Formech Technical Newsletter - Popular material and applications

In this issue we will focus on popular material and applications. Please contact us if you would like assistance sourcing any of the below materials.

HIPS (High Impact PolyStyrene)

Typical uses: display, packaging & light weight internal applications
Strength: Moderate
Specific gravity: 1.06
Brand names: not well known by brand names from stockists
Formability: Easy
Colours: Black, white & stocked in up to ten different colours in UK
Hygroscopic (needs drying): No
Vac forming temp range: 150 – 175C (302 – 347F)

Conclusion: an entry level plastic, easy to form & not expensive

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Typical uses: enclosures, outdoor applications, marine pods
Strength: impact resistant
Specific gravity: 1.08
Brand names: not well known by brand names from stockists
Formability: Easy but needs drying
Colours: Black, white, grey from stockists in UK
Hygroscopic (needs drying): Yes – 90 minutes per mm
Vac forming temp range: 150 – 180C (302 – 356F)

Conclusion: stronger than HIPS, +/- 35% more expensive

PETG (Polyethylene terephtha- late glycol-modified)

Typical uses: Clear covers & reverse printed signage
Strength: impact resistant
Specific gravity: 1.27
Brand names: Vivak, Spectar
Formability: Easy
Colours: Generally clear
Hygroscopic (needs drying): No
Vac forming temp range: 120 – 160C (248 – 320F)

Conclusion: Easy to form and stronger than HIPS

PET (Polyethylene terephtha- late)

Typical uses: Blister Packaging, tray inserts (RPET or APET)
Strength: impact resistant
Specific gravity: 1.38
Brand names: not well known by brand names from stockists
Formability: Narrow heating band – will crystallise if over heated
Colours: Generally clear
Hygroscopic (needs drying): No
Vac forming temp range: 120 – 160C (248 – 320F)
Conclusion: Good clarity, but will blunt cutters quickly – similar price to thin PVC

PVC (PolyVinylChloride)

Typical uses: Outdoor enclosures, marine pods, blister packaging & tray inserts
Strength: impact resistant
Specific gravity: 1.37
Brand names: Simona, Palram (for thick sheet over 0.75mm)
Formability: Fairly easy although if burnt gives off hydrochloric acid
Colours: various in thicker sheets
Hygroscopic (needs drying): No
Vac forming temp range: 140 – 190C ( 284 – 374F)
Conclusion: Not as popular in every market

HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene)

Typical uses: Outdoor play equipment, pond liners
Strength: very impact resistant
Specific gravity: 0.96
Brand names: not well known by brand names from stockists
Formability: webs easily due to stretching and will seek out any gaps in tooling & lose vacuum
Colours: Limited from stock – generally black
Hygroscopic (needs drying): No
Vac forming temp range: 150 – 180C (302 – 356F)
Conclusion: Very good impact resistance, tricky to get good results – similar price to PP

PP (PolyPropylene)

Typical uses: Outdoor furniture and packaging applications
Strength: Rugged and chemical resistant
Specific gravity: 0.91
Brand names: not well known by brand names from stockists
Formability: webs easily due to stretching and will seek out any gaps in tooling & lose vacuum
Colours: Limited from stock – generally black, white and natural
Hygroscopic (needs drying): No
Vac forming temp range: 150 – 180C (302 – 356F)
Conclusion: Very good impact resistance, tricky to get good results – similar price to HDPE

PC (PolyCarbonate)

Typical uses: R/C car bodies, riot shields, machine guards and skylights
Strength: Rigid and high impact resistance
Specific gravity: 1.2
Brand names: Lexan, Makrolon and Palsun
Formability: Challenging to get optical clarity
Colours: usually clear or tinted from stockists
Hygroscopic (needs drying): Yes
Vac forming temp range: 170 - 205C (338 - 401F)
Conclusion: Very good impact resistance, tricky to get good clear results – +/- 35% more than PETG

Extruded PMMA Poly(methyl methacrylate)

Typical uses: Display & signage
Strength: Can be brittle, but weather resistant
Specific gravity: 1.19
Brand names: Acryglas XT, Quinn XT
Formability: Good
Colours: Clear and a range of colours
Hygroscopic (needs drying): Yes
Vac forming temp range: 150 - 175C (302 - 347F)
Conclusion: Brittle – low impact resistance, good weather resistance for outdoors

Cast PMMA Poly(methyl meth- acrylate)

Typical uses: Display, signage and window applications
Strength: Can be brittle, but weather resistant
Specific gravity: 1.19
Brand names: Acrycast, Perspex, Plexiglas & Lucite
Formability: Poor. Will only form into gentle cavities unless assisted by plug assist
Colours: Clear and a large range of colours
Hygroscopic (needs drying): Yes
Vac forming temp range: 150 - 175C (302 - 347F)
Conclusion: Brittle – low impact resistance, good weather resistance for outdoors, very good optical clarity

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