Polymer grades

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene — the most widely used amorphous engineering/commodity thermoplastic. Excellent balance of toughness, rigidity, and processability. Good surface finish and paintability. Not UV-stable without additives. Trade names include Novodur (INEOS Styrolution), Terluran (INEOS), Cycolac (SABIC). Used for automotive interior trim, appliance housings (vacuum cleaners, monitors), LEGO bricks, 3D printing filament, and pipe fittings.

UV-resistant alternative to ABS — acrylic rubber replaces butadiene for excellent weatherability. Retains color and gloss outdoors for years without coating. Similar mechanical properties to ABS but with 10× better UV resistance. Trade names: Luran S (BASF/INEOS), Geloy (SABIC). Used for automotive exterior trim, outdoor electrical housings, garden furniture, and building cladding.

Ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber — THE outdoor/weather elastomer. Saturated backbone gives outstanding ozone, UV, and weathering resistance. Excellent resistance to steam, hot water, and polar solvents. NOT resistant to oils/fuels (opposite of NBR). Good electrical insulation. ρ 0.85-1.3 (lightest common rubber). Used for automotive door/window seals, roofing membranes, radiator hoses, HVAC gaskets, and pond liners.

Fluoroelastomer — THE high-temperature and chemical-resistant rubber. Outstanding resistance to oils, fuels, acids, and solvents at temperatures up to 200°C (short-term 230°C). Fluorine content (64-70%) determines chemical resistance. Trade names: Viton (Chemours), Tecnoflon (Solvay), Dai-El (Daikin). 5-10x more expensive than NBR. Used for aerospace fuel seals, chemical process seals, automotive fuel injector O-rings, semiconductor processing, and any seal exposed to aggressive chemicals at high temperature.

Liquid Crystal Polymer — self-reinforcing aromatic polyester with outstanding flow into thin walls (<0.2mm). Extremely low moisture absorption (0.02%), minimal warpage, excellent dimensional stability. Near-zero creep. Inherently flame-retardant (V-0 at 0.2mm). Very high HDT (>270°C). Trade names: Vectra (Celanese), Zenite (DuPont), Siveras (Toray). THE micro-connector and SMT-reflow-compatible polymer. Used for SMD connectors, fiber optic ferrules, chip carriers, sensors, and ultra-thin-wall electronic housings.

Nitrile butadiene rubber (Buna-N) — THE oil and fuel resistant elastomer. ACN content (18-50%) determines the oil resistance vs low-temp flexibility tradeoff. Higher ACN = better oil resistance but stiffer at low temp. The most widely used seal material worldwide. Used for O-rings, fuel hoses, gaskets, hydraulic seals, oil seals, and nitrile gloves. Not suitable for ozone, UV, or polar solvents (ketones, esters). HNBR variant for higher heat resistance.

Polyamide 11 — bio-based engineering thermoplastic derived from castor oil (ricinus). Lower moisture absorption than PA6/PA66 (0.9% vs 2.5-8%), better chemical resistance, and excellent low-temperature impact. 11 carbon atoms between amide groups = long aliphatic chain = more flexible/tough. Trade name: Rilsan (Arkema). Used for flexible tubing (automotive fuel/brake lines, pneumatic), offshore flexible pipes, powder coating, and SLS 3D printing (PA 2200 alternative).

Polyamide 12 — the long-chain polyamide with the lowest moisture absorption of all PA grades (0.1-0.15% vs PA6: 1.5%). Excellent dimensional stability in humid environments. Best chemical resistance among polyamides (oils, fuels, hydraulic fluids). Lowest density of all PA (1.01 g/cm³). Also the dominant 3D printing (SLS/MJF) material. Trade names include Rilsamid (Arkema), Grilamid L (EMS), TECAMID 12 (Ensinger), Vestamid L (Evonik). Used for fuel lines, brake lines, pneumatic tubing, cable sheathing, and 3D-printed functional parts.

Polyamide 46 — highest melting point (295°C) of all commercial polyamides. Short amide spacing gives high crystallinity (70%+), outstanding stiffness retention at elevated temperatures, and excellent fatigue/creep resistance. Higher moisture absorption than PA66 but better hot properties. Trade name: Stanyl (DSM/now Envalior). Used for under-hood automotive (timing chain tensioners, piston guides), EV motor insulation, connectors requiring >150°C continuous service, and SMT-solderable components.

Polyamide 6 (Nylon 6) — the most widely used engineering thermoplastic. Excellent combination of mechanical strength, toughness, wear resistance, and chemical resistance. Properties are moisture-sensitive — conditioned (50% RH) values are significantly lower than dry values. Trade names include Ultramid B (BASF), Akulon (DSM), Zytel (DuPont). Used for gears, bearings, bushings, cable ties, structural brackets, and automotive under-hood components.

Polyamide 6 with 30% short glass fiber reinforcement — the industry standard for metal replacement in structural injection-molded parts. UTS doubles vs unfilled PA6 (175 vs 80 MPa), stiffness triples (E-Mod 9.5 vs 3.0 GPa), and HDT jumps to 200°C+. The classic materialref.com differentiation case: Ultramid B3WG6 (BASF) = Zytel 73G30 (DuPont) = Durethan BKV 30 (LANXESS) = Akulon K224-G6 (DSM) = Grilon BG-30 (EMS) = Technyl C216 V30 (Domo) — all the same base material. Used for automotive brackets, engine covers, power tool housings, electrical connectors, and structural inserts.

PA6 with 50% short glass fiber — maximum common GF loading. Very high stiffness (E-Mod ~16 GPa) and strength (UTS ~210 MPa dry) approaching short-fiber-reinforced thermoset territory. Very low elongation (2-3%). High moisture sensitivity retained from PA6 base. Trade names: Ultramid B3EG10 (BASF), Zytel 73G50 (DuPont). Used for structural automotive parts (front-end carriers, pedal brackets), industrial housings, and metal-replacement applications requiring maximum stiffness at minimum cost.

Polyamide 6 with 15% short glass fiber reinforcement — moderate stiffness increase (E-Mod ~5.5 GPa vs 2.7 unfilled) while retaining good impact strength and elongation. Better toughness than higher-filled grades (GF30, GF50). Trade names: Ultramid B3EG3 (BASF), Zytel 73G15 (DuPont). Used for structural clips, housings, brackets, and under-hood automotive parts where moderate stiffness with good impact is needed.

Polyamide 610 — partially bio-based (sebacic acid from castor oil). Bridge between PA6 (high moisture) and PA11/PA12 (low moisture). Good balance of stiffness, toughness, and moisture resistance. Lower water absorption than PA6/PA66 (~1.4% saturated vs 8-9%). Used for monofilaments (brush bristles, fishing line), cable ties, automotive fluid-handling, and applications needing PA stiffness with better dimensional stability in humid environments.

Polyamide 612 — partially bio-based (dodecanedioic acid from palm kernel oil). Even lower moisture absorption than PA610 (~0.9% saturated vs ~1.4%). Better dimensional stability than PA6/PA66 in humid environments. Trade names: Zytel 151/158 (DuPont), Vestamid D (Evonik). Used for precision gears, cable ties, fuel system components, and monofilaments. Between PA610 and PA12 in the moisture/stiffness spectrum.

Polyamide 66 — stiffer and more heat-resistant than PA6. Higher crystallinity gives better creep resistance and ~40°C higher melting point (260°C vs 220°C). Slightly more brittle. More moisture-sensitive at saturation than PA6. Trade names include Ultramid A (BASF), Zytel 101 (DuPont), Tecamid 66 (Ensinger). Dominant in US/UK markets. Used for automotive engine components, electrical connectors, gears, cable ties, and industrial bushings.

PA66 with 15% short glass fiber — light reinforcement giving a good balance of increased stiffness and retained toughness. Less brittle than GF30/GF50 variants (El ~5% vs 3%). E-Mod ~6 GPa (vs 3 unfilled, 9.5 GF30). Trade names: Ultramid A3EG3 (BASF), Zytel 70G15 (DuPont). Used for structural clips, cable ties, fan shrouds, and housings where moderate stiffness increase is needed without sacrificing too much impact resistance.

Polyamide 66 with 30% short glass fiber — stronger and more heat-resistant than PA6 GF30 due to higher-Tm base polymer. UTS ~190 MPa dry, HDT ~250°C. THE automotive under-hood material for structural brackets. Trade names include Ultramid A3WG6 (BASF), Zytel 70G30 (DuPont), Durethan AKV 30 (LANXESS), Technyl A218 V30 (Domo). Used for engine brackets, radiator end tanks, air intake manifolds, and electrical connectors.

Polyamide 9T — semi-aromatic PA based on 1,9-nonanediamine and terephthalic acid. Lowest moisture absorption of any semi-crystalline polyamide (<0.3% at 50% RH). Tm 300-310°C, excellent dimensional stability. Kuraray exclusive: Genestar. Superior to PA6T in processability (lower Tm) while maintaining high-temp performance. Used for SMT connectors (reflow-compatible), automotive ECU housings, LED reflectors, and precision mechanical parts requiring minimal moisture-induced dimensional change.

Polybutylene Terephthalate — semi-crystalline polyester with fast crystallization (short cycle times), very low moisture absorption (0.15%), excellent dimensional stability, and good electrical properties. Key advantage over PA: properties nearly independent of humidity. Trade names include Ultradur (BASF), Celanex/Crastin (Celanese/DuPont), Valox (SABIC), Arnite T (DSM). Used for electrical connectors, relay housings, automotive sensors, and any precision part in humid environments.

Polybutylene Terephthalate with 30% glass fiber — THE connector and electrical component material. Key advantage over PA6 GF30: near-zero moisture absorption (0.02-0.2%), so mechanical and electrical properties are stable regardless of humidity. Lower UTS than PA6 GF30 but consistent. Trade names include Ultradur B4300 G6 (BASF), Valox 420 (SABIC), Celanex (Celanese), Crastin (DuPont). Used for electrical connectors, relay housings, coil formers, automotive sensors, and any part requiring dimensional stability in humid environments.

Polycarbonate — the transparent high-impact engineering plastic. Amorphous with outstanding impact strength (virtually unbreakable at room temp), optical clarity (~90% light transmission), and good heat resistance (Tg 145-150°C). Trade names include Lexan (SABIC), Makrolon (Covestro). Used for safety glazing, machine guards, automotive headlamp lenses, CDs/DVDs, riot shields, and electronic housings.

Polycarbonate + ABS blend — one of the most widely used industrial thermoplastic alloys. Combines PC impact strength and heat resistance with ABS processability and lower cost. Better chemical resistance than pure PC. Properties tunable by PC/ABS ratio. Trade names include Bayblend (Covestro), Cycoloy (SABIC), Pulse (Techpolymers). Used for automotive dashboards, laptop/phone housings, power tool casings, and 3D printing (FDM filament).

High Density Polyethylene — the highest-volume plastic globally (>30M tons/year). Linear chains with minimal branching give higher density and strength vs LDPE. Excellent chemical resistance, FDA/food-safe, very low moisture absorption, and good impact resistance down to -30°C. Used for pipes, bottles, containers, fuel tanks, cutting boards, playground equipment, and geomembranes.