Materials
When designing a plastic part, material selection is critical. There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a material, such as strength, hardness, impact resistance, heat resistance, chemical resistance, and cost. The risk of selecting a material with unnecessarily high performance characteristics, needlessly driving up cost is nearly as great as selecting a material with too low performance for your application leading to field problems. At Guttenberg Industries we have been molding in a wide range of materials for more than 35 years. We freely share our insights with our customers. The earlier in the process you allow us to be involved, the better our opportunity to help. Below is a compilation of observations and generalities about material selection that some designers find useful.
Click here for a large printer friendly version.Material Selection Comparison Table
| 1=Weaker 10=Stronger Tensile Strength |
1=Weaker 10=Tough Impact Resistance |
1=Soft 10=Hard Surface Hardness |
1=Rigid 10+=Rubber Flexibility |
1=Poor 10=Excellent Chemical Resistance |
Max Contin. /Op. Temp |
UV Resistance* |
FDA/NSF Compliance & Notes |
1=Less Expensive 10=Very Expensive Cost |
|
| Polypropylene | 3 | 1 - 2 | 7 | 7 - 8 | 8 | 160 | Fair | FDA UL | 1 |
| No-Break Polypropylene |
2 | No Break | 4 | 7 - 8 | 8 | 160 | Fair | FDA | 1 - 2 |
| Glass-filled Polypropylene |
5 | 1 | 7 | 4 - 5 | 8 | 180 | Fair | 3 | |
| Talo-filled PP | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 - 6 | 8 | 180 | Fair | USP Class IV, FDA-21 |
1 - 2 |
| HD Polyethylene | 3 | 1 | 4 - 5 | 7 | 10 | 180 | Fair | FDA | 1 - 2 |
| LD Polyethylene | 1 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 160 | Fair | 1 - 2 | ||
| ABS | 3 - 4 | 4 | 7 - 8 | 6 | 3 | 160 | Poor | NSF | 1 - 2 |
| PC/ABS Blend | 5 - 6 | 4 - 5 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 190 | Fair | 5 - 6 | |
| PC (Polycarbonate) |
6 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 250 | Poor | Food | 4 - 5 |
| Acetal (PCM) | 3 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 180 | Poor | 3 | |
| Glass-filled Acetal |
9 - 10 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 180 | Poor | 5 - 6 | |
| Acrylic | 5 - 6 | 1 | 9 - 10 | 4 - 5 | 5 | 265 | Good | FDA | 4 |
| Polystyrene | 2 | 1 - 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 160 | Fair | FDA | 1 - 2 |
| SB | 2 - 3 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 160 | Fair | FDA | 2 | |
| Nylon** | 4 - 6 | 1 - 8 | 4 - 9 | 5 - 7 | 8 | 149 - 295 | Poor to Fair | 3 - 10 | |
| Glass-filled Nylon | 10 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 220 | Poor | 8 | |
| PBT | 5 | 1 - 2 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 275 | Fair | 5 | |
| Glass-filled PBT | 10 | 1 - 2 | 9 | 1 | 7 | Fair | 5 | ||
| Polyurethane Rigid |
4 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 7 | Fair | NSF | 9 | |
| Polyurethane Soft |
2 | No Break | 1 | 1 | Fair | 9 | |||
| TPE | 1 | No Break | 1 | 10+ | 6 | Fair | 5 | ||
| SEBS | 1 | No Break | 2 | 10+ | 5 | Fair | 6 - 7 | ||
| Ether-Ester | 4 | No Break | 1 | 9 | 6 | Fair | FDA Mult Automotive |
2 | |
| Poyether Irnide (Ultern) |
9 - 10 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 340 | Excellent | FDA | 10 |
*UV Resistance is stated for the BASE RESIN. Improved UV performance is often possible through UV Stabilization Additives.
**Nylon is a classification of material that includes a wide range of grades with a wide range of properties. Please contact us to discuss the best grade of Nylon for your project.
Selecting the best material for your product often involves a series of trade-offs between strength, impact resistance, flexibility, heat, UV resistance, and price. For instance, you may know that you need a strong material, but many of those break easily if impacted. You may want to know the best material alternatives that combine part strength with resistance to chemical attack. Perhaps you need to consider the least expensive material to meet your minimum design needs. To help in this decision process, we offer this Material Selection Comparison table.
