How to choose suitable engineering plastic raw materials according to specific needs

The selection of suitable engineering plastic raw materials is based on the core requirements of the product usage scenario, and is screened layer by layer from the three dimensions of performance, processing, and cost, ultimately matching the most suitable materials.

1、 Step 1: Clarify the core performance requirements (selection basis)

Firstly, identify the most critical 1-2 performance indicators of the product during use, which is the first step in eliminating most unsuitable materials.

1. Mechanical performance priority: If the product needs to withstand impact, tension, or friction, special attention should be paid to strength, toughness, and wear resistance.

Choose POM (polyoxymethylene) for high wear resistance, such as gears and bearings.

Choose PC (polycarbonate) for high toughness and impact resistance, such as phone cases and lampshades.

Choose PA (nylon) for high strength and fatigue resistance, such as automotive wire harness ties and mechanical structural components.

2. Temperature resistance priority: If the product is exposed to high or low temperature environments for a long time, the temperature resistance range needs to be confirmed.

Choose PBT (fiberglass reinforced) for medium temperature scenarios (100-150 ℃), such as electronic connectors.

Choose PPO (polyphenylene oxide) or PSU (polysulfone) for high temperature scenarios (>150 ℃), such as engine peripheral components and high-temperature resistant electrical enclosures.

3. Special performance priority: If there are requirements for transparency, chemical resistance, insulation, etc., they will directly correspond to specific materials.

Choose PC for transparency and impact resistance, such as transparent lampshades and baby bottles.

Choose PSU or PEEK (high-performance) for acid and alkali corrosion resistance, such as medical devices and chemical equipment components.

Choose PBT or PPO for high insulation properties, such as electronic component casings.

2、 Step 2: Match processing and production requirements

After meeting the performance standards, it is necessary to determine whether the material can be processed based on the production process to avoid the problem of "suitable performance but unable to produce".

1. Molding process adaptation: Different processes have specific requirements for material flowability and melting point.

Injection molding: Priority should be given to materials with good flowability, such as copolymer POM and PC/ABS alloy, with a wide processing window and less prone to defects.

Extrusion molding (such as pipes and sheets): Select materials with high melt strength, such as PA and PC, to avoid breakage during molding.

2. Accuracy requirement adaptation: If the product has high dimensional accuracy (such as precision gears), materials with good dimensional stability should be selected, with POM being preferred, followed by fiberglass reinforced PA; Avoid selecting unmodified PA with strong moisture absorption, as it may deform due to water absorption.

3、 Step 3: Balance cost and cost-effectiveness

Under the premise of meeting both performance and processing requirements, select the final solution through cost optimization.

1. Priority selection of materials: If ordinary performance is sufficient, priority should be given to using general engineering plastics such as PA, PC, POM, PBT, etc., which have lower costs and mature supply chains.

2. Replacing high-performance materials with modified materials: If there is a slight need to improve a certain performance, universal materials can be optimized through modification (such as adding fiberglass or flame retardants) to replace expensive high-performance materials. For example, replacing some PEEK with "glass fiber reinforced PA66" can reduce costs while meeting strength requirements.

3. Avoid excessive selection: No need for high-temperature resistant ordinary structural components, no need to choose PSU; No need for high toughness small components, no need to choose PC, to avoid performance redundancy and cost waste.