Materials

A semi-crystalline thermoplastic belonging to the polyolefin family. It is used in many industries due to its ease of processing and the wide range of applications for which it is suitable. It has good resistance to temperature and chemicals, including both acids and aqueous solutions containing salts.

It is precisely these qualities that make it the most widely used thermoplastic in the mechanical, chemical, and automotive industries; since it has lower tensile and compressive strength values than other engineering plastics, it is often used as a compound containing varying percentages of the following fillers:

-Fiberglass: It enables the production of advanced structural materials by providing high mechanical strength and resilience.

-Carbon fiber: provides the compound with lightness and high mechanical strength in applications that require advanced performance as well as aesthetic appeal.

-Talc: improves creep resistance and elastic modulus.

Range di temperatura di utilizzo: +0°C /90°C

Engineered polymers used in high-tech applications or in particularly harsh environments. The addition of fluorine to these materials increases their chemical resistance.

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride)

A partially fluorinated polymer that is easier to process than other fluoroplastics using standard processing equipment.

Excellent resistance to chemicals and corrosion caused by strong acids and solvents.

Higher mechanical strength than other fluorinated polymers, as well as high stiffness, combined with low friction and abrasion resistance, make it suitable for applications requiring resistance to high temperatures or for piping in the chemical industry.

To improve its mechanical properties—specifically strength and stiffness—while maintaining a low specific weight, fillers such as carbon fiber are used. This allows it to be used in a wide range of industries.

Temperature range: -40°C / 150°C.

An amorphous terpolymer belonging to the styrene resin family, with excellent mechanical properties.

Rigid and tough even at low temperatures, it has high hardness and good scratch resistance.

It is resistant only to certain acids and alkaline solutions. It is not resistant to benzene, oils, or solvents. Adding glass fibers increases the elastic modulus and mechanical strength at the expense of toughness. ABS resins are typically used for automotive components, pipes, and fittings.

Operating temperature range: -40°C to +80°C, depending on the model.

Also known as polystyrene, it is an aromatic thermoplastic polymer. It is hard, transparent, and rigid, but also brittle, since it is a glassy solid at room temperature. Chemically, it is inert to many corrosive agents and soluble in many solvents, such as acetone and benzene; it is used in combination with other components to improve its mechanical, chemical, or light-resistance properties.

Operating temperature range: -40°C to +70°C, depending on the type.

Polyamides (commercially known as nylon) are a type of thermoplastic material widely used due to their excellent mechanical properties. They have a low coefficient of friction and good wear resistance.

The temperature range and mechanical properties are influenced by the type of polyamide, which is classified based on the number of carbon atoms in each monomer. The main types include PA6, PA6.6, PA11, and glass-fiber-reinforced PA.

- Nylon 6: sIt is structurally as strong as nylon 6,6 at room temperature, but it absorbs moisture more quickly and loses strength as temperature and humidity increase. Products made from it can be easily processed. It melts at approximately 228 °C and is used in the production of fibers.

-Nylon 6,6: A widely used polyamide on the market, it is a crystalline, translucent material that melts at approximately 269 °C. It is the most temperature-resistant of its kind, but under normal climatic conditions, it absorbs more than 2% moisture from the air. Water acts as a plasticizer, reducing the modulus while increasing impact resistance and flexural strength in humid environments.

-Nylon 11: Its properties fall somewhere between those of nylon 6 and polyethylene. It has good impact resistance, hardness, and abrasion resistance, although its mechanical properties are inferior to those of most other polyamides.

Given its significant ability to absorb moisture from the air, its use in contact with water is not recommended if strict tolerances must be met.

A distinction is typically made between polyamides reinforced with molybdenum disulfide—which reduce the coefficient of friction and increase stiffness—and polyamides reinforced with glass fiber—which greatly increase the elastic modulus.

It is an aromatic polyamide reinforced with glass fibers to achieve high tensile strength comparable to that of certain metals. Given its high stiffness and resistance to numerous chemicals—including oils, hydrocarbons, and chlorinated solvents—it can be used as a substitute for other polymers. Very easy to process, it is used in the automotive and transportation industries, as well as in the healthcare and electronic components sectors.

The operating temperature varies depending on the type, up to 130°.

An amorphous polymer also known commercially as Plexiglas, characterized by high gloss and transparency. Because of these properties, it is used as a substitute for glass in products that require resistance to sunlight and weather conditions. Applications include automotive headlights and optical fibers, with uses ranging from the medical field to interior accessories and furnishings.

Maximum operating temperature: +60°C

A crystalline polymer also known as acetal resin. It has good chemical resistance, high stiffness, good toughness, and dimensional stability. This makes it suitable for use as a mechanical component (gears, bushings, pipe fittings, pump housings) because it absorbs very little moisture. It is often reinforced with glass fiber or carbon fiber to improve its mechanical properties.

Operating temperature range: -40°C to +80°C.

A polymer used as a substitute for glass due to its transparency; it possesses high mechanical strength and impact resistance. One of the toughest thermoplastic polymers, it is very lightweight and easy to process. It has low water absorption and good chemical resistance to fats, oils, and organic solvents. Typical applications include the automotive, medical, construction, and consumer goods industries.

Operating temperature range: –190°C to +130°C, depending on the type.

The simplest of the synthetic polymers and the most widely marketed of the plastics. The following can be distinguished:

-HDPE (high-density polyethylene): a polymer with few branches that has greater tensile strength and hardness than its low-density counterpart, and can withstand even higher temperatures than LDPE (approximately 110°C).

-LDPE (low-density polyethylene): It has more branches than the high-density version and therefore lower tensile strength but greater resilience. It can continuously withstand temperatures of 80°C. It exhibits excellent chemical resistance to dilute solutions of acids, alcohols, bases, and esters.

Widely used for food packaging, in the chemical industry, and in the automotive industry.

A thermoplastic with an amorphous structure, it has a high elastic modulus and is highly resistant to impact and corrosion. It possesses excellent chemical resistance, particularly against acids, which is why it is widely used in the electroplating and petrochemical industries.

Operating temperature range: -10°C to +70°C.

A partially crystalline engineering polymer with high thermal and chemical resistance. It has low water absorption. Since it can be used in continuous operation at temperatures up to 210°C and is resistant to corrosive liquids, it is often used in products such as impellers for acid pumps. It can be reinforced with glass fiber to improve its thermal stability and hardness.

Widely used in the plumbing, electrical, and automotive industries.

A semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer with excellent mechanical properties and chemical resistance, even at high temperatures. Compared to most other materials, it melts at a relatively high temperature (approximately 340°C).

It is easy to machine in its solid state, offers high resistance to abrasion and wear, and has a high modulus of elasticity. It has low moisture absorption and is resistant to most solvents, such as oils, acids, and salts.

Used in various industries—from the medical, aerospace, and automotive sectors—where it must withstand extreme conditions.