Materials: Types

Common Material Types

Plastic Type (alphabetical) - click here for detailed info below
  • ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) 
  • Acetal 
  • Acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate) [click here for colors]
  • Acrylic Mirror 
  • Acrylic/PVC 
  • CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride)
  • ECTFE (ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene)
  • Fiber-filled
  • Fluoroplastics
  • HDPE (high-density polyethylene)
  • HIPS (high-impact polystyrene) 
  • Laminates
  • LDPE (low-density polyethylene)
  • Nylon - see PA
  • PA (polyamides) or nylons
  • PC (polycarbonate) 
  • PC/ABS (polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
  • PCTFE (polychlorotrifluoroethylene) 
  • PE (polyethylene)
  • PE/ABS (polyethylene/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
  • PEEK (polyether ether ketone) 
  • PES (polyester)
  • PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
  • PP (polypropylene) 
  • PPS (polyphenylene sulfide)
  • PS (polystyrene)
  • PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)
  • PU (polyurethanes)
  • PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
  • PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride) or SaranWrap
  • PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride)
  • Styrene - see PS
  • Twinwall PC
  • UHMW-PE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene)
  • VHMW-PE (very-high molecular weight polyethylene)

Sheets | Rods | Tubes | Film

Brands
  • 3-form - specialty manufacturer of architectural and design plastics
  • Acrylite - 
  • Amerilux - twinwall polycarbonate (PC)
  • Delrin - 
  • Gallina - twinwall polycarbonate (PC)
  • Greentek - 
  • King Starboard - high grade of marine HDPE
  • Kydex - 
  • Lexan - polycarbonate
  • Lucite - acrylic
  • Lumicor -
  • Lumasite -
  • Optix - acrylic
  • Plexiglas - acrylic
  • Polygal - twinwall polycarbonate (PC)
  • Royalite - 
  • Seaboard - 
  • Sintra - expanded PVC - lightweight sheet used for signage/POP
  • Teflon - 
  • Tuffak - see polycarbonate
  • Vivak - 

Featured Material: 
Twinwall Polycarbonate

Picture
Twin wall or multi-wall polycarbonate (PC) is a low-cost, lightweight, highly durable, weather and UV-resistant plastic material perfect for use in awnings, patios, greenhouses and  numerous other architectural applications -- indoor and out.
Type - Detailed Descriptions - Materials in red are in generally in stock at Mr. Plastics
  • ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) – Electronic equipment cases (e.g., computer monitors, printers, keyboards), drainage pipe.
  • Acetal 
  • Acrylic or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) – One of the most familiar plastics to most consumers; used for displays, windows.
  • Acrylic Mirror 
  • Acrylic/PVC 
  • CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride)
  • ECTFE (ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene)
  • Fiber-filled
  • Fluoroplastics
  • HDPE (high-density polyethylene) – Detergent bottles, milk jugs, and molded plastic cases.
  • HIPS (high-impact polystyrene) -: Refrigerator liners, food packaging, vending cups.
  • Laminates
  • LDPE (low-density polyethylene) – Outdoor furniture, siding, floor tiles, shower curtains, clamshell packaging.
  • Nylon - see PA
  • PA (polyamides) or nylons – Fibers, toothbrush bristles, tubing, fishing line, low strength machine parts: under-the-hood car engine parts or gun frames.
  • PC (polycarbonate) – Compact discs, eyeglasses, riot shields, security windows, traffic lights, lenses.
  • PC/ABS (polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) – A blend of PC and ABS that creates a stronger plastic. Used in car interior and exterior parts, and mobile phone bodies.
  • PCTFE (polychlorotrifluoroethylene) 
  • PE (polyethylene) – Wide range of inexpensive uses including supermarket bags, plastic bottles.
  • PE/ABS (polyethylene/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) – A slippery blend of PE and ABS used in low-duty dry bearings.
  • PEEK (polyether ether ketone) 
  • PES (polyester) – Fibers, textiles.
  • PET (polyethylene terephthalate) – Carbonated drinks bottles, peanut butter jars, plastic film, microwavable packaging.
  • PMMA - see Acrylic
  • PP (polypropylene) – Bottle caps, drinking straws, yogurt containers, appliances, car fenders (bumpers), plastic pressure pipe systems.
  • PPS (polyphenylene sulfide)
  • PS (polystyrene) – Packaging foam/"peanuts", food containers, plastic tableware, disposable cups, plates, cutlery, CD and cassette boxes.
  • PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)
  • PU (polyurethanes) – Cushioning foams, thermal insulation foams, surface coatings, printing rollers (Currently 6th or 7th most commonly used plastic material, for instance the most commonly used plastic in cars).
  • PVC (polyvinyl chloride) – Plumbing pipes and guttering, shower curtains, window frames, flooring.
  • PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride) or SaranWrap – Food packaging.
  • PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride)
  • Styrene - see PS
  • Twinwall PC -
  • UHMW-PE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene)
  • VHMW-PE (very-high molecular weight polyethylene)

* Details courtesy of Wikipedia and our in-house experts!