MANUFACTURING MATERIALS
CHEMTECH PLASTICS USES PREMIUM MATERIALS
Select a material for more information
LCP (Vectra®)
LCP stands for liquid crystal polymer, and Vectra® is a brand-name LCP. This type of polymer is halogen-free, eco-friendly, and provides high-temperature performance. In application, it’s both highly precise and stable.
PA (6, 6/6, 4/6, 610)
PA stands for polyamide, which is a semi-crystalline engineering plastic (nylon) known for its good friction, stiffness, strength, and wear resistance. It comes in varying forms, including PA 6, PA 6/6, PA 4/6, and PA 610, each of which is best suited for different applications based on temperature, moisture, and general environment resistance.
PARA
PARA stands for polyarylamides, which are semi-crystalline engineering plastic that is typically reinforced with glass fibers or mineral fillers. PARA is incredibly durable when it comes to strength, rigidity, and fatigue and temperature resistance, with slow and low moisture absorption that is significantly lower than with standard polyamides.
PBT
PBT stands for polybutylene terephthalate. In the electrical and electronics industries, this type of thermoplastic engineering polymer is used as an insulator. PBT is strong, solvent-resistant, and heat-resistant up to 150°C (or 200°C when reinforced with glass fibers). It can also be treated to be noncombustible.
PC
PC stands for polycarbonate. Much like glass, polycarbonate allows for the internal transmission of light, as it’s a naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic. Thanks to its glass-like properties, PC is used in several different everyday applications, including medical devices, automotive components, exterior lighting fixtures, and more.
PC/ABS
PC/ABS stands for polycarbonate-ABS, and it is one of the most widely used industrial thermoplastics, as it combines the best aspects of both materials. PC/ABS has the heat resistance of PC, alongside the bend (flexural) strength of ABS, and it’s used most often in the automotive, electronics, and telecommunications industries.
PEEK
PEEK stands for polyether ether ketone. This high-performance engineering plastic is known for its excellent resistance to harsh chemicals, as well as its hydrolysis resistance to steam, water, and seawater. PEEK also has great mechanical strength and dimensional stability. It is most often used in the aerospace, oil and gas, and food and beverage processing industries, though it can also be used as a semiconductor.
PET
PET refers to polyethylene terephthalate, or polyester, as it’s most commonly known. It is a lightweight, strong, and transparent plastic, most often used in the food and beverage industry to package soft drinks and water. PET is also used to hold personal care items, like shampoo and mouthwash, and cleaning products. It comes in different grades depending on the product, such as food items that must be heated up in the microwave or oven.
PMMA
PMMA, or poly(methyl methacrylate), has many names, though it’s most often referred to as plexiglass, acrylic, or acrylic glass. This material’s uses include as a shatter-resistant alternative to glass—car windows, hockey rinks, and aquariums, to name a few—and bone cement, such as with dentures and bone implants. PMMA is typically preferred over transparent polymer, due to its exceptional light transmission and resistance to weathering and UV rays.
POM
POM, or polyoxymethylene, is known by a few different names, including polyacetal or acetal plastic. This semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic is most often used for high precision components in the automotive, electrical and electronic, and industrial industries. These resins are most often used in parts that require good dimensional stability and sliding properties. POM can also be utilized as a metal alternative, thanks to its low friction and wear.
PEI (Ultem®)
PEI stands for polyetherimide, and Ultem® is a brand-name PEI. This type of thermoplastic is amorphous; amber-to-transparent in color; and very similar to another material, called PEEK. Ultem® is an incredibly strong and stiff plastic that works well in high service temperature environments since it is resistant to hot water and steam. It is most often used in medical and scientific environments, such as in parts for medical instruments.
PPA (Amodel®)
PPA stands for polyphthalamide, and Amodel® is a brand-name PPA. It is most popular in automotive, electronics, consumer, and industrial applications, and it’s often used as a metal alternative. This is because PPA has a high melting point and can maintain its form in aggressive environments. With cars specifically, applications of this material include charge air coolers, clutch cylinders, heater cores, thermostat housings, and water pumps.
PPS (Ryton®)
PPS stands for polyphenylene sulfide, and Ryton® is a brand-name PPS. This semi-crystalline, high-heat polymer is best known for its short- and long-term thermal stability, as well as its great chemical resistance to a variety of different aggressive environments. It is also inherently flame retardant without any additives. When it comes to specific applications, PPS is an ideal material for precision molding at tight tolerances.
PPSU (Radel®)
PPSU stands for polyphenylsulfone (also abbreviated as PPSF), and Radel® is a brand-name PPSU. It is a heat-resistant, chemical-resistant, high-performance thermoplastic that is transparent in color; in fact, it’s the highest performing of all polysulfones. Popular uses of PPSU include battery containers, pipe fittings, medical device parts, and sterilizable products. Other industries where the use of PPSU is popular include the automotive and aerospace industries.
TPE/TPR (TPU)
TPE stands for thermoplastic elastomers, which can also be referred to as thermoplastic rubbers (TPR). One of the most common types of TPE/TPR is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). This type of material shares positive attributes of both rubber and plastic and is easily used in injection molding. Of all the benefits of TPE, the most notable is its ability to stretch and return to almost exactly its original shape.
QUALITY RESINS
Use of high-performance engineering-grade materials
HIGH TEMPERATURES
Extreme heat processing for resins and molds
PRODUCTION CONTROL
High levels of expertise for resins that flash under .0005
Our Materials
The majority of the resins we work with require expert-level skills in order to be processed correctly. Specialized equipment is also necessary in order to process these engineering-grade resins. This includes specific custom molding machines, specific specialized material drying equipment, hot runner controllers, and mold temperature regulators.
DQS-Certified for IATF 16949 : 2016 and ISO 9001 : 2015