Plastic

The Acrilonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a plastic polymer consisting of styrene and acrylonitrile together with polybutadiene. This material has a good impact resistance and toughness.

ABS PROPERTIES:

• Good sliding;
• Heat resistance;
• Good shock resistance.

The ABS can be used from -20 ° C to +80 ° C; it is resistant to aqueous acids, alkali, concentrated hydrochloric and phosphoric acids, alcohols and of animal, vegetable and mineral oils, but not to concentrated nitric and sulphuric acids. The ABS is soluble in esters, ketones, dichloroethane and in acetone. The ABS can be worked through injection and extrusion moulding.

ABS APPLICATIONS:

Toys, consumer items, mobiles, protective helmets; automotive Industry, interior door panel, seat components, instrument panels, mirror housings, appliances.

The polyamides are long-chain polymers containing amide units (NHC = O). They are obtained by the polymerization of an acid with an amide.
The polyamide 6 (PA 6) was developed in 1952, while the polyamide 6.6 (PA 6.6) was produced in 1935 by DuPont.
The polyamides are the most widely used polymers in the category of tecnopolymers, due to their excellent price / performance ratio.

POLYAMIDES TYPES:

• (PA 6);
• (PA 6.6).

By changing their chemical structure, other types of polyamides can be obtained such as:

• PA11 – PA12
• PA 4.6
• PA6.10 – PA6.12

POLYAMIDES PROPERTIES:

• Resistance to ageing even at high temperatures;
• High strength and rigidity;
• Toughness even at low temperatures;
• High fluidity;
• Excellent dielectric properties;
• Abrasion resistance;
• Resistance to chemicals;
• Resistance to chemicals such as gasoline, fats and aromas;
• Good absorbency of water;

POLYAMIDES APPLICATIONS:

• Automotive Industry;
• Electricity and Electronics;
• Connectors: CEE industrial connectors, terminal blocks;
• General Industry

The PBT or polybutylene terephthalate belongs to the family of thermoplastic polyesters. The PBT is a semi-crystalline polymer mainly used in the injection moulding process.

PBT PROPERTIES:

• Heat resistance up to 150°C;
• Excellent yield strength, even at high temperatures;
• High stiffness and hardness;
• Abrasion resistance;
• Dimensional stability;
• Atmospheric agents resistance.

PRINCIPALI APPLICAZIONI DEL PBT:

• Articles for electrical and electronics industries
• Automotive industry

The Polycarbonate (PC) is characterized by a unique combination of toughness, optical clarity, rigidity and strength. It has excellent electrical properties.

The Polycarbonate is one of the most transparent polymers, it is suitable for both injection and extrusion moulding and can be produced with many different features such as flame retardant, scratch-resistant, high tenacity, heat resistant, atmospheric agents resistant, bio – compatible.

The polycarbonate has an excellent UV stability.

PC APPLICATIONS:

• Automotive Industry;
• Electrical Industry;
• Appliances;
• Consumer and household items;
• Safety equipment;
• Medical sector;
• Lighting;
• Compact disc.

The PC / ABS is a blend of PC and ABS that combines the high malleability of the ABS with the excellent mechanical properties and resistance to impact/heat of the PC.

PC / ABS PROPERTIES:

• High impact resistance, even at low temperatures;
• Heat resistance;
• High rigidity;

The PC / ABS is suitable for applications that require high resistance to distortion due to heat (temperatures between 95 and 125 ° C) as well as good toughness. The PC/ABS blend has an excellent toughness even at low temperatures.

PC / ABS APPLICATIONS:

• Automotive Industry;
• Electronics.

The polyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely used plastic materials in the world.
There are many families of polyethylene (PE), which exploit the many properties of this product and make it suitable for a very wide variety of uses.

PE TYPES:

Standard polyethylene:

• • LDPE – low density polyethylene;
  • HDPE – high density polyethylene;
  • MDPE – medium density polyethylene;
  • C4 Butene LLDPE – linear low – density polyethylene;

High performance polyethylene:

• • C8 octene LLDPE – linear – low density polyethylene;
  • C6 hexene LLDPE – linear – low density polyethylene;
  • VLDPE octene C8 – low density polyethylene;
  • VLDPE hexene C6 – low density polyethylene;
  • MLLDPE octene C8 – polyethylene, linear low – density metallocene;

Functional Polyethylene:

• • EEA – ethylene-ethyl acrylate;
  • EAA – ethylene acrylic acid;
  • MAH – maleic anhydride;
  • EVA – ethylene vinyl acetate;
  • Plastomers and elastomers (based on ethylene and propylene);

PE APPLICATIONS:

• Tubes for cosmetics;
• Caps shrink;
• Industrial films;
• Packaging;
• Covers;
• Boxes ;
• Laminated films;
• Sealants;
• Thermal adhesive films;
• Packaging for frozen foods;
• Pipes for heating;
• Fuel tanks.

The Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) is a transparent thermoplastic polymer often used as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass.

The PMMA is an alternative to polycarbonate (PC) when extreme strength is not necessary and when characteristics of high transparency, UV resistance and / or resistance to scratches are required.

The PMMA is available in thermoplastic pellets, designed for injection, extrusion and blow moulding.

PMMA PROPERTIES:

• Exceptional optical properties;
• Transparency and brilliance of the surface;
• Rigidity and dimensional stability;
• Hardness and scratch resistance;
• Excellent resistance to sunlight (ultraviolet radiation) due to ageing and atmospheric agents.

Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as polyacetal or acetal resin, was discovered by the German chemist Hermann Staudinger.

POM TYPES:

• POM homopolymer;
• POM copolymer.

Homopolymer POM has high crystallinity compared to copolymer POM, while chemical resistance is higher in the copolymer. This leads to higher stiffness in the homopolymer and lower thermal degradation in the copolymer, during production and in use.

POM PROPERTIES:

• high rigidity
• low wear
• good resilience
• low water absorption

The most common acetal transformation processes are injection molding and extrusion POM is mainly used for technical components.

POM APPLICATIONS:

• gears
• soft
• chains
• screws
• handles
• zippers
• clamps
• fuel pumps
• inhalers
• sliding guides for furniture

The Polypropylene (PP) was invented in 1954 by the Prof. Natta. The polypropylene is very workable, it has a low density and is relatively cheap compared to other polymers.

PP TYPES:

• Homopolymer Polypropylene (HPP), whose degrees have high rigidity;
• Copolymer Polypropylene (CPP), whose degrees guarantee an excellent shockproof performance even at low temperatures;
• Random Copolymer Polypropylene (Raco PP), whose degrees are transparent (they are also known as statistical copolymers).

Another feature of the polypropylene is its exceptional resistance to many chemical solvents, bases and acids.

PP PROPERTIES:

• Food packaging;
• Extrusion of fibres;
• Furniture;
• Home furnishings;
• Industrial packaging;
• Caps and closures.

The PPS or polifenilensulfide is a semi-crystalline high performance thermoplastic material with excellent mechanical properties (creep resistance, stiffness and strength) and excellent thermal and chemical resistance, which often led him to be the best alternative to metal or thermosetting.

The PPS (polifenilensulfide) is generally available on a non-loaded form, reinforced with glass fibres (30-40%) and mineral charged at up to 65%.

PPS PROPERTIES:

• temperature of continuous use up to 240 ° C;
• resistance to temperature peaks up to 270 ° C;
• inherently self-extinguishing;
• high chemical resistance (insoluble in all known solvents below 200 ° C);
• very low water absorption capacity;
• high resistance to deformation, even at high temperatures.

The PPS is characterized by a temperature resistance among the highest found between the thermoplastic. Some grades of PPS reach a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 270 ° C.

The Polifenilensulfide is an inherently flame retardant polymer. This means that it reaches the UL 94 V-0 class and in some degrees the 5 VA, even without flame retardant additives.

PPS APPLICATIONS:

• Electrical and electronic components;
• Parts for automotive industries;
• Components of power tools;
• Surgical equipment;
• Applications for contact with drinking water.

The Polystyrene is one of the oldest thermoplastic polymers.

PS TYPES:

• GPPS – crystal polystyrene;
• HIPS – high impact polystyrene.

The GPPS or crystal polystyrene is totally transparent but fragile. It is widely used for food packaging applications or for the exhibitors production.

The HIPS, High Impact Polystyrene, is made with the addition of Polybutadiene rubber which gives the material a better performance in case of impact, even if it determines the loss of transparency.

The polystyrene is easily workable, it has a brilliance which makes it aesthetically pleasing. It’s the ideal material for thermoforming.

PS APPLICATIONS:

• Toys;
• Capsules for laboratories;
• Coat racks;
• Office equipment;
• Disposable cutlery;
• Glasses.

The PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride or polyvinylidene difluoride) is a thermoplastic fluoropolymer chemically inert.

The resins of PVDF are in form of granules.

The products made of PVDF by injection or extrusion moulding are commonly used in applications that require a high resistance to aggressive chemicals. The PVDF is chemically resistant to halogens (chlorine, bromine, fluorine and iodine) and strong acids, even at high temperatures. As coating product for cables, the PVDF resin may be used at temperatures of up to 175 ° C, thanks to its properties of flame resistance.

PVDF PROPERTIES:

• Easy workability as a standard thermoplastic polymer;
• High chemical resistance even at high temperatures;
• Flame-retardant;
• UV stability and radiation;
• Low microbiological attack;
• Abrasion resistance.

PVDF APPLICATIONS:

• Injection moulding: PVDF is suitable for producing components used in chemical, nuclear, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, electrical and automotive industries;
• Piping;
• Coatings.

The Styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) is a copolymer made of styrene and acrylonitrile.

This material is mainly used in applications where chemical resistance is required as well as an additional resistance to temperature slightly higher than the crystal polystyrene.

SAN PROPERTIES:

•  High transparency;
• Chemical resistance;
• High stiffness;
• High hardness of the surfaces.

The SAN is very transparent and shiny. Its characteristic of being scratch resistant makes it suitable for applications such as displays for retail stores and cosmetic items.

SAN APPLICATIONS:

• Parts of refrigerators;
• Dividers shelves;
• Covers for lights;
• Packaging of cosmetics;
• Items for kitchens.

The TPE is a material similar to rubber and it can be worked with technologies such as thermoplastic injection moulding, co-moulding or extrusion moulding.

TYPES OF TPE:

• Thermoplastic polyolefines (co-continuous hard / soft blends) – TPE-O;
• The styrene SBS, SEBS or SEPS – TPE-S compound;
• The styrene SBS, SEBS or SEPS – TPE-S compound;
• The copolyester compound – TPE-E;
• The thermoplastic polyurethane – TPE-U;
• The thermoplastic polyamide – TPE-A.

The disadvantages of the TPE, when compared to conventional thermosetting rubbers, are the lower material qualities. The TPE has a temperature and a chemical resistance lower than the rubbers as well as a lower flexibility and a worst compression set.
Among the main advantages of thermoplastic elastomers, there is the greater ease in processing it (and the lower energy expenditure compared to thermosetting), with the conventional thermoplastic processes such as injection, extrusion, thermoforming and blow moulding. Furthermore, the TPE can be easily coloured and overprinted to various thermoplastics, with a good adhesion.

TPE APPLICATIONS:

•  soft handles of tools, pencils, toothbrushes and razors;
• gaskets of car windows, car mats, air bag doors, roofing dashboards;
• cable coatings;
• sports equipment;
• roofing membranes;
• toys.