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Choosing the right performance plastic for your project is important for its long-term success. The wrong choice can increase wear, cause unplanned downtime, and drive up maintenance and replacement costs. 

You don’t have to be an expert in performance plastics to make the right choice. Understanding a few key factors can guide you toward the best material for your application.

What Are Performance Plastics?

Not all plastics are created equally. Most plastics are considered single-use commodity plastics. These are used for general purposes due to their low cost and ease of production.

Multi-use performance plastics are engineered for demanding applications, offering superior temperature, chemical, and mechanical properties.

Key Factors to Consider Before Selecting a Performance Plastic

Each high performance plastic has unique properties that make it ideal for specific applications. 

Here are some key factors to consider:

• Operating Environment- The operating environment plays a critical role in material performance. Each performance plastic is engineered with specific conditions in mind ranging from high temperatures, chemical exposure, and even moisture. 

• Mechanical Requirements- Considering how the part will be used is important in determining which plastic to use. Factors like load-bearing, impact strength, and wear resistance vary between types of performance plastics.

• Regulatory & Safety Requirements- Meeting regulatory and safety requirements protects equipment, products, and work environments. Performance plastics can differ in whether they are FDA/USDA or medical-grade compliant for example.

• Dimensional Stability & Tolerances- How well a part can maintain its size and shape during manufacturing is determined by the type of plastic used. Each plastic has different degrees of dimensional stability and tolerances that impact what they can be used for.

• Cost vs Performance Trade Off- While performance plastics range in cost, with proper selection, their durability and performance can reduce long-term maintenance and replacement expenses.

Comparing Popular Performance Plastics

Engineered for specific uses, performance plastics require a clear understanding of your needs to simplify material selection.

Here’s an overview of a few popular performance plastics:

• UHMW- Engineered for wear resistance, low friction, and FDA compliance, UHMW is commonly used in conveyor components and wear strips.

• Nylon- Known for its strength and ability to handle high loads and impacts, nylon is suitable for bearings, bushings, and gears.

• Acetal (Common trade name Delrin)- Ideal for precision machining, Acetal is low friction and dimensionally stable making it a popular choice for food processing components.

• PTFE (Common trade name Teflon)- Known for its chemical resistance, PTFE offers non-stick, high temperature performance, making it ideal for seals and gaskets.

• PEEK- Engineered to handle extreme environments, PEEK provides excellent heat tolerance, chemical resistance, and wear performance. Common applications include semiconductor components and medical devices.

Common Mistakes When Selecting Performance Plastics

Choosing the wrong material can increase costs and cause project delays. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Choosing based on cost alone
• Ignoring environmental factors
• Over-specifying and wasting budget
• Not consulting with a plastics expert early

Conclusion: How Eagle Performance Helps You Choose Correctly

Choosing the right performance plastic doesn’t have to be complex. The Eagle Performance Plastics team helps engineers and manufacturers choose the best material for their application, saving time, reducing costs, and ensuring every part is machined with precision and care.

The right plastic saves you time, money, and maintenance headaches. Contact Eagle today to talk to a  material specialist!