Production Materials

We have over 200 line items of injection materials in-house and we can run customer-supplied materials along with sourcing specific materials or colorants that are not readily available. Below is a guide* to some of our "General Purpose" plastic resin materials and their data sheets that we carry in stock.

*This is for reference only. We recommend contacting us directly or the resin manufacturer to assist in determining which material is best suited for your application.

ABS | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
Known for being impact resistant and tough. We have many grades of ABS, including medical grade and flame retardant. ABS has useful characteristics within a temperature range from -40°F to 212°F. Some uses include Lego blocks, automotive body parts, wheel covers, and enclosures.

Acetal
Very strong and exhibits good chemical resistance. Acetal is a tough material with good dimensional stability, naturally lubricating, and remains stable at high temperatures. Delrin 500P has a higher tensile strength compared to 100P, making it stiffer and providing better impact strength. Some uses include gears, springs, plates, bushings, and housings.

LDPE | Low Density Polyethylene
Low density, excellent resistance to acids, alcohols, bases, and esters. It has excellent electrical properties, is often pliable, and can be used for flexible parts, living hinges, and containers.

HDPE | High Density Polyethylene
Rigid, excellent resistance to acids, alcohols, and bases. Often used in food-related products, hinges, pipe fittings, etc.

Nylon 6/6
A versatile engineering thermoplastic. It is strong, rigid, and has a very high melting point. Because of its excellent balance of strength, ductility, and heat resistance, Nylon 6/6 is an outstanding candidate for metal replacement applications. It is impact and abrasion-resistant and also self-lubricating. Some weaknesses of nylon include high water absorption and poor chemical resistance to strong acids and bases. Some uses include bearings, bushings, valves, seats, rollers, and wear surfaces.

Nylon GF | Glass Filled
Has outstanding wear and abrasion resistance, excellent impact resistance, chemical and heat resistance, low friction, and is self-lubricating. 33% Glass Filled has 200% better strength than general purpose nylon. It also reduces warping due to water absorption. Some uses include office chairs, outdoor power equipment, outboard motor covers, and gun stock components.

PC/ABS
A blended material of ABS with polycarbonate which offers a good combination of mechanical and thermal properties. This material offers good impact strength, even in cold temperatures, rigidity, dimensional stability, thermal and color stability. A limitation is poor chemical resistance. Some uses include door handles, electronics housing, computers, and printers.

PC | Polycarbonate
A transparent amorphous polymer which exhibits outstanding physical properties such as impact resistance (almost unbreakable), heat resistance up to 125°C, and excellent clarity. Polycarbonate is often used to replace glass or metal in demanding applications when the temperature does not exceed 125°C. Some uses include power tools, small appliances, Blu-ray discs, safety glasses, and toys.

PLA | Polylactic Acid
A bioplastic used in place of plastics such as polystyrene and ABS. It is biodegradable and made from plants. Many different grades are available. Some uses include cutlery, phone cases, packaging, agriculture, and household goods.

Polypropylene
A tough material with flexibility, which is good for hinged parts. It has good tensile strength and inertness toward acids, alkalis, and solvents. PP has very low density and is lightweight. Some uses include packaging, parts for electronic and electrical appliances, food containers, hinged parts, toys, and household goods.

Polystyrene
A rigid and relatively inexpensive plastic. It has good impact resistance and is food contact acceptable. Used in packaging, containers, toys, etc.

PVC | Polyvinyl Chloride
A durable, long-lasting material that comes in rigid or flexible states. GEON M5200 is a rigid PVC. PVC has inherent flame retardancy and chemical resistance. Some uses include windows, piping, wire insulation, and automotive interiors.

TPE/TPV/TPU | Thermoplastic Elastomers
Have similar properties and feel to natural rubber, but have a longer life. TPEs are good in both hot and cold environments and are often preferred over rubber. They have good tear strength and are often used for over-molding and living hinges. TPVs such as Santoprene chemically bond to certain rigid materials, improving product longevity. Some uses include consumer goods, medical instruments, industrial tools, knobs, handles, gaskets, seals, and grips.

If you have any other questions about plastic resins or have a desire for a custom material or a different material that is not displayed, please contact us at parts@vistatek.com or 651-653-0400.

Information gathered from the following sources:
VistaTek Employee Knowledge, Ides, Dynalab Corp, Wikipedia, Sabic, Omnexus, Premier Plastic Resin, Polyone.