Materials: 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

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!