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The material selection platform
Plastics & Elastomers
The material selection platform
Plastics & Elastomers
How to select Plastics? To assist you further in your selection according to your applications, we provide you with Technology Profiles on most used plastics, detailing their benefits, limitations, applications ...

Selection Guide

How to Select the Right 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing Process?

By Edward M. Petrie

The global additive manufacturing industry has progressed in many ways. This is due to its versatility and sustainability benefits. The technology's increasing accessibility has driven its widespread across various fields. These include aerospace, medical/dental, automotive, electronic, and consumer products. The following things should be noted before selecting the right additive manufacturing process: the type of the polymer the deposition technique the way the material is fused or solidified You should choose an additive manufacturing process first that best meets your needs. Later you can select the appropriate polymer for the process and application. In this guide, let's help you select the right additive...

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Selection Guide

Polylactic Acid (PLA): How to select the right grade?
Rapidly growing concerns related to environmental and health safety, limiting dependence on petrochemical raw materials, reducing carbon footprint ... are among the few factors driving inclination towards use of biopolymers. There exist several biopolymers today and thanks to the excellent degradation behavior and versatility of PLA:    » It is now widely used in packaging sector right from a niche product in organic trade to premium packaging for branded goods    » High-performance grades, that are an excellent replacement for PS, PP, and ABS, are gaining traction in more demanding applications What makes PLA a very versatile polymer and material of choice in several applications today?...

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Selection Guide

Bioplastics 101: Making the Right Biopolymer Choice
Fossil fuel-based plastics can have negative impacts on the environment. This has resulted in finding sustainable alternatives like bioplastics. They are produced from renewable resources that reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. The recent market trends predict an increase in bioplastics production in the coming years. This can be attributed to its properties that are superior to or at par with traditional plastics. Many commercial bioplastic grades are already in use while some are under research. Making the right choice of bioplastics in your formulation is crucial to meeting the desired requirements.

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Selection Guide

Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most popular thermoplastic materials. It is available in different crystalline structures, referred to as HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE. This commodity plastic is produced by addition or radical polymerization. It is used in a large array of applications: plastic containers, bottles, bags, plastic toys, etc. Get technical information on polyethylene, explore what are its different types (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE...) and the properties of some the majorly used forms in detail! Also, learn about key features which make PE an ideal material of choice in applications ranging from packaging, films, tubes and more...

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Selection Guide

The Definitive Guide to Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile thermoplastic – it is the lightest polymers among all commodity plastics, low density, stress-cracking resistant and the list goes on. Among variety of structures in PP family and its competitive properties with polyethylene can be confusing when it comes to selection. In this guide, get answers to all your queries while looking for a suitable PP grade for your application.

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Selection Guide

Thermoplastic Elastomer: Complete Guide on TPE Material
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are one of the most versatile plastics in today’s market bridging between the service properties of elastomers and the processing properties of thermoplastics. The cost effectiveness and design flexibility enable TPEs to be used in many major end-user markets, including consumer products, electronics, medical devices, automotive, and much more. Explore this comprehensive guide and learn everything you need to know about TPEs.

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Selection Guide

Polyacetal 101: Detailed Information on POM Resin and Its Features
Learn more about Polyacetal or Polyoxymethylene (POM), a semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic widely used to produce precision parts with high lubricity. Get detailed information on key features which make acetal resins an ideal material of choice in applications ranging from automotive to medical, industrial and many more.

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Selection Guide

Extrusion - Equipment, Processing Techniques & Troubleshooting

By Thomas Bezigian

Extrusion is simply defined as the forcing of a liquid through a die. In modern industrial terms, extrusion is the pumping of a liquid through a die to yield the final shape desired. The liquid forced through the die can be a polymer or a metal, such as molten aluminum. Understand here, the traditional single stage, single screw extrusion (without the use of a gear pump) in detail. Get in-depth knowledge of the equipment, the design and function of each component from the extruder motor to the die, processing techniques, troubleshooting, and more… We would like to acknowledge PFFC An...

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Selection Guide

Epoxy Resins: A to Z Technical Review of Thermosetting Polymer
After their first commercial production in late 1940s, epoxy resins comprise of wide family of materials today. Thanks to of their high strength, versatility and excellent adhesion to variety of surfaces, epoxy resins have gained wide acceptance in diverse applications (coatings, electrical, casting resins, composites…). Explore thermosetting epoxy resins in detail along with their key properties and understand what makes them an ideal choice in so many applications. Also, learn about different types of resins available and how to further improve their properties.

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Selection Guide

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs): How to select the right grade?
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and its homopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) are alternative biodegradable and sustainable biopolymers. They hold the potential to replace plastics' linear use and disposal practices with a fully circular life cycle for plastics. Their applications range from their utilization in medical/healthcare and food packaging to biofuels. Explore the versatility of PHA and PHB by learning about their key properties, major benefits and popular applications in detail!

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