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Materials List (Alloys We Use)

This selector or guide is intended to help review the needs of your particular application and determine a few material candidates that can be tested.

aluminium-alloy-2024-500x500.jpg

Aluminum Alloys

Corrosion Resistance, High Strength-to-Weight Ratio, Temperature Resistance

Grade

Tensile (psi)

  • Alloy 1100

  • Alloy 2011

  • Alloy 2014

  • Alloy 2024

  • Alloy 3003

  • Alloy 5052

  • Alloy 6061

  • Alloy 6063

  • Alloy 7075

  • 18,000

  • 55,000

  • 63,000

  • 68,000

  • 22,000

  • 33,000

  • 45,000

  • 27,000

  • 83,000

Yield (psi)

  • 17,000

  • 43,000

  • 40,000

  • 47,000

  • 21,000

  • 28,000

  • 40,000

  • 21,000

  • 73,000

Available In

  • Flt,Rd, Bar, Tube

  • Round, Hexagon Bar

  • Rod, Bar, Tube, Plate, Pipe

  • Rd,Sq,Rec,Hex,Sq.Tb,Flt,Plt

  • Flt, Mesh_Sh, Perf._Sh, Plt

  • Flat Sheet and Plate

  • ***Most Shapes***

  • ***Most Shapes***

  • Rd, Rec, Sq, Hex, Flt, Plate

Applications

  • Kitchenware, Intricate Formed Parts

  • High speed Screw Machine Parts

  • Aerospace Structural Applications

  • Parts for Transportation, Aircraft

  • Cooking Utensils, Storage Tanks

  • Home Appliances, Marine, Aircraft

  • Machine Parts, Structural, Floors

  • Moldings,Lawn Furniture, Cylinders

  • Aircraft, Moldbase, Transportation

Basics of Plastic Selection for Machining

Although the information and statements herein are believed to be accurate, no guarantee of their accuracy is made. The statements and information are included for reference purposes only and are not intended and should not be construed as either a warranty of any type or representations applicable to the particular application, use or design of the buyer or user goods. In every case, we recommend that the purchaser or user before using or buying any product perform their own tests and make their own decision to determine to their own satisfaction whether the product is acceptable quality, type and design and is suitable for the particular purpose under their own operating conditions.

Machining of plastics can be advantageous for applications requiring low volume production, close tolerance dimensions and difficult to mold configurations. There is a large selection of type and grades of plastics to choose from. Plastics range from Highly Engineered, High Performance products to low cost, low Performing plastics. Determining which material and grade would be approppriate for a particular application can be challenging.

​

Engineers typically will require 3 or less material characteristics that are critical to the functionality of the component. A basic search will prioritize and look for a material that can fulfill all 3 criteria. The below lists presents only the most common machined plastics that we have used. Many plastics are available with fillers to enhance particular characteristics, for example a glass fill improves tensile strength while reducing machinability and Molybdenum disulphide improves wear while reducing dimensional stability.

Acrylic.jpg

Clear Plastics

  • Good Choices: Clear PVC, NAS, PET, PETG

  • Other: ABS, COP, PLA, SAN, Ultem, Zeonex

  • Poor Choices: HDPE, Polypropylene

Nylatron Parts_2.jpg

Grade

  • Acrylic

  • TPX

  • Nylon

  • Polycarbonate

  • Polysulfone

Acronyms

  • PMMA

  • PMP

  • PA

  • PC

  • PSU

Tensile (psi)

Available In

Applications

Optical (%)

  • 10,000

  • 10,200

  • 12,400

  • 9,500

  • 10,200

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Lenses, Lighting, Windows, Signs

  • Medical Covers, Electrical Parts

  • Automotive, Machine Guards

  • LEDs, Eye Wear, Medical Devices

  • Medical, Food/Beverage Contact

____________92

__________90

________88

___________91

_____85

  • NOTE: Stock shapes are typically clear however once machined stock becomes translucent to opaque. Polishing is required to return component to a clear state. Polishing methods are direct machine polish, vapor polish, flame polish, and buffing.

  • Light Transmission (Optical %)

Nylon.jpg

Loading Strength (psi)

  • Good Choices: Acetal, Nylon, Polysulfone

  • Other: Delrin, Noryl

  • Poor Choices: ABS, HDPE, LDPE, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Teflon, UHMW-PE

Bending Stiffness250x100.jpg

Grade

  • Acrylic

  • Hydlar

  • Ketron

  • PVC

  • Ultem

Acronyms

  • PMMA

  • PPS

  • PEEK

  • PVC

  • PEI

Tensile (psi)

Available In

Applications

Stiffness (psi)

  • 10,000

  • 12,500

  • 14,000

  • 7,500

  • 15,200

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Shelves, Retail Fixtures, Manifolds

  • Bushings, Bearings, Rollers, Gears

  • Valve Seats, Pump Gears, Medical

  • Gears, Sprockets, Pads, Pulleys

  • Manifolds, Electrical Parts, Medical

_____480,000

_________600,000

_______590,000

_____480,000

_____480,000

  • NOTE: Flexural Modulus (Bending Stiffness)

  • Stiffness (psi) is Flexural Modulus

Vespel.jpg

Temperature Resistance

  • Good Choices: PBI, PI, Rayton, Vespel

  • Other: G7 Laminate

  • Poor Choices: ABS, Acrylic, PVC, UHMW

High Temp Plastics-1.png

Grade

  • Fluorsint

  • Ketron

  • Techtron

  • Torlon

  • Ultem

Acronyms

  • PTFE

  • PEEK

  • PPS

  • PAI

  • PEI

Tensile (psi)

Available In

Applications

Max.Temp (F)

  • 1,500

  • 14,000

  • 13,500

  • 15,000

  • 15,200

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Seals, Manifolds, Pump Parts

  • Bushings, Bearings, Seals, Gears

  • Bushings, Bearings, Rollers, Gears

  • Bearings, Seals, Valves, Washers

  • Electrical Connectors, Manifolds

_____________500

__________480

______ 400

_____________500

_____338

  • NOTE: Long Term Operating Temperature

  • Max Operating Temp (F)

Acetal.jpg

Limiting PV (Pressure/Velocity)

  • Good Choices: Ketron, Vespel

  • Other: Acetron, Meldin, Rulon

  • Poor Choices: Acrylic, Nylon, PBT, PET, UHMW

Pressure_Volicty_1.png

Grade

  • Delrin AF

  • HPV

  • Nylatron

  • Torlon 4301

Acronyms

  • POM

  • PEEK

  • PA

  • PAI

Tensile (psi)

Available In

Applications

Pressure/V

  • 8,000

  • 14,000

  • 12,500

  • 15,000

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Bearings, Bushings, Gears, Jigs

  • Wear Rings, Thrust Washers, Seals

  • Gears, Wheels, Rollers, Wear Pads

  • Bearings, Bushings, Bearing Cages

____8,300

_______20,000

__3,000

__________22,500

  • NOTE: Amount and velocity a material can experience before melting

  • Limiting Pressure Velocity (psi-ft/min)

Ultem.jpg

Dimensional Stability

  • Good Choices: Hydex, Noryl

  • Other: Acetal, Ertalyte TX, Polycarbonate, PPSU, PSU

  • Poor Choices: HDPE, LDPE, Nylon, Polypropylene, UHMW

PPS Part_1.jpg

Grade

  • Victrex

  • Ertalyte

  • Techtron

  • Ultem

Acronyms

  • PEEK

  • PET

  • PPS

  • PEI

Absorption

Available In

Applications

Thermo Exp.

  • 0.50%

  • 0.20%

  • 0.07%

  • 0.25%

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Wear Rings, Thrust Washers, Seals

  • Valve Components, Filler Pistons

  • Electrical Components, Bearings

  • Electrical Connectors, Manifolds

_______2.6

______________3.3

___1.7

____________3.1

  • NOTE: Machined plastics do not have the structural stability of metals. This is primarily caused by their tendency to absorb water and a high coefficient of thermal expansion. Stable materials have a low water absorption with a low CTE.

  • High Coefficient of Thermo Expansion (Value x 10^5 in/in/degrees F)

FEP.jpg

Chemical Resistance

  • Good Choices: Acrylic, CTFE, Kydex, PE, PEEK, PMMA, PP, PSU

  • Other: HDPE, LDPE, Phenolic, PVC Type-1

  • Limited: ABS, HIPS, Polycarbonate

Peek Part_1.png

Grade

  • Acetal

  • LubX-C

  • Nylon

  • Teflon

  • Vespel

Acronyms

  • POM

  • UHMW

  • PA

  • PTFE

  • PI

Tensile (psi)

Available In

Applications

Chem. Rating

  • 9,800

  • 3,100

  • 10,000

  • 1,500

  • 12,500

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Bearings, Pump and Valve Parts

  • Rollers, Pile Guards, Star Wheels

  • Gears, Wheels, Rollers, Wear Pads

  • Gaskets, Valves, Pumps, Manifolds

  • Clamp Rings, Valve Seats, Seals

________Excellent

________Excellent
__Acceptable
________Excellent

________Excellent

  • NOTE: Plastics are not as chemically resistant as metals. Though some seem almost universally resistant, others are highly sensitive and crack when exposed to almost any chemical.

  • Rating(A=Acceptable,E=Excellent, L=Limited) Acids, Alkalies, Organic Solvents

Nylon2.jpg

Toughness/Impact Resistance

  • Good Choices: Hydex 301, Kydex, Radel-R 

  • Other: ABS, HDPE, Phenolic

  • Poor Choices: Acetal, Acrylic, Delrin, Noryl, PEEK, PET, Polypropylene, Polysulfone

UHMW Part_2.png

Grade

  • C-TEK

  • Hydex 202

  • Nylon ST801

  • Polycarbonate

  • UHMW-PE

Acronyms

  • LDPE

  • PU

  • PA

  • PC

  • UHMW

Tensile (psi)

Available In

Applications

1lb, 1ft Drop

  • 1,400

  • 9,800

  • 12,400

  • 9,500

  • 5,800

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Orthotic/Prosthetic Devices, Pads

  • Gears, Oil/Gas Field Equipment

  • Pulleys, Gears, Bushings, Sprockets

  • Site Glass, Impact Sheild, Manifold

  • Guides, Bushings, Rollers, Augers

________No Break

__10.0

__________17.0

______14.0

________No Break

  • NOTE: Impact is the amount of force needed to break a material

  • Notched Izod Test (1lb weight, 1 ft Height Drop Test)

HDPE.jpg

Cost

  • Inexpensive Choices: ABS, LDPE, PA 6/6, POM-C, VHME

  • Other: Acrylic, Acetal, PC, Phenolic CE, POM-H

  • Expensive Choices: Delrin AF, Hydlar Z, PAI, PEEK, PPS, Radel, Vespel, Ultem

UHMW Part_1.png

Grade

  • Sanatec

  • ProComp

  • PVC Type1

  • Nylon 6

  • UHMW-PE

Acronyms

  • HDPE

  • PP

  • PVC

  • PA

  • UHMW

Tensile (psi)

Available In

Applications

Cost Factor

  • 4,600

  • 3,400

  • 8,350

  • 12,000

  • 5,800

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Support Blocks, Housing Covers

  • Bearings, Bushings, Gears, Rollers

  • Pulleys, Gears, Bushings, Pads

  • Wear Pads, Rails, Feed Screws

  • Guides, Bushings, Rollers, Augers

___0.28

__0.27

______0.43

_____________1.43

_________0.47

  • NOTE: Comparative pricing based on price per sqaure foot for 1-inch-thick sheet (Market Dependent, subject to change)

  • Cost Comparison Between the Materials (USD)

UHMW.jpg

Biocompatible

  • Good Choices: Kydex, PU, PET

  • Other: Acetal, Noryl, Polysulfone, Rulon 641, Ultem

Polycarbonate Part_1.jpg

Grade

  • SustaPeek MG

  • SustaNat PC MG

  • Radel R

  • Polystone P MG

  • Celcon

Acronyms

  • PEEK

  • PC

  • PPSU

  • PP

  • POM-C

Tensile (psi)

Available In

Applications

Compatible

  • 16,000

  • 10,000

  • 11,000

  • 4,700

  • 9,500

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Implants, Orthopedic, Dental

  • Medical/Surgical Devices

  • Trays, Medical/Dental Devices

  • Surgical Trays, Caddy Applications

  • Medical, Valve Housings, Manifolds

_Medical Grade

_______Prolonged

_Medical Grade

_Medical Grade

___Limited

​

  • NOTE: There are three (3) exposure scales for biocompatible devices and three (3) Usage Categories

  • Exposure: Limited (Less than 24 Hrs), Prolonged (24 Hrs - 30 Days), Permanent (30 Days and Longer)

  • Usage Categories: Surface Devices, Externally Communication Devices, Implant Devices

Peek.jpg

FDA

  • Good Choices: ABS, Acrylic, LDPE, HDPE, PP, Polystone 7000

  • Other: Nylatron FG, PETG, Tetco V, Torlon LG

Delrin Part_2.png

Grade

  • Delrin

  • Ertalyte TX

  • Ketron 1000

  • Tivar 1000

  • TUFFAK FD

Acronyms

  • POM

  • PET

  • PEEK

  • UHMW

  • PC

Tensile (psi)

Available In

Applications

Approvals

  • 10,000

  • 10,500

  • 16,000

  • 5,800

  • 9,500

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Gears, Conveyer, Medical Delivery

  • Food Processing Components

  • Bushings, Bearings, Seals, Valves

  • Liners, Scrapers, Rollers, Guides

  • Candy Molds, Incubators, Bassinets

________F, N, U, 3

________F, U, 3

___F

______F, U

___F

  • NOTE: Plastics that come into contact with food, Beverages, Medicine Packaging

  • Approvals: FDA(F), NSF(N), USDA(U), 3-A Dairy(3)

Radel.jpg

Steam Sterilization

  • Good Choices: PP-H

  • Other: PA, PC, PP, PTFE

  • Poor Choices: ABS, PBT, PET, PS

Steam_1.jpg

Grade

  • Radel

  • SUSTAPEEK MG

  • SUSTARIN C MG

  • SUSTASON MG

  • Ultem

Acronyms

  • PPSU

  • PEEK

  • POM-C

  • PSU

  • PEI

Tensile (psi)

Available In

Applications

Hot Steam (F)

  • 10,000

  • 16,000

  • 9,500

  • 10,200

  • 15,200

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sterilization Trays, Food Trays

  • Medical/Surgical Devices, Pumps

  • Medical Device Components

  • Manifolds, Valves, Medical Devices

  • Reusable Medical Devices, Aircraft

_250(VG) / 273(VG)

_250(VG) / 273(VG)

_250(GR) / 273(CR)

_250(VG) / 273(GR)

_250(VG) / 273(VG)

​

  • NOTE: Sterilization Resistance with changes to the mechanical properties being taken into due account 

  • Sterilization Procedure Resistance: Very Good Resistance(VG), Good Resistance(GR), Conditional Resistance(CR)

PBT.jpg

UV Resistance

  • Good Choices: PVC, Structural FRP

  • Other: PBT, PEEK, PP

  • Poor Choices: ABS, Acetal, Kydex, LDPE, Nylon, Polycarbonate (FDA)

Polycarbonate Sheet.jpg

Grade

  • Acrylic (UV)

  • GPO-3

  • Polycarbonate UV

  • Rulon

  • Ultem 1000

Acronyms

  • PMMA

  • PE

  • PC

  • PTFE

  • PEI

Tensile (psi)

Available In

Applications

Resistance

  • 10,000

  • 10,000

  • 9,500

  • 3,900

  • 15,200

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Light fixtures, Reflectors, Manifolds

  • Spacers, Transformers, End Barriers

  • Helmets, Safety Windows, Syringes

  • Seats, Plugs, Valves, Impellers

  • Medical, Manifolds, Aircraft Parts

________Excellent

___Good

___Good

________Excellent

___Good

  • NOTE: UV Resistance refers to a materials ability to resist degradation from absorbing UV Radiation

  • Excellent/High Stability(E), Good/May Discolor but Retain Stability(G), Limited/Will Degrade Stability(L)

PBT.jpg

Medical Grades

  • Good Choices: PET, PMMA, PSU

  • Other: Nylon, Polyamide, Polyethylene, Polystyrene, Polyurethane, PVC

  • Poor Choices: ABS (Non-Contact)

Medical Tray.jpg

Grade

  • Celcon

  • Polystone P MG

  • Radel R

  • SUSTANAT MG

  • SUSTAPEEK MG

Acronyms

  • POM-C

  • PP

  • PPSU

  • PC

  • PEEK

Tensile (psi)

Available In

Applications

Contact

  • 9,500

  • 4,700

  • 11,000

  • 10,000

  • 16,000

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod, Tube

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Sheet, Rod

  • Medical, Valve Housings, Manifolds

  • Surgical Trays, Caddy Applications

  • Medical/Surgical Devices, Trays

  • Medical/Surgical Devices

  • Implants, Orthopedic, Dental

_Medical Grade

_______Prolonged

___Limited

_Medical Grade

_Medical Grade

  • NOTE: ALL Biocompatible and Medical Grade Plastics must be fully researched before a selection is made, this guide does not warrant the use for a product's specific use.

  • Exposure: Limited (Less 24 Hours), Prolonged (24hrs-30 Days), Permanent (30 Days and Longer)

  • Usage Categories: Surface Devices, Externally Communication Devices, Implant Devices

NOTE: Please see our other material lists, below. If you choose to supply your own raw or cut material stock for CNC Machining Services, please e-mail us and just let us know. (Note: Requires an MSDS data sheet) ...

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