Good dimensional stability
- Prone to scratching and cracking

$ $ $

Shrinkage: 0.2%–1.5%
Tolerances: ±0.005–0.010 in (0.127–0.254 mm)

Lighting fixtures, automotive lenses, medical devices

Polycarbonate (PC)

+ High impact resistance, transparency, heat resistance
+ Easily molded
- Prone to warping and shrinking

$ $ $ $

Shrinkage: 0.5%–0.8%
Tolerances: ±0.005–0.010 in (0.127–0.254 mm)

Electronic components, automotive parts, medical devices, safety helmets

Polyoxymethylene (POM)

+ High strength, stiffness, dimensional stability
+ Good chemical resistance
+ Easily molded into complex shapes
- Prone to warping and cracking under UV/high temps

$ $ $

Shrinkage: 1.5%–2.5%
Tolerances: ±0.005–0.010 in (0.127–0.254 mm)

Gear wheels, bearings, electrical components

Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK)

+ Excellent mechanical properties: high strength, stiffness, creep resistance
+ Good chemical resistance, high temperature tolerance- Expensive
- Prone to warping and shrinking

$ $ $ $ $

Shrinkage: 1.0%–3.0%
Tolerances: ±0.002–0.005 in (0.0508–0.127 mm)

Aerospace components, medical devices, electrical connectors

Polyethylene (PE)

+ Low cost, toughness, chemical resistance
+ Easily molded- Not as strong as ABS/PC
- Prone to warping and shrinking

$

Shrinkage: 1.5%–3.5%
Tolerances: ±0.010–0.020 in (0.254–0.508 mm)

Packaging, containers, toys

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

+ High strength, toughness, transparency
- Prone to warping and shrinking

$

Shrinkage: 0.2%–1.0%
Tolerances: ±0.005–0.010 in (0.127–0.254 mm)

Bottles, jars, containers

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

+ Good chemical resistance, low cost, versatility
+ Easily molded
- Not as strong as ABS/PC
- Can release harmful fumes when heated/burned

$

Shrinkage: 0.2%–1.0%
Tolerances: ±0.005–0.010 in (0.127–0.254 mm)

Pipes, electrical cable insulation, inflatable products

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)

+ High elasticity, toughness, abrasion/chemical resistance
+ Easily molded
- More expensive than ABS/PP

$ $ $

Shrinkage: 0.5%–1.5%
Tolerances: ±0.005–0.010 in (0.127–0.254 mm)

Footwear, sporting goods, medical devices

Acrylonitrile Styrene (AS)

+ Transparent or semi-transparent
+ High surface gloss+ Lightweight
+ Good chemical resistance
- Prone to shear-sensitive flow marks
- Moderate heat resistance

$ $

Shrinkage: 0.5%–1.5%
Tolerances: ±0.005–0.010 in (0.127–0.254 mm)

Remote controller shells, transparent covers, decorative/display components