Comparable Carbon Materials for Common Thermoplastics
Carbon offers comparable materials to traditional thermoplastics used in manufacturing. If you’re not familiar with Carbon resins, you may not know where to start in finding a material that will work for your project. The comparison table pairs familiar thermoplastics with Carbon (or Carbon-certified) materials that have equivalent mechanical properties. The best material for your project will depend on which thermoplastic properties are most important in your application.
Get the PDF for a breakdown of which resin has the thermoplastic properties most important for your application needs.
ABS
ABS (used in Absylux®, Cycolac®, Polystone®, Lustran®, Royalite®, and TECARAN™) is a tough, rigid material with moderate temperature and chemical resistance. In short, it is a workhorse used for everything from electronics enclosures to automotive trim. Carbon offers two materials comparable to ABS.
Polyamides
Polyamides (used in nylons, Zytel®, Vestamid®) are offered with a wide range of properties depending on the specific polyamide (PA6, PA66, PA11, PA12, PA46). Unfilled grades have excellent toughness and stiffness, but are prone to water uptake. Filled grades offer excellent strength, temperature resistance, and chemical resistance. They are used in cable protection systems, fuel caps, and robotics.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate (used in HYDEX®, Makrolon®, Lexan®, TECANAT®, and Zelux®) is often used when strength, impact resistance and temperature resistance are needed in a clear application; for example, electrical components, dome lights, roofing sheets, and CDs.
PMMA
PMMA (used in acrylics) has excellent optical properties with its high-gloss, scratch resistant finish. It has poor chemical resistance and can be brittle though. It’s used in eyeglass lenses, artificial teeth, and exterior lens lights on automobiles.
POM
POM (used in Delrin® and Celcon®) is a stiff and relatively tough material known for its good lubricity, low creep, and excellent fatigue properties. It’s used in mechanical gears, springs, chains, nuts, locks, hinges, and TV parts.
PBT
PBT (used in Crastin®) is notable for its excellent electrical properties. It’s used in EE housings and plug connectors. Unfilled grades are tough and rigid, and filled grades add strength and temperature resistance.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is commonly used for its low cost, excellent acid and base resistance, and flexible, snappy properties with moderate temperature resistance. Filled grades of polypropylene (like talc, mineral, or glass) are used for increased temperature resistance and stiffness. It’s used in flip-top bottles, piping systems, and dishwasher-safe food containers.
High-Performance Thermoplastics
High-Performance Thermoplastics (used in PEEK, PEI (Ultem™), PSU (Udel®, Ultrason®), and PPSU (Radel®)) generally have exceptional temperature and chemical resistance, exhibit high stiffness and toughness, and are commonly available in flame-retardant grades.
Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers (TPU)
Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers (TPUs) have a range of properties including elasticity, tear strength, and chemical and abrasion resistance and come in various durometer measures and resilience. Carbon has a variety of elastomers that are excellent matches for commercial TPU products. The choice of material will depend on the durometer measurement required.