Engineering plastics are a group of plastic materials that exhibit superior mechanical and thermal properties in a wide range of conditions over and above more commonly used ‘commodity’ plastics. The term usually refers to thermoplastic materials rather than thermosetting ones.

Examples of engineering plastics include:

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Polycarbonates (PC)
Polyamides (PA)
Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Polyphenylene oxide (PPO)
Polysulphone (PSU)
Polyetherketone (PEK)
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
Polyimides

‘Commodity’ plastics

The more commonly used thermoplastic materials are known as ‘commodity’ plastics as they are traded and used in great quantities. Examples are polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE).

Typical applications for commodity plastics are high production volume products such as ‘polythene’ bags (made from polyethylene), vacuum-formed food packaging (low density polyethylene), disposable drinking cups (high-impact polystyrene) and window frames/wire insulation (PVC).

Engineering plastics

Engineering thermoplastics are sold in much lower quantities and are thus more expensive per unit weight. Despite this, they are widely used in everyday products. For example ABS is used to manufacture car bumpers and dashboard trim, polycarbonate is used in motorcycle helmets and polyamides (nylons) are used for skis and ski boots.
Typically, an engineering plastic is chosen for its range of enhanced physical properties e.g. polycarbonate is highly impact resistant and polyamides are highly resistant to abrasion. In these types of applications, designers are looking for plastics that can replace traditional engineering materials such as wood or metal. The advantage gained is the inherent ‘formability’ (ease of manufacture) of plastics as opposed to metal-working or fabrication.

Other properties exhibited by various grades of engineering plastics include high heat resistance, mechanical strength, rigidity, chemical stability and flame retardency.

ABBREVIATIONS OF PLASTIC RAW MATERIALS

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Terpolymer
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene / Polyvinyl Chloride Alloy
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene / Polycarbonate Alloy
Acrylonitrile/Styrene Alloy + elastomeric acrylic ester
Polybutene-1
Cellulose Acetate
Cellulose Aceto-Butyrate
Cellulose & Regenerated Cellulose
Cellulose Nitrate
Cellulose Propionate
Chlorinated Polyethylene
Polyethylene Chloro-Sulphonate
Ethyl-Cellulose
Ethylene-Ethyl Acrylate Copolymer
Ethylene-Vinyl acetate Copolymer
Tetrafluoroethylene-Hexafluoropropylene Copolymer
Melamine- Formaldehyde
Methylmethacrylate-Butadiene-Styrene Alloy
Polyhexamethyleneadipamide - Nylon 66
Polycaproamide - Nylon 6
Polyundecanoamide - Nylon 11
Polyhexamethylenesebacamide - Nylon 610
Polyhexamethylenedodecanamide - Nylon 612
Polylauramide - Nylon 12
Polybutane
Polybutyleneterephthalate
Polycarbonate
Polychlorotrifluoroethylene
Chlorinated Polyether
Polyethyleneterephthalate PETP
Phenol Formaldehyde
Polyethylene , low density LDPE
Polyethylene , high density HDPE
Poly-iso-butylene
Poly-4-methyl-pentene-1
Polymethylmethacrylate (Acrylic)
Polymethylmethacrylate / a-methylstyrene Copolymer
Polyacetalic or Polyoxymethylene Resins
(homopolymers & copolymers) Polyacetal
Polypropylene
Modified Polypropylene Oxide
Polypropylene Sulphide
Polysulphone
Polystyrene or Polystyrol (Anti-shock HIPS)
Styrene / Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer
Polytetrafluoroethylene
Linear Polyurethanes PUR
Polyvinyl Acetate
Polyvinylidene Chloride
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride
Polyvinyl Chloride
Polyvinyl Chloride / Acetate Copolymer
Polyvinyl Chloride /Polypropylene Copolymer
Polyvinylidene Fluoride
Polyvinyl Fluoride
Styrene-Acrylonotrile Copolymer
Silicones
Thermoplastic rubber
Formaldehyde - Urea