Plastics

Polyethylene (PE) is the world's most common plastic, a versatile and durable polymer known for its chemical resistance and ability to be formulated into forms ranging from flexible films to rigid, high-strength structures. This adaptability makes it essential for countless products, including everyday items like plastic bags and milk jugs, as well as high-performance applications like medical implants and ballistic armor.

Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile and durable thermoplastic known for its exceptional chemical resistance, high melting point, and ability to be repeatedly sterilized. These properties make it a go-to material for a vast range of products, from autoclavable medical equipment and automotive components to tough, reusable food containers and carpeting.

PVC is a durable, low-cost, and incredibly versatile thermoplastic that can be formulated to be either rigid and strong or soft and highly flexible.1 This dual nature makes it one of the most widely used plastics in the world, essential for rigid applications like construction pipes and window frames, as well as flexible uses such as electrical cable insulation and medical IV bags.2

PEEK is one of the highest-performing thermoplastics in the world, offering an extraordinary combination of mechanical strength, chemical inertness, and resistance to extreme temperatures. This elite set of properties makes it a go-to metal replacement in the most demanding fields, used for critical components like spinal fusion cages and aerospace parts that must endure harsh conditions.

PEI, known by the trade name ULTEM, is a high-performance, amber-colored, transparent thermoplastic renowned for its exceptional strength, rigidity, and ability to withstand high temperatures. Its inherent flame retardancy and capacity to endure repeated steam sterilization make it a top choice for critical components in the aerospace, medical, and electronics industries.

PPSU, known by the trade name Radel, is a high-performance thermoplastic celebrated for its superior impact strength and exceptional resistance to repeated, harsh sterilization methods like steam autoclaving. This outstanding durability makes it a premier material for reusable surgical instruments, sterilization trays, and aircraft interior components that demand extreme toughness and hygiene.

PSU, commonly known by the trade name Udel, is a rigid, semi-transparent thermoplastic prized for its excellent thermal stability and ability to maintain its structure when exposed to continuous hot water and steam. This outstanding hydrolytic stability makes it a top choice for components requiring repeated steam sterilization, such as medical instruments and food processing equipment, as well as for water treatment membranes.

POM Acetal is a high-strength engineering thermoplastic renowned for its exceptional stiffness, dimensional stability, and naturally low-friction, self-lubricating properties. This unique combination makes it a top choice for manufacturing precision mechanical components like gears, bearings, and conveyor parts that require high performance without lubrication.

PA, commonly known as Nylon, Nylon 6, and Nylon 6/6, is a highly versatile and durable engineering thermoplastic prized for its exceptional toughness, high tensile strength, and low-friction, wear-resistant properties. Originally developed as a fiber for textiles like clothing and ropes, its strength and self-lubricating nature also make it a top choice for manufacturing robust mechanical parts such as gears, bearings, and automotive engine components.

PTFE, known as Teflon, is a dense, highly inert plastic known for its unmatched chemical resistance and low-friction surface, while ePTFE is an expanded, microporous version that is soft and breathable. PTFE is commonly machined into robust seals, gaskets, and electrical insulators, whereas the biocompatible and flexible nature of ePTFE makes it a premier material for medical implants, surgical sutures, and waterproof, breathable membranes