Properties of thermoplastics

• Acrylic

• Nylon

• Polycarbonate

• Polystyrene

• ABS

Properties

• Good toughness

• Good impact strength

• Good for injection moulding, vacuum forming and extrusion

Uses

• Packaging

• Foam cups

Properties

• Strong

• Rigid

• Harder and tougher than polystyrene

• Twice the cost of polystyrene

Uses

• Plastic pipes

• Children’s toys

• Keyboard caps

Properties

• Good optical properties - can be transparent

• Hard wearing

• Won’t shatter upon impact (strong)

Uses

• Bathtubs

• Machine guards

• Plastic windows

Properties

• Ductile

• Durable

• Low friction properties

• Good resistance to wear

Uses

• Bearings

• Gear wheels

Properties

• Strong

• Tough

• Excellent dimensional and colour stability

• Heat resistant

Uses

• DVDs

• Safety glasses

• Exterior lighting fixtures