Twister Technology - Rubber and Plastic Components Supplier

Twister Technology, Inc. can supply you with components made from virtually all of the synthetic and natural polymers available in the marketplace. From organic rubbers to silicones, thermosets to thermoplastics, give us the opportunity to quote on your project. Or contact us for any questions you may have. We have a knowledgeable representative close by to answer your questions.

ABS

ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene terpolymer) - The three components of ABS can be used in different amounts to generate ABS with different properties. Usually ABS is made with more than 50% styrene and varying amounts of acrylonitrile and butadiene. The polymer can be manufactured through several methods - emulsion, suspension and continuous mass polymerization. The emulsion process is the oldest method. The suspension process involves blending a high rubber content medium (butadiene) with styrene acrylonitrile. Continuous mass polymerization, uses less energy and because of the absence of effluent water in the process is becoming the preferred method of manufacture even though capital costs are higher and the process is less flexible. ABS is a tough, rigid thermoplastic, resistant to stress cracking and creep with a high impact strength which is maintained at low temperatures (-40 °C.). It is resistant to moisture and chemicals (inorganic salts, alkalies and many acids). It possesses excellent electrical properties, is heat resistant and flame retardant. Variations result in materials with a wide range of uses. Chemical properties and thermal stability are much better than with Polystyrene. These properties make ABS suitable for injection molding, extrusion, blow and foam molding and thermoforming. It can be easily machined, bored, turned, milled, sawed, die cut, routed, filed, sanded, ground buffed and polished. ABS can be used in automotive applications where under extreme stress the material must be dimensionally stable and not warp, even when faced with great temperature variations. In electronic applications, ABS is not only scratch and wear resistant but also decorative and easy to maintain. ABS is easily colored, electroplated, emboss-stamped, metallized and can be matt, glossy or satin surface finished and can be purchased in transparent grades.
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Acetal

Acetal, also known as polyacetal, polyformaldehyde or polyoxymethylene, is a tough, strong material with excellent physical and mechanical properties. Acetal was first developed in the late 1950's and is available as a homopolymer or copolymer. It is produced by polymerization of formaldehyde. Acetal retains its dimensions and other properties at elevated temperatures. Because of its high strength, modulus, and resistance to impact and fatigue, it is used as a weight-saving metal replacement. It offers excellent resistance to most organic solvents and fair to good resistance to strong acids and bases. Naturally opaque. Reinforced with glass fibers for increased stiffness when molded into test tube racks. Other applications included medical devices, drug delivery systems, gears, springs, clips, snap-fits, knobs and gaskets for fuel system components, toys, washing machines, hand tools, shower heads and seat belt buckles.
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Acrylic

Polymethylmethacrylate belongs to the group of acrylic resins. It is a rigid, glass-clear amorphous polymer with excellent clarity and the polymer is widely used in optical applications ("organic glass"). Polymethylmethacrylate is resistant to most inorganic aqueous solutions but prolonged contact with concentrated alcohols, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons may soften or dissolve the polymer. It can replace glass in all applications where temperature is below 90 °C. and low chemical resistance is required. Polymethylmethacrylate has an excellent stability against UV radiation. Applications include lenses, light covers, glazing (particularly in aircraft), light pipes, meter covers, bathroom fittings, outdoor signs, skylights, baths, toys. Also, acrylic film is laminated over ABS sheet to provide UV protection.
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Butyl Rubber

Butyl rubber, introduced in 1942, is commercially produced by cationically copolymerizing isobutylene with small amounts of isoprene. Chloro- and Bromo- halogenated derivitives were introduced in the early 60's. The halogenated derivatives of butyl rubber provide greater vulcanization flexibility and enhanced cure compatibility with other, more unsaturated general-purpose elastomers. Butyl polymers are among the most widely used synthetic elastomers in the world, ranking third in total synthetic elastomers consumed. Butyl based polymers have found their most important application in the tire industry although a host of other applications have evolved and continue to utilize their unique properties such as low gas-permeability, high hysteresis (vibration dampening), outstanding resistance to heat, ozone, chemical attack (while butyl vulcanizates will be highly swollen by hydrocarbon solvents and oils, they are only slightly affected by oxygenated solvents and other polar liquids), tearing, high coefficient of friction and moisture resistance. The low degree of olefinic unsaturation in the saturated hydrocarbon backbone also imparts mineral acid resistance. Applications include tubeless tires, air cushions, pneumatic springs, accumulator bags, air bellows, electrical insulation, roofing membranes, suspension bumpers, and automotive body mounts.
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Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (HYPALON)

The development of HYPALON was the result of a long-term program at DuPont that originated in the wartime need of the U.S. Government for new synthetic rubbers. The process for its manufacture involves the simultaneous chlorination and chlorosulfonation of polyethylene in solution. The rubberiness of HYPALON is derived from the natural flexibility of the polyethylene chain in the absence of crystallinity. The chlorine atoms on the polyethylene backbone not only provide elastomeric properties, but also give useful improvement in oil resistance and flame resistance. The sulfonyl chloride groups provide crosslinking sites for the non-peroxide curing processes. Many properties are affected by chlorine content besides oil and flame resistance. At low chlorine levels, the polymer retains some partial crystallinity, thus being harder and stiffer with good electrical properties, good heat resistance, and good low temperature flexibility. With increasing chlorine content, the vulcanizates get increasingly rubbery but then at higher chlorine levels again become stiffer because of increasing glass transition temperature. HYPALON is very resistant to attack by oxygen and ozone, has high tensile strength and excellent abrasion resistance. Applications include air conditioning hoses, electrical cable jacketing, spark plug boots, weather resistant membranes, acid resistant roll covers, automotive gaskets, outdoor sports equipment and magnetic filler in refrigerator gaskets.
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CPVC - Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride

CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) was invented by Noveon (B.F. Goodrich) in 1958. Two processes are used to manufacture this polymer. In one proces, PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is chlorinated in a dry particulate state by means of a fluidized bed under ultraviolet irradiation. The other process involves a wet chlorination, under irradiation, of an aqueous suspension of solid PVC plus a small amount of chloroform to promote swelling of the PVC. Both processes produce a chlorinted resin of about 66-69 wt% chlorine from a feed resin of 56.7 wt.% chlorine. This increase in chlorine content, increases the heat resistance of the PVC by 40-50 °C. allowing service temperatures of the CPVC up to 100 °C. CPVC has become an important engineering thermoplastic due to its relatively low cost, high heat distortion temperature, chemical resistance to most mineral acids, bases, salts and aliphatic hydrocarbons, and outstanding mechanical, dielectric and flame and smoke properties. Applications for CPVC include hot and cold water piping and fittings, pumps, parts and basket strainers for corrosive liquid handling, fire sprinkler systems, tanks, and electrical tubing.
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Dynaflex

Dynaflex thermoplastic elastomer is a proprietary material based on styrenic block copolymers offered by GLS Corporation. Dynaflex TPE compounds are materials developed to fulfill a broad spectrum of customer specifications. They are designed to provide an economical solution for a wide variety of applications while providing a soft, flexible feel, excellent grip characteristics, good weatherability, and easy processability. Product is available in FDA and medical grades. Dynaflex compounds are easy to color and comes in translucent and clear grades.
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Elastollan

Elastollan is the registered trade mark of BASF's thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU's), which are available in a hardness range from 60 Shore A to 74 Shore D. These materials are used for injection molding, extrusion and blow molding applications. Elastollan products have high tensile strength, high tear/cut resistance, high wear and abrasion resistance. Elastollan shows resistance to high oils, greases, oxygen, ozone, weathering and fungus. Elastollan product grades can be chosen that exhibit excellent damping, rebound, elasticity and low temperature flexibility. Elastollan products are naturally anti-blocking, need little or no internal lubricant and have increased elastic memory and hydrolytic stability. See polyurethane .
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EPM/EPDM Rubber

EPM and EPDM are copolymers of ethylene and propylene with the EPDM adding an additional 1-11% of a third monomer that adds unsaturation (sulfer cure site) off the backbone of the polymer. EPM/EPDM have fully saturated polymer backbones, giving excellent resistance to ozone and oxygen. They are color stable and when properly pigmented, both black and non-black compounds have excellent weatherability without the use of antioxidants and antiozonants. As non-polar, hydrocarbon elastomers, they have excellent electrical properties, but no hydrocarbon oil resistance. The non-polar nature of EPM/EPDM gives resistance to polar materials such as phosophate esters and many ketones and alcohols. Due to the low polarity and amorphous nature, these polymers show low temperature flexibility with glass transition points of about -60 °C. Compounded vulcanizates (cured rubber) of EPM/EPDM can obtain heat resistance to 177 °C. with good compression set resistance, high tensile and tear resistance, coupled with excellent abrasion resistance. EPM/EPDM have a wide range of markets. These markets include, garden hose, automotive cooling hose, steam hose tubes, power cable insulation, electrical connector inserts, coated fabrics, moisture barriers, one-ply roofing, automotive seals, boots, weatherstripping, and sponge gasketing.
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Epichlorohydrin Rubber

Epichlorohydrin Rubber is available as the CO (Epichlorohydrin (chloromethyl oxirane)) homopolymer, the ECO copolymer (epichlorohydrin and ethylene oxide) and a terpolymer which incorporates a cure-site monomer to the copolymer to allow greater freedom in crosslinking chemistry. In general, epichlorohydrin polymers have a good balance of low temperature flexibility, fuel oil and solvent resistance, high temperature resistance, low permeability, excellent ozone and weathering resistance, and very good dynamic properties. Applications include fuel and air-conditioning system components, diaphragms, seals, gaskets, o-rings, vibration isolators, belts, rollers, oil field specialties, military oxygen mask hose and gaskets for fuel transfer systems.
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Estane

Estane is a family of proprietary thermoplastic polyurethane products offered by Noveon. Estane thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU's) includes elastomeric materials that bridge the gap between flexible rubber and rigid plastics. These materials offer unmatched toughness and durability in a flexible thermoplastic elastomer system that is easy to process in a wide range of equipment. The Estane TPU portfolio of products offers high performance polyester and polyether based resins in hardnesses that range from 70 shore A to 80 shore D. Estane TPU's offer outstanding abrasion and wear resistance, excellent low temperature flexibility and superior toughness and durability. Applications include automotive interior/chassis and exterior painted trim, atheletic equipment, hose and tubing, wire and cable. See polyurethane.
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Ethylene/Acrylic Rubber

Ethylene/Acrylic Rubber with the trade name Vamac was introduced by Du Pont in 1975. The base polymer is a terpolymer of ethylene and methyl acrylate, with a small amount of a third monomer containing carboxylic acid to provide cure active groups in the polymer chain. Having a saturated backbone, the polymer has excellent ozone and weathering resistance, very good heat resistance, fairly good low-temperature properties and also shows high vibrational damping. Ethylene/acrylic rubber can be compounded into tough, low-compression set rubber products with excellent resistance to hot oil, hydrocarbon or glycol based lubricants, transmission fluids, power steering fluids and water. Applications include shaft seals, o-rings, gaskets, spark plug boots, CV joint boots, specialty hose, diesel crankshaft dampers, low fire hazard cable jacketing, downhole oil field cable jacketing, automotive transimission wire jacketing, low smoke flooring, vibration mounts, pads and isolators.
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Fluoroelastomers (Viton, Fluorel, Aflas)

The fluoroelastomers are highly specialized products that as a class, show the best resistance of all rubbers to the attack of heat, chemicals, and solvents. Fluoroelastomers were first introduced in the 1950's to satisfy the needs of the emerging aerospace industry who had a critical need for an elastomer that could withstand the harsh environment of the military jet engines under development. The fluoroelastomers are exceptionally stable, excelling all rubbers in overall resistance to combinations of heat, light, ozone, solvents, and aggressive chemicals. They also have good high temperature compression set resistance and low-temperature flexibility. Many products have been developed to give particular combinations of properties required for the varied highly sophisticated applications. Fluoroelastomers are used in a wide variety of high-performance applications because they provide premium performance and long-term reliability even in harsh environments therefore extending a component's service life. Applications include o-ring seals in fuel, lubricant and hydraulic systems, manifold gaskets, fuel tank bladders, firewall seals, syphon hoses for hot engine lubricants, tire valve stem seals, protective coatings for fabrics and body panels, clips for jet engine wiring harnesses, shaft seals, fuel hoses, carburator parts, fuel pump cups, seals in emission-control devices, speedometer cable seals, check ball valves, copy machine fuser rolls, diaphragms, electrical connectors, flue duct expansion joints, oil well seals and packings, pump linings and reed valves.
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Fluorosilicone

The addition of fluorine to the alkyl groups of silicone elastomers develop elastomers with a high degree of solvent resistance and excellent high and low temperature capabilities. The primary uses of fluorosilicones are in fuel systems at temperatures up to 177 °C. and in applications where the dry-heat resistance of silicone is required, but the seal may be exposed to petroleum oils and/or hydro-carbon fuels. In some fuels and oils, however, the high temperature limit is more conservative because temperatures approaching 177 °C. may degrade the fluid, producing acids which attack fluorosilicone elastomers. On the other end of the temperature scale, fluorosilicones typically seal at temperatures as low as -73 °C. High strength type fluorosilicone compounds are also available. Certain types of these compounds exhibit much improved resistance to compression set. The original market, primarily o-ring seals, has expanded greatly. Current high volume applications also include shaft seals, gaskets, diaphragms, duct hose, wire and cable insulation, electrical connector inserts and cold weather oil field service articles.
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Gum Silicone Rubber

The properties of silicone rubber are due to the unusual melecular structure of the polymer, which consists of a backbone of silicone atoms (4,000-11,000 for gum silicone resins) alternating with oxygen atoms. The silicon-oxygen-silicon linkage in silicones is similar to the linkage in quartz and glass. Although the silicones are not as heat resistant as quartz, they have superior heat resistance compared to other elastomers. In addition, the backbone is shielded by outward pointing and unusually mobile methyl groups. The mobility of these methyl groups, the large volume of the silicon atom and the nonpolar nature of the methyl groups contributes to the low glass-transition temperature, the high permeability to gases and the high compressibility of the silicones. Further, the inorganic backbone is responsible for the fungus resistance of silicones, their lack of appeal to rodents and with no carbon to carbon double bonds to break, are not affected by ozone and ultraviolet light, especially at high temperatures. Since the methyl groups contain primary hydrogens, they are less susceptible to oxidative attack and can retain its properties longer at high temperatures. Over the entire temperature range of -84 °C. to 260 °C. no available elastomer can match its low compression set. Many types of wire and cable are insulated with silicone rubber, mainly because its excellent electrical properties are maintained at elevated temperatures. Even when the insulation is exposed to a direct flame, it burns to a nonconducting ash that continues to function as insulation in a suitable designed cable. The ozone and corona resistances of silicone rubber are outstanding, approaching that of mica. Many samples of elastomeric silicones have been exposed to outdoor weathering for 15 years with no significant loss of physical properties. This demonstrates unique resistance to temperature extremes, sunlight, water, ozone and other gases. Silicone has good resistance to the low concentrations of acids, bases, and salts normally found in surface water. Silicone rubber is odorless, tasteless and nontoxic. When properly formulated, it does not stain, corrode, or in any way deteriorate materials whith which it comes in contact. Consequently it has found application in gas masks, food and medical grade tubing, and even in surgical implants in the human body. Applications include automotive (ignition cables, coolant and heater hose, o-rings, and cylinder liner seals), aerospace (air frame opening seals, connectors, dustboots and shields, aerodynamic seals, gaskets, cushions, blankets, anti-icing hoses, o-rings, oxygen masks and control regulators), appliances (o-rings, oven door gaskets, defroster wires, seals, gaskets and vibration isolators), electrical (insulated wire and cable, nuclear and conventional power station equipment seals, high voltage connector housings and connector inserts) and food and health (baby bottle nipples, pacifiers, conveyor belts, tubing, prosthetic devices, subdermal implants, surgical tubing, blood oxygenation apparatus and medical device seals). Silicone polymer is also mixed with boric acid to make "Silly Putty". Also see Liquid Silicone Rubber.
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HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene)

Polyethylene is probably the polymer you see most in daily life. Polyethylene is the most popular plastic in the world due to its low cost and performance capabilities. This is the polymer that makes grocery bags, shampoo bottles, children's toys, and even bullet proof vests. For such a versatile material, it has a very simple structure, the simplest of all commercial polymers. Polyethylene consists of a chain of carbon atoms with two hydrogen atoms attached. High density polyethylene (HDPE) is a linear polymer with no side chains or branching, making it more crystaline in nature. Whereas low density polyethylene (LDPE) has branches of polyethylene coming off the main polymer backbone, making it an amorphous polymer. Linear polyethylene (HDPE) is more rigid and much stronger than branched polyethylene (LDPE), but branched polyethylene is cheaper and easier to make. HDPE is normally produced with molecular weights in the range of 200,000 to 500,000 by the Ziegler-Natta polymerization method. Like other polyolefins, the polyethylenes are chemically inert. However, strong oxidizing agents will eventually cause oxidation and embrittlement. HDPE has no known solvent at room temperature. Agressive solvents will cause softening or swelling but these effects are normally reversible. HDPE can be used for application temperatures up to 105 °C. and must be compounded with UV stabilizers to improve outdoor weathering characteristics. Applications include personal care, household and industrial containers and caps, equipment housings, gasoline containers, milk bottles, children's toys, crates and many more applications where high heat conditions are not a problem. Go to Polypropylene. Go to Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)
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Hytrel

DuPont Hytrel is a high performance engineering elastomer made from hard, crystalline polybutylene terephthalate and soft, amorphous polyether glycol, which gives Hytrel the combined properties of rubber and engineering thermoplastics. Hytrel offers many unique characteristics, such as excellent strength, heat resistance (up to 93 °C.), low temperature properties (down to -40 °C.), chemical resistance and good processability along with rubber elasticity. Hytrel is ideal for parts requiring excellent flex fatigue and broad use temperature. It is strongly resistant to tearing, flex-cut growth, creep and abrasion. In addition to its outstanding toughness and impact strength, its chemical properties make it highly resistant to hydrocarbons and many other fluids. Hytrel is available in hardnesses from 30 to 82 shore D. Applications include key pads, hinges, oil and gas cap seals, pump diaphragms, noise absorbing gears, hot water tubing, electrical connectors, rail pads, impact and sound absorbing housings, sporting goods, medical devices, and automotive CVJ boots.
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Kraton

Kraton is a styrenic block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The styrenic TPE's are block copolymers of styrene and a diene such as butadiene or isoprene, or an olefin pair such as ethylene-butylene. All of these polymers are two-phase systems. Here the polystyrene end segments form a hard polymer phase that does not flow at room temperature but becomes fluid when heated. The other phase forms the soft rubbery polymer segment. While styrenic TPE's have the lowest cost, their performance is rated lowest among TPE's. On the other hand, there are many applications calling for a rubber-like material with modest performance properties. Hardnesses range from 33 Shore A to 55 Shore D. Ultimate tensile strength varies from 500 to 4,000 psi. Useful service temperature runs from a low of -57 °C. to a high of 104 °C. The olefin pair soft block polymers are much more resistant to weathering and solvent attack than the unsaturated butadiene or isoprene soft blocks, which are suseptible to degredation by oxygen, ozone and UV radiation. Styrenic TPE's are resistant to polar fluids, particularly water and its solutions. They are, however, suseptible to oils, fuels, organic solvents and surfactants. Typical applications include, footwear soles, rubbery feel overmolds, airbags, window profiles, storage containers, sporting goods and soft grip handles.
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Liquid Silicone Rubber

Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is similar to the gum rubber silicones in structure and performance (see gum silicone rubber). Both contain a backbone of silicone atoms (200-1,500 for liquid silicone resins) alternating with oxygen atoms. For liquid silicone rubber the chainstopper depends on the cure system but is typically vinyl for liquid injection molding (LIM) grades of polymer. These LIM polymers are usually two-component systems, although one-component systems are possible if the catalyst is inhibited sufficiently. Vinyl on the end of the polymer is more reactive than vinyl on the chain. The catalyst is usually a complex of platinum although palladium, rhodium and ruthenium are also used. The reaction is exothermic, but the concentration of reactive groups is too low to cause much of a temperature rise. This system is useful where deep cures are needed in a confined space since no volatile by-products are given off. The cure rate and physical properties of all the LSR compounds can be varied over a rather wide range by suitable choice of polymer type, molecular weight, catalyst concentration, reinforcing and extending fillers, pigments and additives. LSR compounds cure faster than gum compounds (seconds vs. minutes) and usually have better tear resistance. Applications are similar to the gum silicones.
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Natural Rubber

Natural rubber is produced from the latex of the Hevia brasiliensis (rubber tree) indigenous to the Amazon valley and is the "Original Rubber Material". Introduced to the western world in 1736, it was a relatively useless product until in 1839, Charles Goodyear discovered the process of vulcanization. He found that heating a mixture of rubber and sulfur (vulcanization) yielded products that had much better properties than the raw rubber. Sulfur vulcanization is still the most widely used method of crosslinking natural rubber. In the late 1800's the rubber tree was planted in tropical areas around the world to supply the demand for these new rubber products. Natural rubber is composed of 94% rubber hydrocarbon (polyisoprene), 2% protein, 2% lipids, 1% glycolipids and phospholips and 1% other materials such as carbohydrates, inorganics, etc. The protein content of natural rubber limits the use of this material in some medical/skin contact applications due to the chance of severe allergic reactions. Natural rubber is well known for the strength properties of its vulcanizates. This high strength is due to its ability to undergo strain induced crystallization. The strength drops rapidly with increases in temperature but is still better than in other elastomers. Natural rubber has excellent abrasion resistance, expecially under mild abrasive conditions. Natural rubber has high resilience, with values exceeding 90% in well-cured gum vulcanizates, however synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene (see Polyisoprene Rubber) performs slightly better in this area. Good resistance to flexing and fatigue together with high resilience makes natural rubber useful in applications where cyclic stressing is involved. Natural rubber also shows excellent tear resistance. Compression set and creep resistance can vary widely with compound composition, with the synthetic polyisoprene typically performing better in this area. Natural rubber has poor heat aging, oxygen and ozone resistance but compounding can help to reduce the weathering affects. With its wide range of useful properties, natural rubber can be used in a large variety of applications. Despite this, the share of natural rubber in the elastomer market has decreased due to higher prices, synthetic polyisoprene, use of SBR in tires, and allergy issues. Applications include tires, hoses, conveyor belts, rubber linings, gaskets, seals, rubber rolls, rubberized fabric, bridge bearings, footwear and septums. Natural rubber is used in some products only because it has certain properties that cannot be matched by any other rubber.
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Nitrile Rubber (Buna N)

Nitrile rubber (NBR) in its simplest form is a copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene with composition ratios in the range of 18/82 to 45/55. The basis for selection of a particular ratio is the oil and solvent resistance and the low temperature performance required. Higher acrylonitrile levels give better oil and solvent resistance but poorer low temperature properties. Nitrile is recommended when excellent resistance to petroleum oils and gasoline is required. Nitrile's resistance to the more aromatic distillates of petroleum is better than neoprene, and it exhibits excellent resistance to mineral and vegetable oils, but relatively poor resistance to the swelling action of oxygenated solvents such as acetone and the ketones. Nitrile resists acids and bases with the exception of those having strong oxidizing effects. Resistance to heat aging is good. Compounding of nitrile results in a good balance of low creep, good resilience, low permanent set, good abrasion resistance and some ozone resistance. Tear is good but is inferior to natural rubber. Nitrile comes in different types based on additives, polymerization method and comonomers. Cold NBR is polymerized at 5 - 15 °C. and give more linear polymer chains. Hot NBR is polymerized at 30 - 40 °C. and has a highly branched polymer structure which gives improved hot tear strength. Crosslinked Hot NBR is highly branched and further crosslinked by difunctional monomers and is used for molding and extrusions. Carboxylated nitrile adds carboxylic acid groups to the NBR backbone resulting in a polymer with increased strength measured by improved tensile, tear, modulus and abrasion resistance but reduced compression set, water resistance, resilience and some low- temperature properties. Bound Antioxidant NBR adds an antioxidant polymerized into the polymer chain giving the polymer improved ozone protection especially during cyclic exposures. Hydrogenated NBR removes most of the unsaturation in the polymer backbone which increases resistance to heat, ozone and oxidized gasolines. Nitrile rubber will continue to an important elastomer. The unique balance of oil, chemical, heat and cold resistance allows it to work well in a wide variety of applications especially where cost is a consideration. Applications include fuel and oil handling hose, seals, grommets, water handling equipment, roll covers, hydraulic hoses, conveyor belting, graphic arts, oil field packers, plumbing equipment, appliance components, industrial air hose, shaft seals, o-rings, fuel pumps, bushings, gaskets, diaphragms, food handling equipment, footwear and many more applications that utilize its unique properties.
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Nylon and Glass Filled Nylon (Polyamide)

Nylon (Polyamides) was patented in 1935 by DuPont, hit the market in 1939 and was an instant hit especially as a replacement for silk hosiery. It became so popular that DuPont lost the marketing rights to the name and Nylon became a generic term for polyamide polymers. Nylon (polyamide) is a group of linear polymers with repeating amide linkages along the backbone. These are produced by amidation of diamines with dibasic acids, or polymerization of amino acids. Nylon is strong and tough. It resists abrasion, fatigue and impact. Nylon offers excellent chemical resistance when in contact with organic solvents such as hydrocarbons, esters and glycols, but are easily attacked by strong mineral acids, oxidizing agents and certain salts, and swell and dissolve in alcohols. Nylon is also prone to moisture absorption ranging from 2% up to 10% for the diffent types. Mechanical properties are affected by moisture absorption, with toughness improving and modulus decreasing. Many companies offer material that is reinforced with glass and mineral filler to increase stiffness. However, properties such as elangation and impact strength are reduced. Applications include appliance components, wire insulation, sporting gear, home furnishings, wiper fluid systems, optical fiber sheathing, soft-drink filtration systems, oil industry tubing, fuel handling systems, power tool housings, snowboard bindings, vehicle door handles, internal combustion engine components, connectors, motors, sensors, solenoids, circuit breakers, bobbins, household wiring devices, camping gear, window hardware, water valves, gears, bearings,pump housings, impellers, jet ski propulsion components, airbag canisters, saftey valves, roof racks, welding masks, high volume air intake manifold, zip fastener teeth, wheels, fan blades and fuel connectors.
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Pellethane

Pellethane is a family of proprietary thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers offered by Dow Engineering Plastics . Pellethane elastomers are available based on both polyester and polyether for both injection molding and extrusion applications. Pellethane elastomer's benefits are outstanding abrasion resistance, good low temperature flexibility and impact resistance, good resistance to fuels, oils and most non-polar solvents, good hydrolytic stability, transparency, low compression set, high compressive strength and a range of hardnesses from 70 Shore A to 75 Shore D. Pellethane elastomers combine high tensile strength with high elongation, resulting in excellent toughness properties. Pellethane elastomers also exhibit superior tear strength compared with the majority of other elastomers. Applications include hose jacketing, tubing, belting, tie-down cords, dental ligatures, seals, animal identification tags, footwear, fabric laminates, seals, gaskets, life rafts, airplane escape slides, body side moldings, rocker side panels, mining cables and hydraulic hose. See polyurethane.
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Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK)

Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK) is a high molecular weight, semi-crystaline, aromatic polymer comprised of repeating monomer units of two ether groups and one ketone group. PEEK is a rigid opaque (grey) material with a unique combination of properties. Due to its crystalline nature it is exceptionally chemical resistant, allowing operation in a wide pH range, from 60% sulfuric acid to 40% sodium hydroxide even at high temperatures. Additional chemical resistance includes the organic solvents, aqueous reagents, and long term performance in superheated water up to 260 °C. The heat distortion temperature for PEEK is 315 °C., with continuous service possible at 240 °C. The polymer has exceptional dimensional stability, strength, toughness and fatigue resistance. It is known to be extremely resistant to hydrolysis and radiatin (exept UV) making it good for medical applications where repeated sterilization is critical. PEEK can also be processed without the need for any additives, which may be released upon biological contact and adversely affect implantable products. PEEK has excellent resistance to burning and very low flame spread (typically rated as V-0 per UL 94, 1.45mm). Further, its smoke density is extremely low. PEEK has good dielectric properties, with high volume and surface resistivities, along with high dielectric strength. PEEK polymer is typically used as a replacement for machined metals in a wide variety of high performance end use applications. These applications range in diversity from automotive engine parts, aerospace components, compressor valve parts, bearings, industrial pumps, valves and seals, silicon wafer carriers, connectors, dental instruments, surgical equipment and medical implants.
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Polyarylate

Polyarylate is an aromatic polyester that is tough, resistant to UV radiation, resistanct to heat and, in amorphous form, transparent (light amber in color). The basic mechanical properties of amorphous polyarylates are similar to polycarbonates. The elastic rebound of polyarylates is exceptional which makes it a logical candidate for snap fit applications. The polymer is susceptible to environmental stress cracking in the presence of aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons and their properties deteriorate rapidly in water. When exposed to UV light, this unique material undergoes a molecular rearrangement resulting in the formation of a protective layer that essentially serves as a UV stabilizer. This polymer has shown a better retention of gloss, lower haze and light transmission in accelerated aging testing than polycarbonate. The 8000 hour test conducted on polyarylate showed only a slight loss in properties when compared to 2000 hour test and 90 percent loss of the original notched Izod strength with polycarbonate. Polyarylate outperforms many other engineering thermoplastics with a heat deflection temperature of 174 °C. and a UL relative temperature index of 130 °C. for electrical and mechanical properties. Applications include semiconductor components, solar energy components, appliance parts, snap lock connectors, tail lights, umbrella ribs, DVD turntables, fire helmets, electrical connectors, and fluorescent lamp holders.
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Polybutadiene

Polybutadiene is the second largest volume synthetic rubber produced, next to styrene-butadiene rubber. Polybutadiene is a homopolymer of 1,3 butadiene, a monomer containing four carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms. The four carbon atoms are in a straight chain containing two "double bonds". It is the two double bonds that are key to polymer formation and configuration. The configurations of polybutadiene are cis-1,4, trans-1,4, and vinyl (1,2-addition, that can be isotactic, syndiotactic or atactic). The structurally different configurations of polybutadiene give rise to notably different behavior. The cis-1,4-isomer crystallizes upon stretching over 200%. The trans-1,4 and vinyl isomers are crystalline without elongation. The high cis-1,4-polybutadiene is a soft, easily solubilized elastomer that exhibits excellent dynamic properties, low hysteresis, good abrasion and cut growth resistance and excellent low-temperature performance. The trans-1,4-polybutadiene, in contrast, is a tough elastomer with high hardness and thermoplasticity and it is sparingly soluble in most solvents. The vinyl 1,2-isotactic and 1,2-syndiotactic polybutadienes are rigid, cryatalline materials with poor solubility characteristics. The vinyl 1,2-atactic polymers are soft elastomers possessing poor recovery characteristics. High cis-1,4-polybutadiene is polymerized using a transition metal catalyt (Ziegler-Natta). The neodymium catalyst system produces the highest cis- content of about 99% and also makes the most linear chain structure (no branching) producing a polymer with the best tensile and hysterisis properties of all the high cis- types. The cobalt catalyst system produces highly branched polybutadiene which gives a low solution viscosity and makes a good polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene modifier. Applications for polybutadiene are usually in uses where the polybutadiene is blended with other polymer systems to improve or modify specific properties. The major use of polybutadiene is in tires with over 70% of the polymer produced going into treads and sidewalls where it improves tread wear and lowers rolling resistance for better fuel economy. Because of its poor wet traction properties, it is blended with natural rubber or styrene-butadiene rubber for tread compounds. Polybutadiene is also used as an impact modifier for polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resins. Other applications include golf ball cores, super balls, molded rubber articles and ultrasound windows.
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Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is a lightweight, high performance thermoplastic made from phosgene and bisphenol A. Discovered by Dr. H. Schnell at Bayer AG and D.W. Fox at GE independently, polycarbonate began to be used commerially in the late 1950's. Polycarbonate was initially used for electrical and electronic applications such as distributor and fuse boxes, displays and plug connections and glazing for greenhouses and public buildings. Polycarbonate was even used for space helmets. The 1980's saw a large increase in applications as audio CD's, CD-ROM's and recently DVD's utilize polycarbonates unique optical properties. At the same time, 18 liter water bottles and automotive headlamps and taillights switched to polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is window-clear, amazingly strong, rigid, has good thermal properties from -130 to +130 °C. and is almost self extinguishing. However, because of the carbonate linkages in the polymer backbone, polycarbonate is subject to chemical reaction with bases and concentrated acids and hydrolytic attack at elevated temperatures (e.g. autoclaving). Polycarbonate also needs light stabilizers to counter its poor UV resistance. Polycarbonate is also a versatile blending material, with commercially available blends with polyester(PET) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). Applications in addition to the ones mentioned above include, light fittings, safety helmets, medical components, cell phones, computers, sporting goods, consumer electronics, household appliances, food storage containers, bottles, eyeglasses, circuit breakers, cable sockets, displays, relays, LEDs, safety switches, high voltage plugs, fluorescent lighting diffusers, incubators, kidney dialysers, blood oxygenators, tube connectors, compass and binocular cases, ship's lights, ski boot buckles, shavers and hair dryers.
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Polychloroprene (Neoprene)

Polychloroprene (Neoprene) is made by emulsion polymerization of chloroprene monomer (2-chlorobutadiene) and consists almost entirely of trans-1,4 units. This configuration is sufficiently regular in structure to crystallize on stretching, thus giving Neoprene high gum tensiles. The vulcanization (crosslinking) of neoprene is through the chlorine atoms with the addition of metal oxides. Neoprene is used for its resistance to swelling in oil and its unique balanced combination of properties which include physical strength, compression set resistance, resilience, fluid, weather and temperature degredation resistance over a wide range of destructive service conditions. Neoprene is typically compounded using a wide variety of ingredients depending on the end use requirments. Properly compounded, neoprene resists sun, ozone, and weathering while remaining tough and durable. It is practical in cold environments to -25 °C. and in heat to 93 °C. with specially compounded product with service temperatures as low as -55 °C. The flame resistance of neoprene products can be enhanced by special compounding. Applications for Neoprene include adhesives (due to polarity and crystallinity), v-belts, timing belts, blown sponge gaskets for door, deck, and trunk, spark plug boots, power brake bellows, radiator hoses, steering and suspension joints, tire sidewalls, ignition wire jackets, gaskets, seals, track mounting, air brake hose, pipeline "pigs", coated fabrics, wire and cable jackets, appliance cords and shoe soles.
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Polyester (PBT, PET)

Polyester resins combine excellent mechanical, electrical and thermal properties with very good chemical resistance and dimensional stability. The two main types of polyester used in the marketplace is PET (PolyEthyleneTerephthalate), used mostly in film applications and bottles, and PBT (PolyButyleneTerephthalate), used in moldings and extrusions. The polyesters were developed around the same time that Nylon was developed and showed much lower moisture absorption than the polyamides. Polyesters are engineering plastics with excellent processing characteristics and come in various grades which include glass reinforced and flame retardant variants. Polyesters are typically characterized by thier extreme low water absorption, exceptional dimensional stability, excellent electrical properties, good resistance to chemical attack (exception is alkalis which will hydrolyse the ester linkages), high environmental stress cracking resistance, very good heat and heat aging resistance, very low creep, even at elevated temperatures, very good color stability and excellent wear properties. Applications include film, packaging, bottles, electrical connectors, pump components, gears, window wiper holders, auto mirror housings, circuit breakers, switches, mobile phone casings, textile bobbins, meter housings, fibers and low energy light bulb bases.
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Polyetherimide (Ultem)

Polyetherimide (Ultem) is an amorphous , high performance thermoplastic with a continuous use temperature of around 170 °C. Ultem also exhibits high strength, modulus and broad chemical resistance. Ultem is inherently flame resistant with low smoke emission with some grades having a UL 94 V-0 rating at a thickness of 0.25 mm. Other grades show a high dielectric constant and dissipation factor over a wide range of temperatures and frequencies. Ultem also shows excellent resistance to repeated sterilizations using steam, autoclave, gamma radiation or ethylene oxide making it useful for a number of medical applications. Other applications include cookware, cooking utensils, fiber optic connectors, under hood automotive components, hydraulic pump components, medical instrument trays, hardware and fasteners and HVAC applications.
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Polyisoprene Rubber

Polyisoprene Rubber is the synthetic version of Natural Rubber. The polymerization of polyisoprene dates back over 100 years. However, attempts to synthesis a polymer that matched natural rubber's properties had to wait until the advent of sterospecific catalyst systems (Ziegler-Natta) to produce high cis-1,4-polyisoprene (98.5%) polymers that virtually duplicate the behavior and properties of natural rubber. Although similar to natural rubber, polyisoprene still demonstrates lower green strength, slower cure rates, lower hot tear, and lower aged properties than its natural counterpart. Polyisoprene, however, is superior in mixing, extrusion, molding and calendering due to it's molecular weight , structure and consistency from lot to lot. Polyisoprene, like natural rubber, exhibit good inherent tack, high compounded gum tensile, good hysteresis and good hot tensile properties. Polyisoprene can be compounded for any of the molding and shaping operations such as compression, transfer, injection and extrusion molding. The compounds of polyisoprene can be formulated to have high tensile strenth, high modulus, a high degree of resilience and excellent compression set resistance. Polyisoprene is used in a wide variety of industries which require low water swell, high gum tensile strength, good resilience, high hot tensile and good tack. Gum compounds are used in rubber bands, baby bottle nipples, pacifiers, one way sealing valves, septums and extruded hose and tubing. Black loaded compounds are used in tires, motor mounts, pipe gaskets, shock absorber bushings, and many other molded and mechanical goods. Mineral filled systems find application in footwear, sponge, parmaceutical supplies and sporting goods.
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Polypropylene

Polypropylene is an inexpensive long chain polymer made from propylene monomer and is similar to Polyethylene but with methyl groups attached at every second carbon atom on the polymer backbone. Depending on catalyst and polymerization method, the molecular configuration can be altered to produce either atactic, isotactic or syndiotactic polypropylene. Atactic polypropylene is tacky, amorphous and usually low in molecular weight. It is used as a "plasticizer" by reducing the crystallinity of the polypropylene. Small amounts of atactic polymer provides improvement in certain mechanical properties such as improved low temperature performance, elongation, processability and optical properties. However this additional atactic polymer sacrifices flexural modulus (stiffness) and long-term heat aging properties. Isotactic polypropylene is the most stereo-regular structure giving it a high degree of crystallinity. High crystallinity imparts improved chemical resistance, rigidity, strength, creep resistance, heat resistance and stress cracking resistance. The major advantages polypropylene has over polyethylene is it's higher temperature resistance and tensile strength. Syndiotactic polypropylene is just recently becoming a commercially available product. There are also polypropylenes that have a block arrangement of atactic and isotactic blocks in the same polymer chain making an elastomeric type of material. Most polypropylene however is of the isotactic variety and is mentioned in the rest of this description. Polypropylene has a lower density in comparison to other thermoplastics (0.88 to 0.93 grams/cubic inch) thus allowing the potential for weight reductions. Polypropylene resists chemical attack from solvents, acids, bases and chemicals in very harsh environments. It has no known solvent at room temperature. Contact with some chemicals, such as liquid hydrocarbons, chlorinated chemicals and strong oxidizing acids, can cause surface crazing and material swelling. Resistance to weathering is limited unless ultraviolet light absorbers and stabilizers are used. Polypropylene has excellent moisture barrier properties, excellent dielectric properties, good optical properties, tear resistance and lastly, excellent fatigue resistance and flexural modulus making polypropylene an excellent material for molded-in hinges. Polypropylene can be manufactured to a high degree of purity making it useful for the semiconductor industry. It is also resistant to bacterial growth making it suitable for disposable syringes and other medical equipment. Polypropylene can be repeatedly autoclaved at 121 °C. Other applications include Australian banknotes, piping, filter material, bottles, outdoor carpet, automotive door panels, bumper facias, instrument panels, pillar trim for head impact, fan shrouds, fender liners, body side moldings, packaging film, caps and closures, pallets, crates, bottles, food containers, housewares, furniture, dish washers, washers and dryers, refrigerators, floor care, small appliances, luggage, toys, battery cases, sporting goods, baby care products, DVD cases, microwave cookware, rope, chemical resistant tanks, laboratory consoles, sinks and ducts, pump components and housings, prosthetic devices, die cutting pads, clean room walls, floors and ceilings, trigger sprayers, totes, pails, buckets, trash cans, lawn furniture, garden tools, hospital disposables, blood and centrifuge tubes, test tubes, beakers, pipette tips, and contact lens casting cups and packaging.
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Polystyrene

Polystyrene is an inexpensive thermoplastic that is designed for applications requiring excellent electrical and mechanical properties together with good processability. Polystryrenes have well balanced physical properties and are generally transparent (crystal clear), but are available in various colors. Polystyrene grades have reasonable chemical resistance and are resistant to alkalies, salts, lower alcohols and weak acids. Polystryene has low moisture absorption, good dimensional stability, good electrical properties, low dielectric loss, excellent resistance to gamma radiation, great insulation properties and also comply with FDA regulations. Polystyrenes limitations are brittleness (unless formulated with small amounts of polybutadiene (High impact polystyrene)), low deflection temperatures (82-88 °C.), softens slightly above 100 °C. and becomes a viscous liquid at around 185 °C., poor resistance to organic solvents, inherently poor outdoor weathering resistance (polystyrene turns yellow and crazes on exposure to UV) and is flammable though some of these limitations can be compounded around with slight loss of strength and electrical properties. Applications for polystyrene include foam insulation, plastic model kits, disposable eating utensils and packaging, translucent window panels, storage battery cases, refrigerator linings, drinking cups, bathroom cabinets, toilet seats, instrument control knobs, toys and novelties, refrigerator trays and boxes, cosmetic packs, costume jewelry, lighting diffusers, audio cassette and CD cases, food packaging, tissue culture trays, test tubes, petri dishes, diagnostic components, test kit housings, computer enclosures, co-axial cable separators, handles and splash shields.
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Polytrope

Polytrope is a proprietary material offered by A. Schulman Company. Polytrope� products are elastomer-modified polyolefins, which span a wide range of hardness and flexibility with excellent cold temperature impact resistance. Polytrope� grades are available as paintable or weather resistant color matched products, either fully compounded or blends with color concentrates. Grades are designed for injection molding, extrusion and blow molding. Polytrope� properties lend themselves to a wide variety of applications in the recreational vehicle, power equipment, construction and automotive (i.e., bodyside claddings, rocker panels, wheel flares and running boards) industries.
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Polyurethane

Thermoplastic polyurethanes encompass a large group of products that contain the characteristic urethane (O-CO-NH) group in the polymer backbone. Urethane systems are prepared by reaction of difunctional polyols and diisocyanates. The lower the molecular weight of the polyol, the harder the polyurethane. The polyol portion is typically either a polyester, a polyether or a glycol. Other materials are used in the polymerization of polyurethanes to give other properties but are not true "polyurethanes" such as diamines and polycarbonates. A number of companies offer thermoplastic polyurethanes (see Elastollan, Estane, and Pellethane ). Advantages of the thermoplastic polyurethanes include wide range of hardnesses, good abrasion and tear resistance, good energy absorption, transparency in some grades, good adhesion to metal and other materials and resistance to oils. Polyether based polyurethanes are superior to polyester based polyurethanes in terms of resistance to hydrolysis, hysteresis, heat build-up and low temperature impact, but polyether polyurethanes are inferior to polyester polyurethanes for oil and abrasion resistance, ageing and general mechanical properties. Disadvantages include high smoke emission, high hysteresis (excessive heat generation during fatigue loading), limited chemical and UV resistance, continuous use temperatures of only 70 °C., tendency to absorb moisture and limited electrical use. Applications include rollers, bearings, gears, shock mountings, shoe heels, car bumpers and inflatable products. Also see Polyurethane Rubber.
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Polyurethane Rubber

Polyurethane Rubber is similar to the thermoplastic polyurethanes except that the polymer is polymerized into a millable gum so it can be processed on traditional rubber processing machinery such as two roll mills and Banbury mixers and crosslinked during compression, transfer or injection molding. In the urethane millable gum polymers, which usually have relatively low concentrations of urethane groups, hydrogen bonding is distributed randomly along the polymer chains allowing the gums to be easily processed and chemically crosslinked like rubber to yield strong crosslinked elastomers. In general, carbon black reinforced compositions show high tensile and tear strength. Polyester based gums will exhibit good oil and solvent resistance. Polyether based gums will show improved low temperature resistance as well as better hydrolytic stability. Peroxide cured systems will lead to improved compression set resistance and better aging. All systems exhibit the characteristic urethane properties of high tensile strength, abrasion resistance, oil resistance, ozone and nitrogen permeability resistance, dynamic load bearing ability, high resilience and temperature resistance up to 120� C. Applications include, business machines, automotive, textiles, footwear, roller coverings, belts, o-rings, gaskets, diaphragms, seals, vibration isolators, bumpers, impellers, hose, castor wheels, conveyor belts and shoe soles.
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Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is the most versatile of all plastics. PVC is also known as simply "Vinyl" and is similar to polyethylene with a chlorine atom attached to every other carbon atom in the backbone of the polymer. PVC is an inexpensive, amorphous thermoplastic with very good chemical and water resistance produced by emulsion or suspension polymerization of the gaseous monomer vinyl chloride. Regardless of the type and end use, PVC must have additives because the polymer is vulnerable to heat and light. Typical additives include heat and light stabilizers, plasticizers, lubricants, impact modifiers, processing aids, color pigments, dyes, flame retardants, fillers and fungicides. PVC is usually sold in two basic types, rigid or flexible. Rigid usually refers to unplasticized PVC homopolymer, though it can have up to 20 parts plasticizer per hundred weight polymer. Normally rigid PVC contains polymer, stabilizer, lubricant and sometimes impact modifier. Products made from rigid PVC are hard, tough and difficult to process, but have fairly good outdoor stability, superior electrical properties, excellent resistance to moisture and chemicals, self extinguishing and have excellent dimensional stability. Applications include piping for drains, waste, venting, water distribution, irrigation systems, house siding, window sash, building panels, rain gutters, downspouts, flashing, wall tile and outdoor furniture. Flexible PVC contains signigicant amounts of plasticizer, from 20 to 50 plus parts per hundred weight. This makes the material flexible and easy to process. It has lower strength, lower heat resistance and poor weathering properties compared with rigid PVC. Flexible PVC is used in cable and wire insulation, floor and wall coverings, laboratory tubing, packaging film, shower curtains, corrugated sheeting, weatherstripping, window frames, blood and intravenous bags and tubing, inflatable splints, endotracheal tubing, catheters, incontinence products, garden hose and many many more uses.
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Santoprene

Santoprene is a proprietary material offered by Advanced Elastomer Systems, L.P.A. Santoprene� products are elastomeric alloys that have undergone a proprietary alloying treatment to achieve a synergistic interaction of component polymers. The result is a material with properties superior to those of simple mechanical blends. The two phase alloy utilizes a polyolefin matrix for the hard phase, with a highly vulcanized elastomer such as EPDM or nitrile rubber for the soft phase. The soft phase is finely divided and evenly dispersed throughout the polyolefin matrix. Elastomeric alloys range in hardness from 55 Shore A to 50 Shore D. Resistance to polar fluids is rated as excellent. Resistance to oils and hydrocarbon fluids is fair to good depending on the nature of the soft phase. Maximum continuous service temperature is 135 °C. Applications include hose jacketing, air ducts, convoluted boots, seals, grommets, o-rings, gaskets, bushings, tubing, housings, vibration dampers, grips, weather seals, bumpers, feet, toys, sporting goods and syringe tips.
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Sarlink

Sarlink is a proprietary material offered by DSM Corporation. Sarlink� products are elastomeric alloys that have undergone a proprietary alloying treatment to achieve a synergistic interaction of component polymers. The result is a material with properties superior to those of simple mechanical blends. The two phase alloy utilizes a polypropylene matrix for the hard phase, with a highly vulcanized EPDM for the soft phase. The soft phase is finely divided and evenly dispersed throughout the polypropylene matrix. Sarlink alloys range in hardness from 35 Shore A to 50 Shore D. Resistance to polar fluids is rated as excellent. Resistance to oils and hydrocarbon fluids is fair. Maximum continuous service temperature is 135 °C. Applications include hose jacketing, air ducts, convoluted boots, seals, grommets, o-rings, gaskets, bushings, tubing, housings, vibration dampers, grips, weather seals, bumpers, feet, toys, sporting goods and pressure relief valves.
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Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) is an economical general purpose synthetic rubber that was originally produced by the government during WWII as GR-S. It is a copolymer of styrene and butadiene monomer and is emulsion or solution polymerized. Hot, cold and solution polymerized SBR is available. The chains of emulsion polymerized SBR are random sequences of these two monomers and so therefore do not crystalize on stretching. Solution polymerized SBR can be tailored to accomodate random structures, ordered structures and block structures. To develop high tensile strengths, styrene butadiene polymers must be compounded with carbon black and other reinforcing pigments. The hot polymerized product tends to have higher molecular weight and branching and typically performs best in processing and product improvements. Cold polymerized SBR shows better performance in hysterisis and heat buildup, abrasion resistance and cut growth resistance. Solution polymerized SBR shows increased performance in these same areas but are generally more expensive. Most products utilize SBR to blend with other polymers to balance performance requirements utilizing SBR's economical cost, toughness and abrasion resistance. About 75% of SBR made goes into the manufacture of tires. The rest goes into shoes and other footwear, molded goods, sponge and foamed products, waterproofed materials, hoses, belting, adhesives, flooring and wire and cabling. Emulsion SBR is utilized extensively in carpet backing, paper coating and the construction industry.
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http://www.ticona.com/index/products/index/products/uhmw-pe

Ultra High Molececular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is an extremely high viscosity polymer that is produced in the form of a powder. Molecular weights can range from a low of around 3 million grams/mole to as high as 10 million. The exceptional attributes of UHMWPE are high abrasion resistance, excellent cut resistance, low coefficient of friction (close to that of Teflon with abrasion resistance 30 times better) and unparalleled impact resistance even in cryogenic environments. While impact strength is optimized at about 3.5 - 4.0 million grams/molecule, abrasion resistance continues to improve as the molecular weight increases. As a result of its high molecular weight and viscosity, it generally cannot be processed by the common methods used for ordinary thermoplastics. Compression molding and ram extrusion processes are used to generate the high pressure needed to fuse UHMWPE particles together into stock profiles with subsequent machining as needed. Some grades are available that can be injection molded. UHMWPE has similar weathering and chemical resistance as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) though upper temperature usage under 50 °C. will keep its unique properties intact. Other properties include high energy absorption at high stress rates, very good chemical resistance against acids, bases and aggressive gasses, high resistance to stress cracking, very good noise reduction, biocompatible, physiologically inert (suitable for food contact), lightweight, low water absorption, very good electrical insulating and dielectric properties and excellent machinability. Applications include material handling equipment, dishwasher spray nozzle bearings, freezer sliding door guides, refrigerator door stops, belt sander idler pulleys, seat belt guides, window guides, seat adjustment elements, trunk lid catch, rail air brake cylinder seal, rollers, gear wheels, bearings, bushings, chain tightners, pump impellors, gate valves, elevator gibs, garage door guides, snowboard bindings, snowmobile parts, treadmill pulleys, battery separators, medical implants, bumpers, packaging equipment wear strips, feed screws and star wheels. Fibers of UHMWPE have a tensile strength 20 times greater than that of steel, making it excellent for use in bullet proof vests, cut resistant gloves and psychiatric clothing.
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Thermoplastics (just a few examples)

Thermoset Elastomers (Rubber)

Thermoplastic Elastomers

ABS