Author: Team ClickPlastics

Polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) is a semi-crystalline plastic characterized by very high heat resistance, high chemical resistance & stiffness, and extremely low setting behavior during climate changes. Fiberglass, as well as carbon and aramid fibers, are primarily used to reinforce PPS. Calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, kaolin, mica, talc, or quartz are all used as fillers. Filling levels of up to 70 mass percent are possible.

Characteristic features:

High temperature resistance

Good chemical resistance, stiffness, strength

Good creep resistance at higher temperatures

Applications:

The products are widely used to replace conventional technical

materials, such as metals, thermosets, and ceramic materials in a wide range of

applications (automotive, construction, electrical & electronic components, consumer

& household appliances).

The polypropylene (PP) properties are determined by the molecular structure (chain length of the polymers, lateral arrangement of the methyl groups in the polymer chain).  It demonstrates, in particular, a high strength at low specific weight.   PP can be filled with mineral fillers such as talc, chalk, or glass fibers. This significantly expands the range of mechanical properties (stiffness, operating temperatures, etc.).

Characteristic Features:

Higher strength, hardness, rigidity, and impact strength in comparison to polyethylene.

Glass transition temperature of 0° C – 10° C, which causes brittleness in cold temperatures. The upper glass transition temperature falls between 100° C and 110° C. The crystallite melting range is 160° C – 165° C.

Water resistant.

Resistant against almost all organic solvents (but swelling is possible) and fats, as well as most acids and alkalis.

Due to its low surface energy, it does not respond well to bonding and printing.

PP is odorless and skin-friendly, it is physiologically safe.

Applications:

Areas of application include the automobile sector, where glass fiber reinforced PP types are often used.  In the construction sector, it is used for valves, fittings, piping, and profiles.  In ventilation and climate-control technology, flame-retardant PP types are often used.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic technically engineered plastic from the polyester group, which is produced by polycondensation.

PET has excellent mechanical strength, demonstrates low deformation, has low water absorption, and is the ideal material for highly stressed sliding applications.

Characteristic features:

Temperature resistant, continuous operating temperature -20°C – +115°C

Excellent stiffness, very high strength and hardness

Excellent friction characteristics (also in wet and humid conditions)

Very high resistance to wear and tear

Constant low sliding friction, very low wear due to sliding action

Very low water absorption (saturation at 0,5%)

Very low thermal expansion

Good creep resistance

Excellent dimensional stability

Good electric insulation properties

Good resistance against weak acids, alkalis, salt solutions, oils, and fuels

Applications:

Mechanical engineering, automotive, electronics & electrical engineering, construction, fiber & clothing, packaging & bottles.

 

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is a semi-crystalline, thermoplastic, saturated polyester and is used as a material for highly stressed technical parts in many industrial sectors.

This material is available with the following modifications: injection and extrusion types, unreinforced, glass-fiber reinforced, glass bead filled, mineral filled, flame retardant, and elastomer modified. Special grades have been approved for products that will come into contact with food items.

Our product range also includes various blends: PBT/ABS, PBT/ASA, PBT/PC, PBT/PET, PBT/SAN, PBT/TPEE.

Characteristic features:

High stiffness and strength

Very good dimensional stability in heat

Low water absorption

Good chemical resistance

Excellent weather resistance

Excellent thermal aging

Applications:

Automotive, fiber production, plumbing, electrical engineering & electronics, as well as compounding.

Polystyrene is a highly used commodity plastic and is ranked fourth in global production volume after PE, PP, and PVC.

HIPS is a high-impact resistant polystyrene, which has been modified by rubber.

Characteristic features:

Hard amorphous polystyrene is crystal-clear, hard, brittle, and sensitive to impact.  It generates a rattling, glass-like sound when struck.  Polystyrene may be dyed to match any color choice.  In foamed form, it has a white opaque color and, in comparison to solid polystyrene, lower mechanical strength but higher flexibility.

HIPS is usually not transparent due to butadiene content, but it is more impact and cold resistant.

Applications:

PS is used for packaging (e.g. foils, yoghurt cups, cases), disposable cutlery, switches, and coil bodies.

HIPS is mainly used in the consumer electronics sector for televisions, phones, and PC-housing units. Thermoforming is used to produce the inner linings of refrigerators with HIPS.

Acrylonitrile styrene acrylic ester (ASA) is an impact-resistant terpolymer. It has similar properties to ABS, but is more weather resistant.

If required, suitable additives for the respective application are incorporated into the plastic matrix. UV stabilizers, antioxidants, and lubricants are to be mentioned here.

Characteristic features:

ASA produces high-quality, glossy, scratch-resistant surfaces, we well as transparent surfaces if required.  Through the use of matting agents or larger acrylic phases, matt surfaces are also possible.

ASA has an excellent chemical resistance due to the high polarity of acrylic components, especially when compared to polybutadiene components found within ABS.  The material demonstrates high resistance towards aqueous mediums, including diluted acids & alkalis, detergents & oils/fats, alcohols, and aliphatic hydrocarbons.

Applications:

ASA is often used for weather-resistant building components, as well as for electrical appliances that require a high temperature resistance.  This material demonstrates long-term durability when used for sport and recreational applications, as well as for exterior automobile parts.

Styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) is a copolymer made from styrene and acrylonitrile. SAN has properties similar to polystyrene and is transparent and relatively stiff. A typical composition consists of 70% styrene and 30% acrylonitrile.  SAN has higher strength, thermal resistance, chemical resistance, and scratch resistance in comparison with polystyrene.

Characteristic features:

Transparent and translucent

Good chemical resistance

Scratch resistant

Thermal resistant

Relatively low water absorption

Applications:

Glazing for industrial doors, sectional doors & shower cubicles

Kitchen supplies (salad bowls & cutlery, measuring cups, parts for kitchen machines)

Refrigerator inserts

Compounding

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS), as an amorphous thermoplastic is a synthetic terpolymer (terpolymers are copolymers made out of three monomers, being statistically distributed in the linear macromolecule) from the monomers of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrol.

Large scale production of ABS can be done by graft polymerization, as well as through the blending of the polymers.

Characteristic features:

Good chemical resistance

Good mechanical and acoustical noise absorption behavior

High impact and notched impact strength

Easy coloring process for all types of color

Metal plating and galvanizing

Low water absorption

Applications:

Toys, household goods industry, automotive, sanitary applications, compounding.

Polyethylene (HD-PE) is a competitively priced thermoplastic that is characterized by good UV resistance, physiological safety, and good chemical resistance. The material is easily recycled due to its simple molecular structure.

PE is classified in strength classes according to ISO 9080 (PE 80, PE 100) in plastic pipe construction. PE 100 materials are produced by a modified polymerization process (bimodal Hostalen Process), through which a modified molecular mass distribution is demonstrated. This achieves higher density and also improves mechanical properties, such as increased stiffness and hardness. All pipes that may be used for drinking water are tested and categorized according to ISO 4427 and EN 12201.  We also offer chlorine-resistant materials that prevent oxidative degradation, which lengthens the service life of the finished products.

Characteristic features:

Physiologically harmless (suitable for drinking water), weather & UV resistant, temperature resistant from -40°C to +50°C, good chemical resistance, very good abrasion resistance,  leak-free & flexible pipe connections due to good weldability.

Applications:

Gas & water supply, sanitation, cooling & service lines, production lines, and industrial pipelines.

Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene

UHMWPE are PE types with molecular weights ranging between 1 million g/mol to 10 million g/mol. Standard types are used in the range of 3-5 million g/mol. As the molecular weight increases, wear resistance and impact resistance improve.

PE-UHMW shows the most balanced qualities of all polyethylenes and offers a very good impact resistance even at temperatures as low as negative 200°C.

Characteristic Features:

Best wear resistance of all technical plastics at room temperature, very low friction coefficients,

best sliding properties, very good tension crack resistance, noise reduction, UV resistance.

Applications:

Protective devices, lining technology, general mechanical engineering, conveyor technology, medical technology, protective clothing, sports & leisure supplies.

Processing:

Due to the high molecular weight, the material viscosity also increases, so that PE-UHMW can usually only be processed by either RAM extrusion or pressure sintering. As a result, semi-finished products can be further processed with very low-stress. We are currently working together with our partner, IRPC, to develop a UHMWPE granulate type suitable for injection molding.