The perfect plastic

Polyoxymethylenes are technical thermoplastics that are created by co-polymerisation of formaldehyde. Due to their chemical structure, POM plastics are often also termed polyacetals. They have a high degree of crystallinity and are amongst the most rigid and strongest thermoplastics whilst simultaneously exhibiting good toughness, surface hardness and low friction values.

Polyoxymethylenes are often used as precision parts in precision engineering applications and serve as substitutes for metals.

Polyethylene terephthalates are thermoplastic, machinable, saturated polyesters made from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. PET plastics have a high degree of crystallinity and are used as sliding materials with high mechanical strength and good dimensional stability. They are stiff, dimensionally stable and remain impact resistant even at low temperatures. Their dimensional stability under heat reaches almost to their melting point at 255 °C. Polyethylene terephthalates are often used in machinery construction as sprockets, rollers or ball bearing shells.

Polyamides are semi-crystalline thermoplastics that are primarily manufactured by poly-condensation. They belong to the amino acids group. The numbers in the abbreviations refer to the number of C atoms in the molecular building blocks. The high moisture absorbency lends PA plastics a hard, tough nature, which is characterised by high impact resistance, high wear resistance and good sliding properties. Polyamides are well suited to use as bearing materials due their excellent sliding and dry-running characteristics.

Polycarbonates are transparent thermoplastics and are produced by converting bisphenol A with phosgene. PC plastics are characterised by a broad spectrum of interesting and high-quality material characteristics. They are highly dimensionally stable under heat, very tough, can be sterilised and have good electrical insulating properties. Thanks to their transparency, polycarbonates are often used as optical parts such as cover boxes or cover panels for switchgear and measurement devices.

Polyphenylene ethers are obtained from 2,6-dimethylphenol and were initially marketed under the name polyphenylene oxide (PPO). They are characterised by being highly dimensionally stable under heat, having good dimensional stability and very low water absorbency. With a density of 1.06 g/cm3, polyphenylene ethers are one of the lightest technical plastics and are used in a large range of temperatures, primarily in electrical applications.

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrenes are one of the oldest and most important styrene copolymers and are obtained from the three components acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. ABS plastics are characterised by being very tough, strong, stiff and also have good impact and fracture behaviour. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene carries only a minor static charge and so this plastic is often used in the areas of electrical and precision engineering.

Polyethylenes are semi-crystalline thermoplastics and are produced through polymerisation of ethylene with the help of organometallic catalysts. PE plastics belong to the polyolefins group. These are soft and flexible and at the same time are semi-crystalline. Polyethylenes are easily processed and are used in many applications. The low density provides a reduction in weight.

Polyethylenes are often used in the machinery and foodstuffs industries.

Polypropylenes are semi-crystalline thermoplastics and are produced through polymerisation of propylene. Like polyethylene, PP plastics belong to the polyolefins group. However, they have even higher strength, stiffness and melting temperatures. Polypropylenes are easily processed and are used in many applications. The low density provides a reduction in weight. Polypropylenes are often used for hot water pressure pipes and wastewater pipes.

Polypropylene for higher temperatures is an innovative compound material based on polypropylene and that fills the gap between polyolefins and technical thermoplastics thanks to its material characteristics. PP-HT plastics are distinguished by excellent dimensional stability under heat. Through special mixing, the USP VI-certified polypropylene HT (which has also been successfully tested by the C.R.I.T.T. institute for sterilisation and decontamination) is particularly well suited for use in temperatures of up to 140°C with high mechanical stresses, e.g. in medical equipment.

Polypropylene for higher temperatures is an innovative compound material based on polypropylene and that fills the gap between polyolefins and technical thermoplastics thanks to its material characteristics. PP-HT plastics are distinguished by excellent dimensional stability under heat. Through special mixing, the USP VI-certified polypropylene HT (which has also been successfully tested by the C.R.I.T.T. institute for sterilisation and decontamination) is particularly well suited for use in temperatures of up to 140°C with high mechanical stresses, e.g. in medical equipment.

Polyphenyl sulphides are sulphurous, aromatic, high-performance plastics created from phenyl mercaptan. Thanks to their short-term service temperature of +260°C and good chemical resistance, PPS plastics are one of the most important high-performance plastics. They are resistant to oxidisation and hydrolysis and have a very low coefficient of sliding friction. Polyphenyl sulphides are often used in
electrical engineering.

Polyvinylidenfluorides are semi-fluorinated thermoplastics, whereby the normal hydrogen atoms of the carbon main chains are partially (57%) replaced with fluorine atoms. PVDF plastics combine good mechanical, thermal and electrical characteristics with excellent chemical resistance. Thanks to their ability to be used in many different applications in different temperature ranges, polyvinylidenfluorides are often used in
medical equipment.