THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS

Selecting the correct material is an important process which will ultimately affect how your product functions in its application.  We work with leading material suppliers to ensure your product is made of superior quality.

The following chart provides advantages, disadvantages, and popular applications for some of the materials that Formtech extrudes.  It is not a complete list of materials.  Additives may be used to meet your specific needs.  We offer:

  • Clear extrusions  - Use rigid PVC, flexible PVC, acrylic, butyrate, or polycarbonate materials.
      • A clear portion of the profile can be combined with a colored portion of a profile. 
      • Clear material can be tinted to achieve a slight tint or translucent appearance.  Tinting can also help reduce glare.
      • Clear extrusions can be used for light transmission.  Light transmission values vary with the type of plastic, and there are even grades within a plastic material family that have different values. Generally, polycarbonate or acrylic compounds are chosen when high light transmission qualities are needed.  Polycarbonate grades typically vary from 86-90% light transmission, while some acrylic compounds can achieve values as high as 92%.
  • Recycled materials  - For many extrusions, recycled plastic materials can be processed efficiently and provide a lower cost option to virgin materials.  However, they are not recommended for products requiring tight tolerances or a highly consistent appearance.
  • Wood Plastic Composite  - Combines the properties of thermoplastic material with the properties of wood.  This results in a material that has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion, a higher heat deflection temperature, and a higher modulus of elasticity than the base thermoplastic in the compound.  In addition, WPC profiles can be embossed and/or extruded with other materials (including capstocks) to provide additional functional and/or aesthetic advantages. More information
  • Custom Material Formulations  -  Add impact modifiers, antimicrobial, UV stabilizers, anti-static modifiers, and more.
  • Color  - Color matching to PMS, color chip, mating part or another product;  tinting clear compounds,

ABS

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

Popular Applications:
Electrical applications

ADVANTAGES:
  • Impact resistance and toughness
  • Wide temperature range
  • Flame retardant
  • High HDT (heat deflection temperature)
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Moderate moisture and chemical resistance
  • Poor UV performance in natural form
  • Cost
  • ACRYLIC

    Polymethyl methacrylate

    Popular Applications:
    Lenses

    ADVANTAGES:
  • Weather resistant
  • UV stable
  • Stain and water resistant (easily cleanable)
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Lower impact strength than many alternatives
  • Cost
  • ASA

    Acrylonitrile stryrene acrylate

    Popular Applications:
    Capstock for outdoor applications

    ADVANTAGES:
  • Highly weatherable
  • Does not yellow easily when exposed to UV/flourescent light
  • High impact resistance
  • DISADVANTAGES:

    • Cost
    • Not resistant to harsh acids

    Butyrate

    Butyrate

    Popular Applications:
    Retail store displays
    Cold temperature exposure

    ADVANTAGES:
  • High impact resistance, even in cold temperatures
  • Extremely clear
  • UV resistant
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Cost
  • Odor
  • WPC

    Wood plastic composite

    Popular Applications:
    Window and door components
    Garage door components

    ADVANTAGES:
  • Lower COE and higher HDT than PVC
  • Termite and mold resistant
  • Some combinations are paintable and/or stainable
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Can be brittle, depending on formulation
  • PC

    Polycarbonate

    Popular Applications:
    Electrical components
    “Green” applications

    ADVANTAGES:
  • Flame resistant
  • Impact resistant
  • Heat resistant
  • Considered more "green" than PVC
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Not recommended for contact with food
  • Cost
  • Not UV stable in natural form (can yellow)
  • HDPE

    High density polyethylene

    Popular Applications:
    Milk jugs (not extruded)
    Packaging

    ADVANTAGES:
  • Impact resistant
  • Chemical resistant
  • Food contact acceptable
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Poor UV performance in natural form
  • Low abrasion resistance
  • Flammable
  • MDPE

    Medium density polyethylene

    Popular Applications:
    Packaging

    ADVANTAGES:
  • Impact resistant
  • Chemical resistant
  • Food contact acceptable
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Poor UV performance in natural form
  • Low abrasion resistance
  • Flammable
  • LDPE

    Low density polyethylene

    Popular Applications:
    Packaging, Specialty tubing

    ADVANTAGES:
  • Impact resistant
  • Chemical resistant
  • Food contact acceptable
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Poor UV performance in natural form
  • Low abrasion resistance
  • Flammable
  • LLDPE

    Linear low density polyethylene

    Popular Applications:
    Packaging, Specialty tubing

    ADVANTAGES:
  • Impact resistant
  • Chemical resistant
  • Food contact acceptable
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Poor UV performance in natural form
  • Low abrasion resistance
  • Flammable
  • PP

    Polypropylene

    Popular Applications:
    Water Bottles (not extruded)
    Living Hinges

    ADVANTAGES:
  • Impact resistant
  • Chemical resistant
  • Food contact acceptable
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Poor UV performance in natural form
  • Low abrasion resistance
  • Flammable
  • PS

    Polystyrene

    Popular Applications:
    Packaging, Retail tags that may come in contact with food

    ADVANTAGES:
  • Generally approved for contact with food
  • Lightweight
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Brittle
  • Not resistant to weather exposure in natural form
  • Weak heat resistance
  • Flexible PVC

    Polyvinyl chloride with plasticizers

    Popular Applications:
    Seals, i.e. garage door bottom seals (astragal), refrigeration seals

    ADVANTAGES:
  • Lowest cost flexible (or soft) material
  • Resistant to many chemicals
  • Not flammable
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Offers a replacement to rubber
  • Not considered green by some
  • Rigid PVC

    Polyvinyl chloride in a hardened form

    Popular Applications: Window and door components, Various office furniture components, Bumpers, Vinyl Siding

    ADVANTAGES:
  • Low cost
  • Good resistance to weather
  • Good electrical properties
  • Self extinquishing
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Begins to soften around 140°
  • Not considered green by some
  • TPR

    Thermoplastic rubber

    Popular Applications:
    Weatherstrips, seals

    ADVANTAGES:
  • High fatigue resistance
  • High chemical resistance
  • Can replace thermoset elastomers
  • DISADVANTAGES:
  • Cost
  • Poor UV performance in natural form