Specialists in Plastic Extrusion

Plastic Extrusion Materials

The choice of thermoplastic material needs to be carefully considered depending on the application use. Some extrusion materials are UV stable and have higher heat resistance, give good clarity (PETG) or are more flexible than others.

We are a plastics and PVC extrusions specialist and use a variety of materials. The properties of the more popular ones are shown including UPVC (Rigid PVC), Cellular PVC, flexible PVC, ABS, HIP (Polystyrene), Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polycarbonate, PC/ABS alloys, Nylon 6 and Clear PETG.

This list is not exhaustive and we are always trialling new extrusion materials. If your specific requirements are not shown on either of our extrusion material pages, please contact our Technical Sales Representative.

Material Type	Specific Gravity	Softening Temp °C	Properties	Typical Uses
UPVC (Rigid PVC extrusions)	1.4 – 1.6	65 – 75	Extremely versatile Wide range of colours and grades (including clear grades) Indoor and outdoor use Food grades available Low cost	Windows, tubes, trunking, shrouds, glazing, cladding, trims, packaging, inserts, ticketing strips, toys, point of sale, tile edge trims, crack inducers
Cellular PVC extrusion	0.6 – 0.9	65 – 75	Extremely light in weight Can be produced with or without skin Indoor or outdoor use Low cost Can be nailed	Building and window products (i.e. cladding, skirting, architraves etc), finishing trims, wood replacement applications
PVC (flexible PVC extrusion)	1.2 – 1.6	–	Various softness up to semi-rigid Wide range of colours and grades plus clear Used mainly indoors, some external use Filled or unfilled grades available Low cost	Hosing, gaskets, seals, fenders, pelmets, bumpers, handrails, sleeves, straps, trims, ‘T’ barbed edging strips, water stops, medical tubing
ABS ASA (Outdoor grade)	1.0 – 1.2	85 – 105	Clear grades Good high and low temperature performance Good adhesive properties Mainly internal use Most grades are food approved Good rigidity and chemical resistance High impact, medium cost Fire resistant grades available Outdoor grades	Water transfer tubing Cold rooms Freezer cabinets Toys
H.I.P (Polystyrene) Styrosun (Outdoor grade)	1.0	70 – 75	Mostly used indoors Some external use Good adhesive properties Range of colours also clear grades available Medium cost Fire resistant grades available Outdoor grades	Toys Light diffusers Point of sale Film cores
POLYETHYLENE High and low density	0.97 (HD) 0.91 (LD)	65	Good resistance to chemical environments Used indoors and outdoors Good low temperature performance Low toxicity levels, low cost, tough Low smoke, zero halogen grades available	Toys, water and gas pipe, tubes, packaging, protective trims
POLYPROPYLENE Homo-polymer and co-polymer	0.90	90	Good resistance to chemical environments Extremely tough but the co-polymer hinges well Good high temperature performance Mainly indoor but some external use Low toxicity levels, LSOH grades available Bio-degradable, low cost Homo-polymer is clearer and stiffer	Non load bearing hinges, toys, tubing, protective plant and tree sleeves, oil pump tubes
CLEAR P.E.T.G	1.27	75	Food approved High clarity High impact Medium cost UV stable grades available	Packaging tubes, point of sale, card shelves, menu holders, electronic component carrier tubes
CLEAR IMPACT ACRYLIC STANDARD ACRYLIC	1.20	80	High clarity Good impact resistance Medium cost Good light transmission	Point of sale, card shelves, menu holders, lighting applications
POLYCARBONATE	1.20	120	Good high temperature performance Extremely strong Wide range of grades available including U.V. stabilised and superior flame retardant grades Clear and opaque grades available Higher cost Limited chemical resistance	Light diffusers, low voltage light tubes for marking and directing applications Roof trims Light box
PC/ABS ALLOYS	1.2	110	Good high temperature performance Superior flame retardant properties Reasonable chemical resistance	Electrical shrouds Profiles that call for superior flame retardance
NYLON 6	1.2	85	Many grades available Cheapest nylon Good fatigue resistance Some moisture pick-up Low friction and wear properties	Automotive applications Pump immersion tubes for Barrels Pneumatic airline tubing for machinery, Rods, Tubing
NB	The above information is to be used as a general guide only and may be subject to change.

Copyright Condale Plastics Ltd. 2008 - Specialists in thermoplastic extrusion

Independent Business Park, Imberhorne Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1TU - UK

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