Below is a list of the high preformance plastics in alphabetical order with material properties.
Europlex only works with materials who meet the REACH, ROHS and EU standards.
Various quality documents such as 2.1, 3.1 material certificates, FDA reports, batch certificates and USP Class VI are available for certain materials.
Please contact us if you have any questions : contact@europlex.be (we will reply within 24h)
A more urgent question, contact us at +32 (0) 67 55 07 90
Please note that the 3.1 material certificate is a charged certificate. The 2.1 certificate needs to be specified when ordering so the proper material is linked to the certificate.
A-PET is a material known for its robustness; but also its shock-resistance is important, as well as its good resistance to internal pressure and stress-cracking. Moreover, it has good gas, UV and water barrier properties. It can be used at temperatures between -20°C to +60°C.
This material is useful for lids, salad trays... and other packaging that need to show the product (freshness, shape ...); Indeed, A-PET is skin and shows a transparency close to glass.
ABS is used for rigid objects because the material is very dimensionally stable. It is lightweight but hard and impact resistant. In addition, ABS has little tendency to creep *. Because ABS is a thermoplastic, the material cannot withstand high temperatures. The maximum temperature that the material can tolerate lies between 85°C and 100°C.
* Creep is the permanent deformation of a material that is stressed for a long time with a tension (tensile force, compressive force, bending). Creep is usually an undesirable phenomenon, and can be a limiting factor for the object’s lifetime.
Examples of creep:
A clothesline will stretch over time and will no longer be tense.
TIVAR Cestidur is a modified PE-UHMW with an extremely high molecular weight. This, in combination with a very specific manufacturing process, results in a PE-UHMW type with even better wear and abrasion resistance than the TIVAR 1000.
TIVAR Cestidur has proven itself as an excellent plain bearing and wear material in many industries and under harsh working conditions.
The main advantage of ECTFE is not only the good diffusion resistance or the wide usage temperature range, but especially the excellent chemical resistance. ECTFE can be used in the vicinity of a caustic soda or potash solution. In addition, ECTFE is highly resistant to oxidation acids with a high concentration such as sulfuric acid (> 97%) and nitric acid (100%) and chlorine compounds such as chlorine dioxide or sodium hypochlorite.
PTFE and FEP are similar in their material properties. The main difference between PTFE and FEP lies primarily in the maximum use temperature and the colour. PTFE is milky / white and FEP is clear transparent.
Material properties:
Specific material where absorbent dyes are homogeneously dispersed to create edge or long wavelength filters. Especially used for military applications.
Polyethylene / Polythene (PE)
External identification: Feels greasy, low gloss, very dull sound, very light weight.
There are 3 types of PE: HD (High Density), HMPE (High Molecular Weight) and UHMPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight).
Fire test: Burns quickly and is not self-extinguishing.
Mechanical properties: PE is a fairly tough material, has excellent sliding properties and a high impact resistance even at low temperatures. It is also very wear-resistant.
The higher the molecular weight, the higher the impact and notch impact resistance, the wear resistance, the tensile strength and the toughness, and the better the resistance to high temperatures and chemicals.
As nothing adheres to the material, it cannot be glued.
Moisture & weather resistance: The UV resistance of PE is low, but the material has excellent electrical properties. Since it does not absorb moisture, it is very suitable for insulation purposes.
Properties & applications: PE is widely used in the food industry: cutting plates, guide rails.
The material has very good chemical properties, it is resistant to diluted acids, alkalis, many solvents (not benzene and trichlorethylene), alcohol, petrol, water, grease and oil. Hence why it is also widely used in the chemical industry, construction of installations and refrigeration engineering.
Standard available range: Sheet material in all colours, thicknesses and dimensions.
High Modulus Polyethylene is a homogeneous wear-resistant plastic with good mechanical properties. It exists in 2 variants: HMPE 500 and HMPE 1000.
HMPE ST500
HMPE 500 is wear-resistant, repels moisture and is fully approved for direct contact with food.
HMPE ST1000
HMPE 1000 is even more wear-resistant. The material has non-adhering properties, so that it can be used as a covering for silos, gutters and loading bins.
Polyamide 12 (also PA-12 or Nylon 12) is a thermoplastic polymer from the polyamides. It is the polymer of laurolactam; it can therefore also be called polylaurolactam. The "12" refers to the number of carbon atoms in the monomer laurolactam.
Applications:
Polyamide 12 is used in special applications, such as precision parts that must be used under difficult conditions (exposure to chemicals and / or mechanical stress).
Some examples:
Polyamide, better known as nylon, is a high-quality plastic with a good wear-resistant effect. Moreover, polyamide (PA) is very strong, chemically resistant, electrically insulating and vibration absorbing. Thanks to the remarkably low friction coefficient, polyamide has an exceptionally long lifetime. Nylon can be produced in 2 ways: by extrusion or by casting. Cast nylon is even harder and more wear-resistant than extruded nylon, is stress-free and absorbs less moisture. The following types exist:
PA 6
PA 6 OLG (oil-filled)
PA 6 heat-stabilized
PA 6 filled with glass marbles
PA 6 + 30% optical fibres
PA 6.6 + 30% optical fibres
PA 6.6 with dry lubricant
PA 6 cast with dry lubricant
PA 6.6 with MOS2
PA 6.6 with 20% carbon fibres
Properties:
high mechanical strength
good resistance to fatigue
mechanically damping
good sliding and dry running properties
excellent wear resistance
good machinability
PA-6 - Cast
PA-6G can, through the casting process, be used to produce plastic products with larger dimensions and higher mechanical strength. During the casting, the nylon plastic remains nearly stress-free, making it more machinable than PA-6-XT. PA-6G also has a lower moisture absorption which means it can withstand exceptionally heavy loads. The cast PA-6G is used i.e. for gears, apron and curve plates, conveyor rollers and pulleys. PA-6G has a very good damping capacity, is tough, dimensionally stable and wear-resistant. The material has an operating temperature from -40°C to +100°C.
Main Characteristics :
Very high maximum allowable service temperature in air [250 °C continuously]
Excellent retention of mechanical strength, stiffness and creep resistance over a wide temperature range
Superb dimensional stability up to 250 °C
Excellent wear & frictional behaviour [particularly Duratron® T4301 & T4501 PAI]
Very good UV-resistance
Exceptional resistance against high energy radiation [gamma- and X-rays]
Inherent low flammability
Making it extremely popular for precision parts in e.g. the electronical and semiconductor industries."
Polycarbonate sheets lend themselves perfectly to the construction of safe and transparent screening on and around machines. Polycarbonate is extremely impact-resistant, it is even 250 times stronger than glass of the same thickness.
Properties:
High resistance to shock, resistant to high temperatures, mechanically cold or hot mouldable, applied as intruder resistant glazing, good reflection of light, used for machine hoods.
PE-HD
Hard polyethylene belongs to the group of polyolefins. It is a very strong material with good chemical resistance and electrical insulation. It is resistant to sunlight and other weather conditions (black), moisture-repellent and can be used at temperatures between -30°C and +80°C.
PE-EL
This variant is ideal for applications where electrostatic charging is not desirable. The surface resistance is <109 W. Food approved material, light weight and low water absorption. Good chemical resistance, shock-resistant and wear-resistant. Weldable, Type 300, Type 500 and Type 1000.
Polyether ether ketones offer a unique combination of excellent chemical resistance, high temperature resistance and heavy mechanical stress. The continuously permissible operating temperature of these materials is 250°C with the possibility of short-term temperature peaks of up to 310°C.
The low thermal expansion coefficient, high material stiffness and excellent resistance to creep, give polyether ether ketones good dimensional stability. In combination with their good machinability, these materials strive for tight tolerances. Furthermore, they are naturally flame-retardant, have good thermal and electrical insulating properties and offer good resistance to microwave, X and gamma rays. The intrinsic purity makes polyether ether ketones suitable for direct contact with food, for high purity environments and even for biocompatibility. They have a good sterilizability.
In addition to the naturally good sliding properties of polyether ether ketones, some specific fillers provide further improvement of the sliding and wear properties.
Polyetherimides are yellowish, translucent, high performance plastics with good sterilizability and high mechanical strength over a wide temperature range. The continuously allowed operating temperature of these materials is 170°C with the possibility of short-term temperature peaks of 200°C.
Polyetherimides are naturally flame-retardant, have a low smoke emission during combustion and are well resistant to UV and gamma radiation. Furthermore, they offer excellent electrical and thermal insulators in combination with good chemical resistance and dimensional stability. These materials are almost transparent for infrared light, visible light and microwave radiation. They are also suitable for direct contact with food.
Polyethersulfones are yellowish, translucent, high performance plastics with moderate steam sterilizability and good chemical resistance over a wide temperature range. The continuously allowed operating temperature of these materials is 180°C with the possibility of short-term temperature peaks of 220°C.
Polyethersulfones are naturally extinguishing, have good electrical and thermal insulating properties and are suitable for direct contact with food.
Excellent transparency and high resistance to shocks, almost like PC, good chemical resistance, mouldable, glueable and easy to machine, food approved material.
PETP is better known under the brand name "Arnite". This thermoplastic polyester based on polyethylene terephthalate is the ideal material for the realization of objects where dimensional stability and stability are required. PETP has good chemical resistance, good dielectric properties and is non-flammable.
Characteristics:
Polyimides can be used over a wide temperature range, ranging from cryogenic temperatures to approximately 260°C. As they do not have a glass transition temperature nor a visible melting point, they retain their good dimensional stability and mechanical properties. As a measure of short-term peak temperatures, an upper limit of 480°C applies.
Furthermore, polyimides naturally possess good electrical insulating and dielectric properties. They are flame extinguishing, well-resistant to high-energy radiation and have minimal outgassing in vacuum. Taking into account the intrinsic purity of these materials, polyimides are also very suitable for high purity applications.
Thanks to their excellent dimensional stability, high temperature resistance and good sliding properties, polyimides are a valued material for plain bearings and dynamic seals. Depending on the fillers, they may or may not be self-lubricating.
Acrylate
Optical purity, chemical resistance, good machinability are some of the features that make acrylate one of the most versatile and most used plastics of the moment. Liquid supply meters, sight glasses, prototypes, shields, ... are applications that prove that acrylate has become a valuable and even indispensable material in the industrial sector.
At Europlex, we work with the brand Plexiglas (provided with ROHS and REACH standards).
PMMA can be either extruded or molded.
Extruded Plexiglas is a transparent polymer extruded into a continuous sheet. It can be cut to size and has a variety of applications, including signage, glazing, and product display. It is durable, lightweight, and easy to work with.
Molded PMMA is a type of PMMA that is manufactured by pouring the material into a mold and then allowing it to cure. This type of PMMA is often used to make eyeglasses, medical implants, and other objects that require a high degree of precision.
Characteristics:
Polyacetal or POM for short is a very interesting and widely used material. POM has a smooth and wear-resistant surface. Due to the negligible moisture absorption, the material is dimensionally stable and nearly stress free. POM-LX is a special variant of polyacetal to which a percentage of polyethylene has been added. This results in increased sliding properties and an even lower friction coefficient.
Characteristics:
Polypropylene is characterized by a high impact resistance and a high temperature range. These properties, combined with the exceptional chemical resistance, make PP widely used in the chemical industry.
PP-S
This is polypropylene in a self-extinguishing quality. PP-S is classified as flame-retardant class B1 according to DIN 4102 part 1.
PP-SEL
This polypropylene variety is not only self-extinguishing, but also electrically conductive and therefore ideal for applications where electrostatic charging is be avoided. The surface resistance is <3.5 .103 W.
PPE or polyphenylene oxide is a material with a low specific gravity, low moisture absorption, good shock resistance and good chemical resistance.
PPE has an operational temperature range from -50°C to + 150°C. This material is mainly used in electronic and electrical parts of computers, office machines, pump parts, ...
Thanks to their excellent chemical resistance, good dimensional stability and extended operating temperature, polyphenylene sulphides bridge the gap between semi-crystalline engineering plastics and semi-crystalline high performance plastics. The continuously allowed operating temperature of these materials is 220°C with the possibility of short-term temperature peaks of 260°C. Polyphenylene sulphides are naturally flame-retardant, have a good resistance against UV and high-energy radiation and are allowed to come into direct contact with food. Furthermore, they are excellent electrical and thermal insulators. Due to their low moisture absorption, these materials have a good hydrolysis and moderate steam resistance which also makes them usable for sterilization purposes. In addition, they are extremely hard materials. The addition of lubricants makes them ideal for self-lubricating sliding applications.
Priorities:
High resistance to shocks, low weight and low price, hot mouldable, good balance between stiffness, toughness and heat resistance, good chemical resistance. Food approved and recyclable.
Polystyrene is by nature a clear material that is very well thermoformable. It can easily be cut to a certain thickness and can be well punched. PS is food approved and not UV-stabilized. The material lends itself perfectly to the realization of displays, didactic material, decorative and anti-reflective glazing, ...
Main Characteristics:
High maximum allowable service temperature in air [150 °C continuously]
Good hydrolysis resistance [suitable for repeated steam sterilisation]
High strength and stiffness over a wide temperature range
Good dimensional stability
Physiologically inert [suitable for food contact per FDA regulations]
Very good resistance against high energy radiation [gamma- and X-rays]
Good electrical insulating and dielectric properties
PSU is commonly used in food processing equipment (milk machines, pumps, valves, filtration plates, heat exchangers), for analytical instrumentation and all kinds of components which are subjected to
repeated cleaning and sterilisation.
FDA approved for plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs.
"PSU is a slightly yellow, translucent (non-optical quality) amorphous thermoplastic material, offering a combination of excellent mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. It often replaces polycarbonate whenever higher temperature resistance, improved chemical resistance or autoclavability are required.
"
PTFE or Teflon is a plastic with exceptional chemical resistance and extremely high temperature resistance (up to 260°C). In addition, Teflon has a very low friction coefficient, it is non-flammable and anti-adhesive.
Polyurethane or PUR has many appearances. For example, PUR is available in a smooth, resilient design, but also in an inflexible, hard form. Solid PUR is characterized by its extremely high tear resistance. The smoother types are particularly shock-resistant. They are therefore often used as a buffer.
Rigid PVC
Rigid PVC is a strong and rigid material that has excellent chemical and electrical properties. PVC can be used at temperatures from 0°C to 60°C. For these reasons, hard PVC is frequently used in all branches of the industry.
PVC-C
This type of PVC has been chlorinated and has, besides the properties of PVC, an operating temperature up to +95°C and excellent chemical resistance.
High impact-resistant PVC
Thanks to a special addition, the material is made extra impact-resistant and also UV-resistant. Furthermore, high impact-resistant PVC is resistant to low temperatures down to -30°C.
Soft PVC
Soft PVC strips offer many advantages. Heat insulation is only one of them. Soft PVC strips are also sound-insulating and offer protection against dust, dirt, insects ... Moreover, because of their perfect transparency, they increase safety at every passage.
High chemical resistance (acids, shocks, bad weather conditions). Well machinable, thermoformable, printable, weldable, rigid and strong material. Good electrical properties in many applications.
Foam PVC (Forex): Light weight and weather resistant, shock resistant, UV- and fireproof. Good thermal insulation, easy to process and to glue (display advertising).
PVDF is a highly crystalline un-reinforced, unfilled fluoropolymer that combines good mechanical, thermal and electrical properties with excellent chemical resistance. This makes PVDF a versatile construction material that lends itself particularly well to the production of components for the petrochemical, metallurgical, pharmaceutical, food, paper, textile and nuclear industries.
Characteristics:
PVDF Flex differs from the standard PVDF because of its simpler formability, both cold and hot. This results in considerable savings on the construction time in more complex constructions. The operating temperature of PVDF Flex is limited to 120°C. In addition, its chemical resistance does not fully correspond to that of standard PVDF. PVDF Flex allows you to make self-supporting constructions.
For lining of steel or GRP constructions, PVDF Flex is equipped with a synthetic mat at the rear. This mat allows an exceptionally good bonding. In the case of a mechanical fastening, PVDF Flex is available in film material without mat. For other PVDF Flex articles, you can always consult our catalogue.
Application domains:
Priorities:
A thermoplastic sliding additive is added in the core of Sustaglide cast nylon, so that the material becomes completely self-lubricating.
POLYKETONE (PK) is available in semi-finished form for the first time. Our supplier Röchling is the first manufacturer who can offer these materials in the form of plates and rods.
This fairly recent development of an exceptional material combines a unique profile in terms of properties that cannot be found in any other polymer in this form (e.g. PA - POM - PETP - Polyolefins).
The plates and rods are offered under the name SUSTAKON®.
New design possibilities:
Due to its chemical structure, SUSTAKON® offers a unique combination of mechanical, tribological and chemical properties. This new multi-purpose material opens up brand new options for design engineers in the manufacturing of components for plants and machines, that must meet the most diverse demands.
Properties:
Chemical properties:
Excellent resistance against aggressive chemical media, lyes, lubricants, oils, greases and weak acids.
Areas of application
SUSTAKON® is ideal for:
Gear wheels, friction bearings, cable and chain guides, rollers, seals, pump components, valves, ...
Applications in the chemical and mechanical industry, the oil and gas industry, offshore applications, shipbuilding, vehicle construction, ...
Delivery program
Plates:
SUSTARIN® C MDT - metal detectable acetal for the food & packaging industry.
Finally, a technical plastic is available that offers all of the physical properties of acetal, can be observed by metal detectors and best of all, it is FDA compliant.
SUSTARIN® C MDT is a solution for food processing and packaging. Most of the food products that we consume every day come into contact with different machines during the production and packaging processes. If only a small part or component of one of those machines finds its way into the food, there can be serious health risks.
SUSTARIN® C MDT has special additives that allow the parts to be detected by standard metal detectors and removed before causing further contamination. Quality assurance engineers at some of the largest food processing companies in the country have already tested this product and found it to be very effective.
The important mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance properties remain unchanged compared with standard acetal. This technical plastic has good machinability and has excellent dimensional stability for close tolerance parts. SUSTARIN® C MDT meets the FDA requirements for direct contact with food and is offered in bars of 1/4 "" to 8 "" diameter and sheets of 3/8 "" to 4 "" thick in a brilliant blue colour.
PE-Ultra High Molecular Weight (PE-UHMW) is the type of polyethylene with the highest molecular weight. As a result, PE-UHMW has excellent values with regard to wear resistance and sliding properties. Like PE-HMW, PE-UHMW is characterized by exceptional toughness and shape stability even at very low temperatures. PE-UHMW is especially intended for machine parts and construction elements that are subject to high mechanical and corrosive loads due to high friction wear, high impact energy and aggressive media.
General applications:
UHMW-PE TIVAR® high molecular weight polyethylene plastics are characterized by:
