Engineering Plastics Knowledge Base

Technical Data, Material Comparisons & Processing Guidelines for Optimal Performance
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Engineering Plastic Material Categories

PA6
PA6
17 Products
PA66
PA66
21 Products
PA12
PA12
11 Products
PA11
PA11
10 Products
PBT
PBT
5 Products
PET
PET
5 Products
ABS
ABS
5 Products
PC/ABS
PC/ABS
4 Products
3D Printing Filaments
3D Printing Filaments
1 Products

Engineering Plastics Material Database

Compare mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties across 50+ engineering plastics — ABS, Nylon, Polycarbonate, PEEK, Acetal, and more. Find the right plastic material for CNC machining, injection molding, or 3D printing.

50+
Materials Covered
10
Material Families
6
Key Properties
3+
Manufacturing Processes

Why This Material Database Matters

Choosing the right engineering plastic directly affects part performance, manufacturing cost, and lead time. A material that works perfectly for injection molding may fail in CNC machining due to stress cracking or heat buildup. This database gives you real, comparable property data — not marketing claims — so you can make data-driven decisions.

Each material entry includes tensile strength, flexural modulus, heat deflection temperature, impact resistance, and density — the five properties most engineers check first. Use the search and filter tools below to narrow down candidates for your specific application.

Search & Compare Materials

TS = Tensile Strength (MPa) FM = Flexural Modulus (GPa) HDT = Heat Deflection Temp (°C) IS = Impact Strength (J/m) D = Density (g/cm³)

Quick Comparison: Most Requested Materials

Head-to-head property comparison for the six most commonly specified engineering plastics at Nylon Plastic.

Property ABS Nylon 6/6 Polycarbonate Acetal/POM PEEK PEI/Ultem
Tensile Strength40 MPa80 MPa65 MPa69 MPa100 MPa110 MPa
Flexural Modulus2.3 GPa2.8 GPa2.4 GPa2.8 GPa3.8 GPa3.5 GPa
HDT @1.82 MPa98°C255°C138°C124°C315°C200°C
Impact Strength400 J/m110 J/m850 J/m75 J/m80 J/m50 J/m
Density1.051.141.201.411.321.27
Best ForHousings, consumerGears, bearingsTransparent partsPrecision mechanicalHigh temp, medicalElectronics, aerospace

How to Choose the Right Engineering Plastic

Material selection isn't about finding the "best" plastic — it's about finding the one that meets ALL your requirements at the right cost. Here's the decision framework we use with customers at Nylon Plastic.

1. Temperature Requirements

Check both continuous use temperature and peak exposure. If your part sees >150°C, narrow to Nylon 6/6, PEEK, PEI, or PPS. For <100°C, ABS and PP are cost-effective choices.

2. Mechanical Load

Structural parts need high tensile strength and flexural modulus. Glass-filled grades (30% GF) can double or triple stiffness. Nylon 6/6 GF30, PEEK GF30, and PPS GF40 are top picks.

3. Chemical Exposure

For harsh chemicals, fluoropolymers (PTFE, PVDF) offer the best resistance. PPS and PEEK handle most industrial solvents. Avoid nylons in high-moisture or acidic environments.

4. Manufacturing Process

CNC machining suits low-volume, tight-tolerance parts. Injection molding wins for high volume. Some materials are process-specific — PTFE and UHMWPE are CNC-only, while LCP requires injection molding.

5. Cost vs Performance

PP and ABS cost $2-5/kg. Nylon 6/6 is $4-8/kg. PEEK jumps to $80-120/kg. Ask yourself: do you really need PEEK, or would a glass-filled nylon handle the job at 1/15 the material cost?

6. Certifications & Compliance

Medical devices may need ISO 10993 or USP Class VI. Food contact requires FDA compliance. Aerospace often demands FST (flame/smoke/toxicity) ratings. PEI, PEEK, and PPSU are common medical/aerospace choices.

Industry Application Examples

Each industry has specific material requirements. Here's what our customers typically choose.

Automotive

Under-hood: Nylon 6/6 GF30 (intake manifolds), PPS (fuel system), POM (gears). Interior: ABS, PC/ABS (dashboards, trim). Exterior: PC (headlamp lenses).

Medical Devices

Implants: PEEK (spinal cages, dental). Surgical tools: PEI/Ultem (autoclavable). Fluid handling: PC, PP. Single-use: ABS, SAN.

Electronics

Connectors: PBT GF30, Nylon 6/6. Housings: PC/ABS FR, PC FR. Insulators: PTFE, PEI. Thermal management: PPS.

Aerospace

Interior panels: PEI (FST compliant). Structural brackets: PEEK CF30. Cable insulation: ETFE, PTFE. Radomes: PMMA, PC.

Industrial Machinery

Gears & bearings: POM, Nylon 6/6 MoS2. Wear strips: UHMWPE. Pump components: PTFE, PVDF. Seals: PTFE, PEEK.

Consumer Products

Kitchenware: PP, PCTG/Tritan. Power tools: Nylon 6/6 GF30, PC/ABS. Sports: TPU, Nylon 12. Furniture: PP GF20, ABS.

Why Source Your Engineering Plastics from Nylon Plastic

ISO 9001 Certified Factory

All materials sourced from certified manufacturers with full traceability and batch certificates.

CNC + Injection + 3D Printing

Integrated manufacturing means one partner for prototypes, tooling, and production — no handoffs.

Material Selection Support

Our engineers help you pick the right grade based on your part requirements — not just the catalog spec.

Global Shipping

Parts delivered to 30+ countries with full export documentation, tariff codes, and compliance paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Nylon 6 and Nylon 6/6?

Nylon 6/6 (PA66) has a higher melting point (255–265°C vs 220°C for Nylon 6), better tensile strength (80 vs 75 MPa), and superior wear resistance. Nylon 6 offers slightly better impact resistance and is typically 10–15% cheaper. For CNC-machined parts, Nylon 6/6 is the default choice due to its dimensional stability. For injection-molded components where cost is critical and temperatures stay under 180°C, Nylon 6 is often sufficient.

Which engineering plastic is best for high-temperature applications?

PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) leads with a continuous use temperature of 250°C and HDT of 315°C. PEI (Ultem) follows at 170–200°C continuous. PPS handles 200–240°C with excellent chemical resistance. For the highest temperature performance, PAI (Torlon) reaches 260°C continuous but costs significantly more. Choose based on your exact temperature profile — if you're under 200°C, PEI is much more cost-effective than PEEK.

Can I use the same plastic material for CNC machining and injection molding?

Most engineering plastics work for both processes, but there are important differences. CNC machining uses extruded or cast stock shapes (rods, sheets), which may have slightly different properties than injection-molding pellets. Some grades (e.g., POM homopolymer) machine beautifully but mold poorly due to high shrinkage. Glass-filled grades machine well but are abrasive on tools. Some materials are process-specific: UHMWPE is CNC-only (doesn't flow in injection), while LCP is injection-only (available only as pellets). Our database marks which processes each grade supports.

How do I get a material recommendation and quote for my specific part?

Fill out the inquiry form below with your part requirements (dimensions, quantity, target material, application environment). Our engineering team reviews every inquiry within 24 hours and provides a material recommendation with pricing. We can also suggest alternative materials if your first choice exceeds budget — for example, switching from PEEK to glass-filled Nylon 6/6 often saves 80% while meeting most mechanical requirements. Include a STEP/IGES file or 2D drawing for the most accurate quote.

Find the Right Material for Your Next Project

Still not sure which engineering plastic fits your application? Send us your requirements and our engineers will recommend the optimal material — with pricing and lead time.

Submit Your Inquiry Now

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