Engineering plastics refers to a class of high-performance polymer materials that can be used as structural materials, withstand mechanical stress in a wide temperature range, and used in harsh chemical and physical environments.
1. Heat resistance of engineering plastics
A key factor that needs to be considered when selecting materials is the heat resistance of the materials.
Generally speaking, if you want to increase the maximum working temperature of the material, you need to increase the cost accordingly.
2. The hardness of engineering plastics
One of the biggest advantages of metals compared to plastics is that they have high hardness (the average value is 8 times higher than that of plastics). However, in many practical applications, such high hardness is not required. If necessary, it can be supplemented by flexible design, frame reinforcement and low density. In many cases, hardness is also a key performance.
3. Impact resistance of engineering plastics
In many practical applications, impact resistance is a key performance.
Among these materials, for unfilled materials, polycarbonate PC and its mixture: polycarbonate PC/ABS resin and polycarbonate PC/polybutylene glycol ester PBT have high impact resistance.
These materials are excellent choices when the continuous working temperature does not exceed 100-120°C. The material filled with glass fiber has higher hardness, and the liquid crystal polymer LCP shows outstanding performance.
4. The tear resistance of engineering plastics
Self-lubricity and wear resistance:
A promising area where plastic replaces metal is friction applications, such as gears, pump rotors, engine parts, brake parts, sliding parts, and so on.
5. Chemical resistance of engineering plastics
In some applications, such as engine part, pump part, fuel delivery line, high-performance pipes and accessories, these materials need to withstand harsh working conditions and also many chemical reagents at high temperature, but maintain their mechanical properties and dimensional stability for a long time.
6. Ultraviolet radiation resistance of engineering plastics
When a product is continuously exposed to ultraviolet light, or it is used outdoors, such a material needs to have excellent ultraviolet radiation resistance. Applications of engineering plastics such as automobiles, transportation vehicles, lighting equipment, etc. require excellent weather resistance.
It is impossible to solve the UV radiation resistance of polymers according to general rules, because it greatly depends on the chemical structure of the material and the special aging mechanism. Polymers containing double bonds are usually more sensitive to ultraviolet light (such as ABS resins).
7. Gamma ray resistance of engineering plastics
In some special occasions, materials are often exposed to gamma rays, especially in some medical applications, which often require regular sterilization. Generally, materials containing double bonds or a large number of aliphatic units do not have good resistance to gamma rays.
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