Materials for your custom plastic parts.
Compare practical characteristics and typical uses, then bring your operating conditions, drawing and grade requirements into the review.
Find the family. Define the grade.
Each short guide covers the characteristics, applications and checks that help frame a component discussion.
An opaque thermoplastic commonly considered for detailed housings and covers where appearance, moldability and everyday impact performance need to work together.
Polycarbonate is considered for clear covers and technical housings where transparency or impact performance guides the brief. Clear, translucent and opaque grades serve different requirements.
A family of opaque polycarbonate/ABS blends used in technical housings and visible components. The selected blend determines the balance of impact, heat behavior and processability.
Polyamide materials are used for functional molded parts such as gears, brackets and connectors. The PA type, reinforcement and moisture condition need to be considered together.
Polypropylene is widely considered for lightweight cases, trays, caps and household parts. Homopolymer, copolymer and modified grades suit different stiffness and impact requirements.
PBT is an engineering polyester considered for connectors, housings and technical components where dimensional and electrical requirements guide material selection.
PMMA is considered for clear, colored or light-facing parts where optical appearance is central to the product. Grade and surface requirements need to match the intended component.
POM is used for functional parts such as gears, bushings and small mechanical components where sliding behavior, stiffness and dimensional fit matter.
ASA is considered for visible molded components where weather exposure and color appearance are important. Outdoor performance still needs to be matched to the actual grade and use conditions.
GPPS is a transparent, rigid polystyrene family considered for clear boxes, display details and selected packaging components. Impact and use conditions need particular attention during selection.
PEEK is a high-performance thermoplastic considered for demanding technical parts. The grade, processing route and validation requirements need a focused review against the operating conditions.
Four practical starting points.
Visible housings
Start with appearance, handling and the component environment.
Clear or light-facing parts
Define clarity, diffusion and important optical surfaces.
Moving or loaded details
Describe contact, movement, loads and dimensional requirements.
Three questions before choosing a grade.
What will the part face?
Provide temperature, moisture, sunlight, cleaners and other chemical exposure.
What must it do?
Define loading, movement, contact, fit and the dimensions that carry the function.
What needs to be approved?
Identify appearance references, required tests, specified grades and any contact or compliance requirements.
Make the comparison specific.
Does a material name define its final performance?
No. Grades, reinforcement, additives and processing differ within a family. Review actual supplier data and the component requirements.
Can we compare alternatives to a specified resin?
Share the existing grade and the performance or cost objective. Any proposed alternative needs a grade-level review and agreed validation.
What should we send for a material discussion?
Provide the drawing, intended use, operating conditions, target quantity and any specified grade, appearance reference or required tests.
Tell us what your part needs to do.
Share your drawing and use conditions to begin the material and manufacturing discussion.