Technical plastics

Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate is an amorphous rigid thermoplastic, a variant of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), but it achieves better properties (up to 10 times more) in terms of weather resistance. This is due to the absence of double bonds, which enhances its mechanical strength as well as UV resistance. In addition, it has higher long-term heat resistance and better chemical resistance.

Furthermore, it retains the main characteristics of ABS, is resistant and rigid, has a low thermal conductivity coefficient, and cannot be lacquered. Its applications also include thermal bridge breaks, as well as for all the main industrial areas: automotive, machinery, electronics, construction, etc.

Its resistance to cracking due to environmental stress places it as one of the main options for outdoor solutions (cars, facades, naval sector, outdoor furniture, etc.).

ASA characteristics:

• Low thermal conductivity coefficient.
• Good impact resistance.
• Good resistance to UV radiation.
• Resistant to corrosion and most chemicals.
• Dimensional stability due to its low water absorption.
• Stiffness, hardness and toughness even at low temperatures.
• High resistance to abrasion.
• High resistance to cracking due to environmental stress.

ASA applications:

• All kinds of parts through the injection process. Almost any geometry can be manufactured; ABS replacement is recommended for applications with high temperatures or high sunlight exposure.
• Injected thermal bridge break components that are not to be lacquered.

High density polyethylene is a thermoplastic whose main quality is its high strength-density ratio. It is structurally composed of ethylene monomers, the same as low density polyethylene (LDPE), but with less branching, which strengthens the intermolecular forces and consequently the tensile strength of the material. Its density, 0.94 g/cm3, is not much higher than that of LDPE despite what their names may suggest, but it is the absence of branching that marks the differences.

HDPE has a very high specific strength, is hard, opaque, and can withstand temperatures up to 120ºC for short periods of time. It is resistant to many solvents, so it cannot be bonded by chemicals (chemical resistance), it can only be bonded by thermofusion welding.

Its low friction coefficient and shiny finish give it a very soft touch, for these reasons it is often found in water pipeline and drainage applications.

Characteristics of high density polyethylene:

• High strength, over a wide range of temperatures.
• Very high specific strength.
• Impermeable to gases and liquids.
• Minimal water absorption.
• High chemical resistance.
• Surface finish with low friction coefficient.

Applications of high density polyethylene:

• Parts that require a low friction surface finish or soft touch.
• Impermeable parts that will be in contact with all kinds of fluids.
• Packaging for chemicals as they do not deteriorate.

Neoprene is the trade name of chlorobutadiene or chloroprene synthetic rubber. It is a material with good chemical stability, with excellent resistance to degradation due to the sun (UV resistance), and is resistant to ozone and climate. The most common hardness of this material usually ranges between 60 ShA and 70 ShA. It has a density range around 1.48 g/cm3. It is a very elastic and flexible material that also has good flame resistance. Our extruded joints are certified as a level B-s2, d0, according to UNE-EN 13501:2007+A1:2010. One of the main attractions of chloroprene rubber is its ability to resist damage caused by bending and torsion.

Characteristics

• Excellent resistance to climate, ozone and UV radiation.
• Good chemical resistance.
• High resistance to bending and torsion.
• Very good thermal insulation.
• High return from deformation by traction and compression.

Single-component applications:

• Fire-fighting systems.
• All kinds of dynamic joints such as hinged, central.
• All kinds of static joints such as glazing joints, wedges, U-shaped for glazing.
• Joints for windows.
• Industrial joints.

Nitrile rubber is a copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene. It is a synthetic rubber characterized by its good resistance to oils and hydrocarbon-based chemicals. This makes it an ideal material for those seals that are going to be used in parts for machinery or engines. The most common hardness of this material usually ranges between 60 ShA and 70 ShA. It has a density range around 1.50 g/cm3. It is a material with mechanical characteristics of elastomers. Its ozone resistance is low, its conductivity is high, but it has good resistance to abrasion and heat.

Characteristics of nitrile rubber:

• Resistance to oils and hydrocarbons.
• Excellent resistance to high temperatures.
• Good adhesion to steel.
• They resist acids (except oxidizers).
• They resist alkalis and salts.
• Low permeability to air and natural gas, propane and butane.
• High conductivity.

Applications of nitrile rubber for injection:

• Sealing gaskets or components for all types of machines or systems.

Applications of nitrile rubber in single-component extrusion:

• Gaskets in motors.
• Automotive joints.
• Machinery joints.
• Joints in contact with greases and oils.
• Industrial joints

Silicone rubber is a synthetic elastomer characterized by its high resistance to temperature and UV rays. The most common hardness of this material is usually 70 ShA. It has a density range around 1.30 g/cm3. Silicone rubber is the most elastic and flexible rubber. It has excellent resistance to polar solvents, silicone putties, ozone, UV rays and wear. It is an easy rubber to colour, and can even be manufactured with translucent finish. Being a flame resistant material it is ideal for fire-fighting systems.

The temperature range for use of silicones ranges from -40ºC to 200ºC continuously.

Characteristics of silicone rubber:

• Resistant to extreme temperatures.
• Great resistance to compression deformation.
• High chemical resistance and good fire resistance.
• Resistant to weathering, ozone and humidity.
• Long service life.
• Colour according to RAL chart.

Applications of silicone rubber for injection:

• Gaskets or elastic components for all types of machines or systems.

Applications of mono-component silicone rubber:

• Gaskets for solar panels.
• Gaskets for fire-fighting systems.
• Industrial joints.
• Joints for steel doors.
• All kinds of dynamic joints such as hinged, central.
• All kinds of static joints such as glazing joints, wedges, U-shaped for glazing.
• Gaskets for ovens.
• LED diffusers.

It is a vulcanized thermoplastic. A mixture between a thermoplastic material and a rubber capable of internal vulcanizing. Its commonly used hardness is usually 60 ShA, but it is available across the entire range of the ShA hardness scale. It has a density range around 0.98 g/cm3. TPV has a smoother surface than TPE, which gives it excellent wear resistance and still retains very good properties for dynamic joint behaviour. In co-extrusion it is usually combined with polypropylene. In injection we frequently work with it in all types of hardness, since it has very good characteristics for the manufacture of parts that suffer constant deformations. Its temperature range can go from -50ºC to 110ºC, making this the ideal thermoplastic to use for extreme temperature applications.

TPV characteristics:

• Wide scale of hardness available.
• Resistance in a very wide fork of temperatures.
• Highly resistant to abrasion.
• Soft touch.
• Color according to RAL letter.

TPV applications for injection:

• All kinds of parts or elastic components: Cleats, squares, bumpers, etc.

Applications of Single-component TPV:

• Joints for steel doors.
• Dynamic joints as hinged, central.
• Static joints such as glazing joints, wedges, U-shaped for glazing.
• Joints for shutter guides.
• Gaskets for refrigerators.
• Joints for solar panels.
• Cover joints for decorative conduit.

TPV applications in co-extrusion/tri-extrusion:

• Window joints that are inserted by machine.
• End of shutters.
• Joints for sliding systems co-extruded or tri-extruded with polyethylene
• Joints for wood systems in dark tones.
• Window guides that are inserted in the channel.

It is a thermoplastic polymer, with a foamy texture, formed by the combination of ethylene and vinyl acetate monomers, in varying percentages depending on the grade. It is a very versatile material, with numerous industrial applications. In the doors and windows sector it is usually used for extrusion joints of very low hardness, transparent for indoor use, or films. It has low water absorption, is easy to handle (lightweight), easy to cut, and is recyclable.

Characteristics of EVA:

• Resistance to low temperatures.
• Resistance to water.
• Resistance to UV radiation.
• Ozone resistance.
• Glassy finish.

Applications of single-component EVA:

• Static joints such as glazing joints, wedges, U-shaped for glazing.

Applications of co-extrusion/tri-extrusion:

• Joints with peel-off strip.

Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic with high transparency (89% transmittance), which allows it be used in countless applications in the industry. It also stands out due to its high impact resistance, dimensional stability, V2 flammability without the use of additives, as well as excellent scratch resistance. In extrusion it is not the material that we work with the most, but due to its transparency properties, we have made profiles for LED diffusers, for example. In Injection we also manufacture components that take advantage of the properties of this material, but the majority of its applications take advantage of its transparency capacity. The density of polycarbonate is 1.2 g/cm3, it has minimal shrinkage (0.6-0.8%), and resists chemical attacks except for strong acids, bleaches or benzene.

Characteristics of polycarbonate:

• High transparency.
• High impact resistance.
• Dimensional stability.
• Scratch resistance.
• Good chemical resistance.
• Resistant to thermal deformation.
• Low resistance to UV rays.

Polycarbonate applications:

• Parts for any sector that require a transparent/translucent finish.
• Components that require high strength regardless of their fragility.
• Parts for the electronics and electro-technical sector.

The copolymer of butylene terephthalate and polyalkylene-ether glycol in a commercial industrial material, belongs to the family of polyester thermoplastic elastomers. It is a resin developed for the automotive industry, both for moulding and extrusion, in the search for better properties for those components that are exposed on the outside of the vehicle. Its density is 1.14-1.27 g/ cm3, and its melting temperature is between 150 and 225ºC. It can be coloured, and has good chemical resistance, except against strong acids and oxidizing agents.

Characteristics:

• Good resistance to environmental exposure.
• Ease of manufacture both by injection and extrusion compared to other plastics.
• Wide range of working temperatures.
• It can be coloured.
• Good chemical resistance.

Some of its applications are:

• Parts for any sector that require environmental stability when exposed (automotive, architecture, aeronautics, naval, etc..)

Noryl is an amorphous thermoplastic, a modified resin formed by amorphous mixtures of resins together with styrene. These resins are either polyphenylene oxides or polyphenylene ethers. It has high heat resistance, as well as some electrical insulation capacity, although electrostatic powder coating is possible. It has excellent dimensional stability, ease of manufacture and processing, as well as low density. On the other hand, it can be sensitive in the presence of many organic liquids to environmental stress cracking. Its chemical resistance does not withstand contact with substances such as gasoline, kerosene or similar compounds that can cause cracking.

Characteristics of Noryl:

• Possibility of electrostatic powder coating.
• Ease of manufacture both by injection and extrusion compared to other plastics.
• Risk of environmental cracking.
• Great dimensional stability.
• Good chemical resistance.

Some of the applications of Noryl are:

• Parts for any sector that need to be powder coated.

Polyketone is a material in the high performance thermoplastic polymers family. It offers excellent mechanical properties, as it has a very high resistance to impacts, abrasion, and wear. Its chemical resistance is also remarkable, as well as its high viscosity, and dimensional stability. Its field of application covers those scenarios in which high wear resistance is necessary, as well as high precision: Industrial environments in general, automotive, aerospace, naval industries etc.

Features: Polyketone:

• High impact resistance.
• High resistance to abrasion and wear.
• Great dimensional stability.
• Good chemical resistance.

Some of the applications of polyketone are:

• Parts for any sector that require high resistance to abrasion and wear, maintaining dimensional precision: Mechanisms, bearings, bushings, etc..

It is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer that stands out for its insulating properties. In addition, it is very resistant to temperature, stable up to 150ºC, as well as resistant to solvents. It has high hardness and rigidity. Compared to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) it has lower strength and stiffness, but slightly higher impact resistance. It is flammable, although it can be treated with flame retardants, and degrades in the presence of UV rays, which does not make it suitable for exterior applications exposed to sunlight, despite resisting very well to the weathering. The real interest of this material lies in those cases in which its insulating characteristic is of vital importance: Electronics, electricity and components for equipment that work with electrical circuits.

Characteristics of PBT:

• It provides a high degree of thermal and electrical insulation.
• Good resistance to impact.
• Low resistance to UV rays if not protected.
• Good weather resistance.

Some of the applications of PBT are:

• Parts for electrical / electronic systems: Housings, switches, connectors in general, mouldings of car headlights, etc.
• Production of masterbach (colourants).
• Manufacture of bristles for brushes with filaments.

Polystyrene is a thermoplastic polymer that has various types. In injection, the one used is known as “crystal”, which has a transparent solid finish, which has a high hardness, but also a high fragility. The main attraction of polystyrene is its insulating character, along with its surface brightness and dimensional stability. Its density is 1.05 g/cm3, and it can work up to about 100ºC. It is sensitive to UV, and also suffers from fatigue breakage. Chemically resists fats, oils, saline solutions or alcohols, but does not withstand contact with benzene, gasoline or solvents.

Polystyrene characteristics:

• It offers a high degree of thermal and electrical insulation.
• High hardness but fragile.
• Low resistance to UV rays.
• It suffers from fatigue breakage.
• Limited chemical resistance.

Some of the applications of polystyrene are:

• Parts for electrical / electronic systems: housings, components, etc.
• For components of lighting systems due to its transparency: lamps, housings, covers, etc.

Methacrylate is a technical plastic obtained by polymerization of methyl methacrylate. Its properties make it share applications with polystyrene (PS) and polycarbonate (PC), since they are also transparent plastics with similar characteristics. Compared to those, methacrylate is more resistant to weather, more transparent and has greater resistance to scratching. Its density is 1.18 g/ cm3, it has remarkable dimensional stability, and its optical properties are among the best of transparent plastics (92%). It is dielectric, hard but fragile, and its chemical resistance is limited (it does not withstand acids, acetones, hydrocarbons, etc.). It has very good resistance to UV rays, but is susceptible to fatigue breakage.

Characteristics of methacrylate:

• The greatest transparency of plastics.
• Hard, but low impact resistance (fragile).
• Very good resistance to UV rays.
• Susceptible to fatigue breakage.
• Good weather resistance.

Some of the applications of methacrylate are:

• Parts for all kinds of uses and sectors that require high transparency, both for indoor and outdoor.

In addition to all these materials, we can also mix with them different types of additives and fillers to improve some of their properties, or simply give them a different appearance. Some of these additives have already been cited for their frequent combination with some of the materials on the list, but we can extend their application to the rest of the list by studying the case and manufacturing process.

The main additives available are:

• Fiberglass filler.
• Mineral filler.
• Thermally and electrically conductive additives.
• Metal fillers.
• Masterbach dyes.
• Wood fillers.
• Fire retardant additives.