Type-Trade Name | Abbreviation | Density-gram/cm3 | Description & Application |
Acetal | POM | 1.42 | Natural – opaque white, very tough, low – medium cost. |
Delrin/Hostaform/Lucel | – | – | Gears and bearing; taps and aerosol valves. |
Acrylic | PMMA | 1.18 | Transparent and brittle, low – medium cost. |
Diakon/Oroglas/Plexiglas | – | – | Lenses; car light housings and reflectors. |
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | ABS | 1.06 | Natural opaque and tough, low – medium cost. |
Cycolac/Magnum/Novodur/Terluran | – | – | Telephone handsets and vacuum cleaner housings. |
Cellulose Acetate | CA | 1.2 | Transparent, tough, from flexible to rigid, high cost. |
Dexel/Cellidor/Setilithe | – | – | Spectacles frames and screwdriver handles. |
Polyamide 6 (Nylon) | PA6 | 1.14 | Almost opaque / white, very tough, medium – high cost. |
Akulon/Ultramid/Grilon | – | – | Bushes, bearings, curtain runners & combs. |
Polyamide 6.6 (Nylon) | PA6.6 | 1.14 | Almost opaque / white, rigid & tough, medium – high cost. |
Kopa/Zytel/Radilon | – | – | Levers, housings, handles etc. |
Polyamide 11+12 (Nylon) | PA11+12 | 1.18 | Opaque to clear, rigid & tough, very high cost. |
Rilsan/Grilamid | – | – | Air filters, safety masks, spectacle frames etc. |
Polyester – Thermoplastic | PBT | 1.42 | Rigid & stable, medium – high cost. |
Celanex/Crastin & Lupox/Rynite | PET | 1.34 | Electrical sockets, housings and parts. |
Polycarbonate | PC | 1.2 | Transparent, very tough and resilient, high cost. |
Calibre/Lexan/Makrolon | – | – | Street lamp covers and safety helmets. |
Polyethylene – Low Density | LDPE | 0.92 | Natural waxy appearance, tough & flexible, low cost. |
Alkathene/Escorene/Novex | – | – | Kitchenware and many sealing lids & closures. |
Polyethylene – High Density | HDPE | 0.96 | Natural waxy appearance, tough & stiff, low cost. |
Eraclene/Hostalen/Stamylan | – | – | Chair seats and milk crates. |
Polyether Sulphone | PES | 1.37 | Clear, tough, v.high chemical resistance+cost. |
Victrex/Udel | – | – | Valve seat linings, metal replacement parts etc. |
Polypropylene | PP | 0.91 | Natural waxy appearance; tough & stiff, low cost. |
Novolen/Appryl/Escorene | – | – | Beer crates and spade handles. |
Polyphenylene Oxide | PPO | 1.07 | Tough & stable, high cost. |
Noryl/Thermocomp/Vamporan | – | – | Electrical parts requiring tight tolerances. |
Polyphenylene Sulphide | PPS | 1.65 | Brown, v.good heat resist., v.high strength+cost |
Ryton/Fortron | – | – | Fuel system parts, guides, bearings etc. |
Polystyrene – General Purpose | GPPS | 1 | Transparent and brittle, low cost. |
Lacqrene/Styron/Solarene | – | – | Cosmetics packaging and ball-point barrel pens. |
Polystyrene – High Impact | HIPS | 1.05 | Natural translucent and tough, low cost. |
Polystyrol/Kostil/Polystar | – | – | Food containers; cotton reels; toys – model kits. |
Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride | UPVC | 1.4 | Transparent to opaque; tough, low cost. |
Polycol/Trosiplast | – | – | Outdoor applications – gutters, drainpipes & fittings. |
Plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride | PVC | 1.3 | Transparent to opaque; tough & flexible, low cost. |
Welvic/Varlan | – | – | Shoe soles and electrical insulation. |
Styrene Acrylonitrile | SAN | 1.07 | Transparent and brittle, low cost. |
Luran/Arpylene/Starex | – | – | Table and picnicware. |
Thermoplastic Elastomer/Rubber | TPE/R | 1.1 | Tough & flexible, high cost. |
Hytrel/Santoprene/Sarlink | – | – | Electrically insulated parts, seals, bushes & washers. |