• Excellent resistance (no attack) to Formaldehyde, Oils and Alcohols
• Good resistance (no attack) to Methylethylketones
• Limited resistance (moderate attack and suitable for short term use only) to Solvents
• Poor resistance (not recommended for use with) Acids

• Maximum Temperature: 180°F 80°C
• Minimum Temperature: -40°F -40°C
• Autoclavable: No
• Melting Point: 320°F 160°C
• Tensile Strength: 8,800 psi 

• Hardness: R107
• UV Resistance: Poor
• Opaque
• Rigid
• Specific Gravity: 1.41

• Highly machinable
• Excellent for mechanical parts
• Pulleys, sheaves, bearing surfaces
• Gears, bushings, shafts
• Wear resistant surfaces
• Excellent rigidity

ABS Resistance:

ABS Quick Facts:

• Excellent resistance (no attack) to Glycerine, Inorganic Salts, Alkalis, Many Acids, Most Alcohols and Hydrocarbons
• Limited resistance (moderate attack and suitable for short term use only) to Weak Acids
• Poor resistance (not recommended for use with) Strong Acids and Solvents, Ketones, Aldehydes, Esters, and some Chlorinated Hydrocarbons

• Maximum Temperature: 176°F 80°C
• Minimum Temperature: -4°F -20°C
• Autoclavable: No
• Melting Point: 221°F 105°C
• Tensile Strength: 4,300 psi

• Hardness: R110
• UV Resistance: Poor
• Translucent
• Rigid
• Specific Gravity: 1.04

ABS Fabrication:

• It can be thermo-formed, pressure formed, blow molded, sheared, sawed, drilled, or even "cold stamped"
• Joints can be ultrasonic welded, thermo-welded, and chemically bonded
• Impact resistant
• Commonly used for telephone bodies, safety helmets, piping, furniture, car components, TV casings, radios, control panels, and similar
• Valve bodies, material handling equipment

HDPE Resistance:

HDPE Quick Facts:

• Excellent resistance (no attack) to dilute and concentrated Acids, Alcohols and Bases.
• Good resistance (minor attack) to Aldehydes, Esters, Aliphatic and Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Ketones and Mineral and Vegetable Oils.
• Limited resistance (moderate attack and suitable for short term use only) to Halogenated Hydrocarbons and Oxidizing Agents.

• Maximum Temperature: 248°F 120°C
• Minimum Temperature: -148°F -100°C
• Autoclavable: No
• Melting Point: 266°F 130°C
• Tensile Strength: 4550 psi 

• Hardness: SD65
• UV Resistance: Poor
• Translucent
• Rigid
• Specific Gravity: 0.95

HDPE is readily available in many forms such as sheet, rod and tubing for fabrication: 

• Excellent for any food related products, FDA, NSF, and USDA approved for direct contact. This material machines extremely well.
• Good chemical resistance and high rigidity make it a good choice for trays and tanks.
• Other uses include pipe fittings, wear plates, hinges and cutting boards.
• Good impact resistance, light weight, very low moisture absorption, and high tensile strength. Not a good candidate for gluing. Mechanical fastening is one option, but preferably joined by hot air or nitrogen welding. Also, Ultrasonic, Laser, and infrared welding.

LDPE Resistance:

LDPE Quick Facts:

• Excellent resistance (no attack) to dilute and concentrated Acids, Alcohols, Bases and Esters
• Good resistance (minor attack) to Aldehydes, Ketones and Vegetable Oils
• Limited resistance (moderate attack suitable for short term use only) to Aliphatic and Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Mineral Oils and Oxidizing Agents
  
• Poor resistance and not recommended for use with Halogenated Hydrocarbons

• Maximum Temperature: 176°F 80°C
• Minimum Temperature: -58°F -50°C
• Autoclavable: No
• Melting Point: 248°F 120°C
• Tensile Strength: 1700 psi

• Hardness: SD55
• UV Resistance: Poor
• Translucent
• Excellent flexibility
• Specific Gravity: 0.92

LDPE Fabrication:

lon Resistance:

Nylon Quick Facts:

• Excellent resistance (no attack) to Oils, Bases and THF
• Good resistance (no attack) to Solvents, Formaldehyde and Alcohols
• Limited resistance (moderate attack and suitable for short term use only) to Dilute Acids
• Poor resistance (not recommended for use with) Phenols, Alkalis, Iodine and Acids

• Maximum Temperature: 210°F 99°C
• Minimum Temperature: -94°F -70°C 
• Autoclavable: No
• Melting Point: 420°F 216°C
• Tensile Strength: 5,800 psi

• Hardness: R92
• UV Resistance: Good
• Translucent
• Rigid
• Specific Gravity: 1.13

Nylon Fabrication:

• Excellent material for machining
• Tough, strong, and impact resistant material
• Very low coefficient of friction
• Abrasion resistant

• Excellent resistance (no attack) to dilute acids and mineral oils.
• Good resistance (minor attack) to Alcohols and vegetable oils. 
• Limited resistance (moderate attack and suitable for short term use only) to Aldehydes.
• Poor resistance (not recommended for use) with Concentrated Acids, Bases, Esters, Aliphatic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Halogenated Hydrocarbons, Ketones and Oxidizing Agents.

• Maximum Temperature: 250°F 121°C
• Minimum Temperature: -40°F -40°C
• Autoclavable: Ues
• Melting Point: 300°F 149°C
• Tensile Strength: 10,000 psi 

• Hardness: R75
• UV Resistance: Good
• Clear
• Rigid
• Specific Gravity: 1.20

• Polycarbonate is one of the toughest transparent sheets available, about 300 times stronger than single-strength glass.
• Perfect for guards and glazing. Polycarb machines well and brake forms cold.
• Can be joined mechanically, solvent bonded, and welded with lots of practice.
• Typical uses include windows, machine guards, and demonstration shields.
• Typical uses include windows, machine guards, and demonstration shields.

Acrylic Resistance:

Acrylic Quick Facts:

• Excellent resistance (no attack) to Mineral Oils
• Good resistance (minor attack) to Dilute Acids, Aldehydes and Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
• Limited resistance (moderate attack and suitable for short term use only) to Bases
• Poor resistance Poor resistance (not recommended for use) with Concentrated Acids, Alcohols, Esters, Aromatic and Halogenated Hydrocarbons, Ketones, Vegetable Oils and Oxidizing Agents.

• Maximum Temperature: 194°F 90°C
• Minimum Temperature: -76°F -60°C
• Autoclavable: No
• Melting Point: 212°F 100°C
• Tensile Strength: 7,000 psi

• Hardness: R120
• UV Resistance: Good
• Clear
• Rigid
• Specific Gravity: 1.18

• Nearly crystal clear, Acrylic is an excellent choice for display cases, vitrines, and point of purchase items
• Thicker Acrylic material can shield against beta radiation
• Available in a wide array of forms and colors
• Machineable and heat-bendable
• Acrylic can be solvent bonded
• Extruded acrylic can be flame polished to obtain a glass-like finish
• Applications include aquariums, picture frames, shelves, and cabinets

PP Resistance:

Polypropylene Quick Facts:

• Excellent resistance (no attack) to dilute and concentrated Acids, Alcohols, Bases and Mineral Oils
• Good resistance (minor attack) to Aldehydes, Esters, Aliphatic Hydrocarbons, Ketones and Vegetable Oils
• Limited resistance (moderate attack and suitable for short term use only) to Aromatic and Halogenated Hydrocarbons and Oxidizing Agents

• Maximum Temperature: 275°F 135°C
• Minimum Temperature: 32°F 0°C
• Autoclavable: Yes
• Melting Point: 338°F 170°C
• Tensile Strength: 4,500 psi

• Hardness: R95
• UV Resistance: Poor
• Translucent
• Rigid
• Specific Gravity: 0.90

Polypropylene Fabrication:

• Great chemical resistance makes Polypropylene a popular choice for plating and chemical tanks, as well as laboratory cabinetry and semi-conductor bench tops
• This material machines well and is available in many profiles
• Propylene is autoclaveable for usage in biohazardous environments
• Other uses include fittings and connectors, storage containers, sinks, and hoods
• The best joining method is hot air or nitrogen welding. Can be mechanically joined with screws or rivets. Ultrasonic inserts work well

PTFE Resistance:

PTFE Quick Facts

• Maximum Temperature: 572°F 300°C
• Minimum Temperature: 392°F -200°C
• Autoclavable: Yes
• Melting Point: 626°F 330°C 
• Tensile Strength: 6,240 psi

• Hardness: R58
• UV Resistance: Excellent
• Opaque
• Rigid
• Specific Gravity: 2.2

PTFE Fabrication:

• A truly amazing material.
• The lowest coefficient of friction of any solid.
• Excellent choice for gaskets, rings, and bearings.
• Can't be easily glued or welded.
• Machines easily when chilled.
• Available in many forms and shapes.
• PTFE is virtually impervious to chemical attack

PVC Resistance:

Polyvinylchloride Quick Facts:

• Excellent resistance (no attack) to Dilute and Concentrated Acids, Alcohols, Bases, Aliphatic Hydrocarbons and Mineral Oils
• Good resistance (minor attack) to Vegetable Oils and Oxidizing Agents
• Limited resistance (moderate attack and suitable for short term use only) to Aldehydes
• Poor resistance (not recommended for use) with Aldehydes, Esters, Aromatic and Halogenated Hydrocarbons, and Ketones

• Maximum Temperature: 158°F 70°C
• Minimum Temperature: -13°F -25°C
• Autoclavable: No
• Melting Point: 176°F 80°C
• Tensile Strength: 6,500 psi

• Hardness: R105
• UV Resistance: Good
• Clear
• Rigid
• Specific Gravity: 1.34

Polyvinylchloride Fabrication:

• This unique material is glueable and weldable
• Supplied in gray, white, and clear, in sheet, rod, or tubing
• PVC is very machineable and heat bends nicely
• This is a popular material for tanks and fittings
• PVC is commonly used for nuts, bolts, ducts, hoods, and process tanks