What Material Is Suitable for Your Plastic Prototype
There are many choices of plastic available
for rapid prototype. How to select the best one to meet your needs? Here shares
some general plastics info for reference.
ABS
Description: this low cost engineering
plastic offers exceptional mechanical and surface strength for a wide range of parts
used in high-impact application
Properties: one of the popular China Rapid Prototyping CNC material, cut easily, thermal and dimensional stability. It
also can be painted and glued for adding versatility, lager and complex parts with
undercuts can be easily made in sections and glued.
Finish Available: Machine Finish, Smooth
Finish, Sand Blasting, Polishing Finish, Painted or Grey Primered, Electroplated.
Weaknesses: Not suitable for
Petroleum-based oils, paints and solvents. Moderate heat, moisture and
chemical, weathering resistance. Can easily scratch. Flammable with high smoke
generation.
PC
Description: Unfilled Poly Carbonate (PC)
is a tough and durable, transparent engineering thermoplastic notable for its
high impact resistance, temperature resistance and optical properties.
Properties: High Impact resistance, Good
Dimensional Stability, Excellent strength retention at elevated temperatures,
Low coefficient of thermal expansion, Good Dimensional Stability. Good
electrical insulator and having Heat resistant and Flame retardant properties.
Finish Available: Machine Finish, Smooth
Finish, Sand Blast, Mirror Polish, Vapor Polishing , Translucent finish (Foggy
look like Lamp Shade), Painted or Grey Primered.
Weaknesses: Subject to cracking due to
stress, Moderate resistance to Chemicals, Low scratch-resistance.
Acrylic
Description: Also known as PMMA (Poly Methyl-Meta
Acrylate) is an amorphous thermoplastic material with very good optical
properties. Acrylic is often used as a glass substitute.
Properties: Excellent optical clarity, Good
Abrasion Resistance, Excellent environmental stability, Good Heat Resistance,
Good Chemical Resistance. Flammable but low smoke emission.
Finish Available: Machine Finish, Smooth
Finish, Mirror Polish, Flame Polish ,Translucent Finish, Painted or Tinted
finish
Weaknesses: Poor impact resistance, Subject
to stress cracking, Not suitable for use with chlorinated or aromatic
hydrocarbons. Brittle nature, PMMA swells and dissolves in many organic
solvents.
Acetal
Description: Acetal also known as POM (Poly
Oxy Methylene) is an engineering Thermoplastic often used for precision
components that require high stiffness, low friction and excellent dimensional
stability.
Properties: Excellent abrasion resistant
Good working temperature, Glossy appearance, Excellent durability
Self-lubricant Good stiffness, strength & Hardness. Wide range Chemical
resistance (including many solvents). Good Electrical and Dielectric properties.
Finish Available: Machine finish, Smooth
Finish, Sand Blast, Polished finish
Weaknesses: Very difficult to bond, Poor
resistance to acids, Flammable and High Specific Gravity. Difficult to paint.
Large and thin parts with irregular wall section are prone to warp.
Nylon
Description: Nylon is a generic designation
for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as PA Poly Amides. Nylons
(Polyamides) comprise the largest family of engineering plastics with a very
wide range of applications. Nylons are generally Strong, Tough and Wear
Resistant.
Properties: Excellent abrasion resistance,
High elongation, Good resistance to fuels, oils and solvents but is affected by
acids and strong bases. Good Toughness, High Tensile Strength, High Impact
Resistance, Good Dimensional Stability.
Finish Available: Machine Finish, Smooth
Finish, Sand Blast.
Weaknesses: High Moisture absorptivity
degrades electrical and mechanical properties. Attacked by strong Acids, Bases,
Oxidizing agents. High Notch sensitivity.
PP
Description: Poly Propylene is semi-opaque
thermoplastic widely used in variety of applications. Polypropylene has good
resistance to fatigue. PP offers a combination of outstanding physical,
chemical, mechanical, thermal and electrical properties.
Properties: Excellent resistance to
fatigue. Lightweight with good combination of toughness and flexibility. Resists
most alkaline and Acids. Low moisture Absorption and Non-Toxic. Good Impact
Resistance. Retains stiffness and flex.
Finish Available: Machine Finish, Smooth
Finish, Sand Blast.
Weaknesses: Hard to Glue. Degraded by UV
radiation, Attacked by chlorinated solvents and aromatics. Large and thin wall
sectioned parts are prone to deformation or warping after machining.
For more information about the prototype
material selection, please feel free to contact China Rapid Prototyping team at sales@teamrapidtooling.com.