Plastics often used for making mechanical parts

Engineering plastics[1] are a group of plastic materials that have better mechanical or thermal properties than the more widely used commodity plastics (such as polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene and polyethylene).

Engineering plastics are more expensive than standard plastics, therefore they are produced in lower quantities and tend to be used for smaller objects or low-volume applications (such as mechanical parts), rather than for bulk and high-volume ends (like containers and packaging). Engineering plastics have a higher heat resistance than standard plastics and are continuously usable at temperatures up to about 150 °C (300 °F).

The term usually refers to thermoplastic materials rather than thermosetting ones. Examples of engineering plastics include polyamides (PA, nylons), used for skis and ski boots; polycarbonates (PC), used in motorcycle helmets and optical discs; and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA, major brand names acrylic glass and plexiglass), used e.g. for taillights and protective shields. The currently most-consumed engineering plastic is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), used for e.g. car bumpers, dashboard trim and Legos.

Engineering plastics have gradually replaced traditional engineering materials such as metal, glass or ceramics in many applications. Besides equalling or surpassing them in strength, weight, and other properties, engineering plastics are much easier to manufacture, especially in complicated shapes. Across all different product types, more than 22 million tonnes of engineering plastics were consumed worldwide in 2020.[2]

Relevant properties

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Each engineering plastic usually has a unique combination of properties that may make it the material of choice for some application. For example, polycarbonates are highly resistant to impact, while polyamides are highly resistant to abrasion. Other properties exhibited by various grades of engineering plastics include heat resistance, mechanical strength, rigidity, chemical stability, self lubrication (specially used in manufacturing of gears and skids) and fire safety.

Examples

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References

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Application and Types of Engineering Plastics

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Application Of Plastic In Engineering Field

Engineering plastics have high mechanical strength, or have good properties such as high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, etc. After modification, engineering plastics are more widely used and can be used in electronics, home appliances, office equipment, communications, automobiles, water processing, electrical, aviation, military and other fields.

1. Application fields of engineering plastics

Engineering plastics has become the fastest growing field in the world’s plastics industry. Its development not only supports the national pillar industry and modern high-tech industry, but also promotes the transformation of traditional industries and the adjustment of product structure.

Types of engineering plastics are increasingly used in the automotive field, mainly used in bumpers, fenders, fuel tanks, instrument panels and other interior trims, body panels, doors, lamp covers, fuel pipes, radiators, and engine-related parts.

In the field of machinery, engineering plastics can be used for mechanical parts such as bearings, gears, screws, nuts, seals, and mechanical structural parts such as housings, covers, handwheels, handles, fasteners, and pipe joints.

In the field of electronics and electrical appliances, engineering plastics can be used for wire and cable coverings, printed circuit boards, insulating films and other insulating materials and electrical equipment structural parts.

In the field of household appliances, engineering plastics can be used in refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, TV sets, electric fans, vacuum cleaners, electric irons, microwave ovens, rice cookers, radios, integrated audio equipment and lighting appliances.

In the chemical industry, engineering plastics can be used in chemical equipment such as heat exchangers and chemical equipment linings, and in chemical pipelines such as pipes and pipe fittings, valves, and pumps.

2. The types of engineering plastics

PA: Polyamide is an engineering plastic with excellent performance, excellent mechanical properties, outstanding corrosion resistance, oil resistance, heat resistance, high modulus and other advantages. Reinforcement and flame retardant modification can significantly improve its heat resistance, modulus, dimensional stability and flame retardancy, and are widely used in automotive, electronics, electrical, power tools, and other industries.

PC: PC series includes toughening, strengthening, flame retardant, etc., and its properties such as flame retardancy and strength can be significantly improved by modification, so that modified materials are widely used in auto parts, OA products, electronic and electrical products, etc.

ABS: ABS resin is a terpolymer composed of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. ABS has the rigidity, chemical resistance and heat resistance of polyacrylonitrile, the appearance and dimensional stability of polystyrene, and the cold and impact resistance of polybutadiene.

PBT: Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is an excellent engineering material with excellent toughness and fatigue resistance, heat resistance, good weather resistance, good electrical properties and low water absorption. Reinforcement and flame retardant modification can significantly improve its heat resistance, modulus, size, stability and flame retardancy, and are widely used in automotive, electronics, electrical and other industries.

TPU: TPU thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is a kind of polyurethane elastomer. It not only has the high elasticity of rubber, but also has the plasticity of polymer materials. TPU (polyurethane) is flammable and has a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of about 18%. The flame retardant TPU produced by Anmei has good tensile strength and wear resistance.

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Suzhou Anmei modified plastic inc, the professional supplier of engineering plastic and the color masterbatch was founded in 2013, which is located in Tongli — the millennium ancient town, 50km far away from Shanghai, the location is very convenient for transportation.