Material selection for plastic extrusion - Knowledge - Dachang Plastic Hardware Processing Factory

We buy all our materials from the best quality sources and are always trialling new extrusion materials. View our materials selection table below to select the best material to meet your requirements.

Material Type	Specific Gravity	Softening Temp °C	Properties	Typical Uses
UPVC (Rigid PVC extrusions)	1.4 – 1.6	65 – 75	Extremely versatile Wide range of colours and grades (including clear grades) Indoor and outdoor use Food grades available Low cost	Windows, tubes, trunking, shrouds, glazing, cladding, trims, packaging, inserts, ticketing strips, toys, point of sale, tile edge trims, crack inducers
Cellular PVC extrusion	0.6 – 0.9	65 – 75	Extremely light in weight Can be produced with or without skin Indoor or outdoor use Low cost Can be nailed	Building and window products (i.e. cladding, skirting, architraves etc), finishing trims, wood replacement applications
PVC (flexible PVC extrusion)	1.2 – 1.6	–	Various softness up to semi-rigid Wide range of colours and grades plus clear Used mainly indoors, some external use Filled or unfilled grades available Low cost	Hosing, gaskets, seals, fenders, pelmets, bumpers, handrails, sleeves, straps, trims, ‘T’ barbed edging strips, water stops, medical tubing
ABS	1.0 – 1.2	85 – 105	Clear grades Good high and low temperature performance Good adhesive properties Mainly internal use Most grades are food approved Good rigidity and chemical resistance High impact, medium cost Fire resistant grades available	Water transfer tubing Cold rooms Freezer cabinets Toys
ASA	1.0 – 1.2	85 – 105	Good high and low temperature performance Good UV resistance Good adhesive properties Good rigidity and chemical resistance Good weather resistance High impact, medium cost	Panels Ventilation components Automotive components Marine Signage
H.I.P (Polystyrene) Styrosun (Outdoor grade)	1.0	70 – 75	Mostly used indoors Some external use Good adhesive properties Range of colours also clear grades available Medium cost Fire resistant grades available Outdoor grades	Toys Light diffusers Point of sale Film cores
POLYETHYLENE High and low density	0.97 (HD) 0.91 (LD)	65	Good resistance to chemical environments Used indoors and outdoors Good low temperature performance Low toxicity levels, low cost, tough Low smoke, zero halogen grades available	Toys, water and gas pipe, tubes, packaging, protective trims
POLYPROPYLENE Homo-polymer and co-polymer	0.90	90	Good resistance to chemical environments Extremely tough but the co-polymer hinges well Good high temperature performance Mainly indoor but some external use Low toxicity levels, LSOH grades available Bio-degradable, low cost Homo-polymer is clearer and stiffer	Non load bearing hinges, toys, tubing, protective plant and tree sleeves, oil pump tubes
PETG	1.27	75	Food approved High clarity High impact Medium cost UV stable grades available	Packaging tubes, point of sale, card shelves, menu holders, electronic component carrier tubes
IMPACT ACRYLIC STANDARD ACRYLIC	1.20	80	High clarity Good impact resistance Medium cost Good light transmission	Point of sale, card shelves, menu holders, lighting applications
POLYCARBONATE	1.20	120	Good high temperature performance Extremely strong Wide range of grades available including U.V. stabilised and superior flame retardant grades Clear and opaque grades availableHigher cost Limited chemical resistance	Light diffusers, low voltage light tubes for marking and directing applications Roof trims Light box
PC/ABS ALLOYS	1.2	110	Good high temperature performance Superior flame retardant properties Reasonable chemical resistance	Electrical shrouds Profiles that call for superior flame retardance
NYLON 6	1.2	85	Many grades available Cheapest nylon Good fatigue resistance Some moisture pick-up Low friction and wear properties	Automotive applications Pump immersion tubes for Barrels Pneumatic airline tubing for machinery, Rods, Tubing
Nylon 66	1.14	110	Very good chemical resistance Very stiff and tough Good for irradiation Engineering grades Low coefficient of friction Low wear	Machined parts and articles Some Profiles Rods
Nylon 11	1.03	125	Very good chemical resistance Very good high and low temperature performance Very good ageing resistance Good dimensional resistance Good fatigue resistance Very low coefficient of friction Very low permeability Very low moisture pick–up Degree of clarity	Fuel, oil and gas lines Air brake hosing Catheters Hydraulic hoses Automotive Textiles
Nylon 12	1.01	100	Huge range of grades Low moisture pick-up Low co-efficient of friction Good dimensional stability Good ageing resistance Good oil resistance Low specific gravity Fire resistant grades	Cable sheathing Pneumatic tubing Air brake hosing
PPO/PS Blends (Noryl and Lurynal)	1.1	100	Good high temp performance Good dielectric strength Wide range of grades Limited colours Fire resistant grades Good chemical resistance Low smoke zero halogen grades	Electrical shrouds Busbar covers Automotive profiles
TPE (SBS & SEBS)	0.9 – 1.2	–	Wide range of grades and hardness Including clear grades Co-extrudes to HIPS & polypropylene Replaces flexible PVC Medical uses Good recovery Good cold set	Tubing, straps Labels Door seals
TPV (EPDM Rubber & Polypropylene)	1.0	125	Good temperature performance Good range of grades & hardness Goods recovery Good cold set Drinking water grades	Peristaltic pumps Drinking water tubing
TPU (Polyurethane)	1.1	–	Polyether & polyester type Co-extrudes to rigid PVC Mainly harder grades Good recovery Good wear & tear properties Dynamic applications Good clarity Fire resistant grades Good tube bend grades Drinking water grades	Pneumatic tubing Medical tubing Marine and underwater applications
EVA	–	–	Good recovery Range of hardness Good clarity	Crane and Railway pads Gaskets, Labels, Tubing Medical Tubing Anti-vibration pads
MPR (Alcryn)	–	–	Melt processable rubber Co-extrudes to UPVC & ABS Good cold set and recovery Available in black and white	Door seals Tubing Co-extrusions
Acetal	1.4	105	Low Friction High Stiffness Excellent Dimensional Stability Resistance to Fuels Good Chemical resistance	Bindings Rods Fasteners Bra Bones Hood Stiffeners Tubes
PBT	1.45	125	Good Chemical Resistance Electrical Insulator Low Moisture Absorption Good Dimensional Stability	Electrical Covers Motor Covers Tubes Automotive Parts Engineering Parts