Guide to Quadrant's Machining Engineering Thermoplastics
| Trade Name | Chemical Name | Key Properties | Common Applications | Price | Machineability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanalite | High Density Polyethelene (HDPE) | Textured surface for improved release. Ease of fabrication including welding plus good chemical resistance | Cutting boards, dough hoppers | $ | 1 |
| Proteus | Polypropylene (PP) | Chemical resistance and good weldability plus easy forming | Tanks, prosthetics | $ | 1 |
| TIVAR | Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethelene (UHMW) | Excellent wear and abrasion resistance | Sliding surfaces, bushings, guides in packaging/food processing machinery | $ | 1 |
| Nylatron | Polyamide (PA) or nylon | Hight Strength and wear resistance | Gears, wear pads, rollers bearings | $$ | 2 |
| Acetron GP | Polyoxymethelene (POM) or acetal | Excellent machineability and close tolerance capable | Machinery fixtures, cams, rollers and bearings for food processing and high speed packaging machinery | $$ | 2 |
| Ertalyte | Polyethelene terepthalate (PET) | Improved dimensional stability plus good wear resistance and chemical resistance | Pistons, fill caps, rollers, manifolds, augers and non-symetric food processing machinery parts | $$ | 3 |
| Fluorosint | Mica Reinforced PTFE (Teflon) | Most dimensionally stable PTFE | High temperature seals and valve seats, piston seal rings and bearings | $$$$ | 1 |
| Techtron | Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) | Excellent chemical resistance and inertness plus ease of machining | Analytical instrument components | $$$$ | 4 |
| Ketron | Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) | Excellent chemical resistance and hight temperature wear resistance | Chemical process valve seats/seals and wear parts | $$$$ | 5 |
| Ultem | Polytherimide (PEI) | High strength, and good heat resistance to 350F. Plus high dielectric strength, low flamability and good resistance to hot water/steam | Medical instruments and electrical components | $$$ | 4 |
| Radel | Polyarylsulfone (PAS) | Best resistance to hot water/steam | Surgical instrument handles and other parts exposed to hot water/steam | $$$ | 4 |
| Torlon | Polyamidimide (PAI) | Hight strength and heat resistance to 500F | High temperature bearings and highly loaded parts. | $$$$$ | 7 |
| Celazole | Polybenzimidizal (PBI) | Highest strength and heat resistance to 800F | Glass handling parts, plasma torch components | $$$$$$ | 9 |
Machining scale 1 is easiest to machine. High speed steel is typically OK for low volumes and carbide tooling best for higher volume parts.
Machining scale 9 is most difficult to machine. Polycrystalline or carbide tooling is suggested.
Your Source for the Best in Engineering Plastics
- Delrin®
- Ketron® PEEK
- Nylon® 101
- Torlon®
- Ertalyte®
- Techtron® PPS
- Acetron GP®
- TIVAR® UHMW
- Nylatron®
- Sanalite®
- Ultem®
- Proteus® PP
- Noryl®
- Radel®
- Flourisint®
- Celazole® PBI
If you are machining any of these products, call us for your next requirement. If not, let us show you how Laird Plastics and Quadrant can help you expand your business.
