ABS (Acrylonitrile -Butadiene-Styrene): Very tough, yet hard and rigid; fair chemical resistance; low water absorption, hence good dimensional stability; high abrasion resistance; some grades are easily electroplated.

Acetal: Very strong, stiff engineering plastic with exceptional dimensional stability and resistance to creep and vibration fatigue; low coefficient of friction; high resistance to abrasion and chemicals; retains most properties when immersed in hot water; low tendency to stress-crack.

Acrylic: High optical clarity; excellent resistance to outdoor weathering; hard, glossy surface; excellent electrical properties, fair chemical resistance; available in brilliant, transparent colors.

Cellulosics: Family of tough, hard materials; cellulose acetate, propionate, butyrate, and ethyl cellulose. Property ranges are broad because of compounding; available with various degrees of weather, moisture, and chemical resistance; fair to poor dimensional stability; brilliant colors.

Fluoroplastics: Large family (PTFE, FEP, PFA, CTFE, ECTFE, ETFE, and PVDF) of materials characterized by excellent electrical and chemical resistance, low friction, and outstanding stability at high temperatures; strength is low to moderate; cost is high.

Nylon (polyamide): Family of engineering resins having outstanding toughness and wear resistance; low coefficient of friction, and excellent electrical properties and chemical resistance. Resins are hygroscopc; dimensional stability is poorer than that of most other engineering plastics.

Phenylene Oxide: Excellent dimensional stability (very low moisture absorption); superior mechanical and electrical properties over a wide temperature range. Resists most chemicals, but is attacked by some hydrocarbons.

Polycarbonate: Highest impact resistance of any rigid, transparent plastic; excellent outdoor stability and resistance to creep under load; fair chemical resistance; some aromatic solvents cause stress cracking.

Polyester: Excellent dimensional stability, electrical properties, toughness, and chemical resistance, except to strong acids or bases; notch sensitive; not suitable for outdoor use or for service in hot water; also available in thermosetting formulations.

Polyethylene: Wide variety of grades: low, medium, and high density formulations. LD types are flexible and tough. MD and HD types are stronger, harder, and more rigid; all are lightweight, easy to process, low-cost materials; poor dimensional stability and heat resistance; excellent chemical resistance and electrical properties. Also available in ultrahigh-molecular weight and in linear low-density grades.

Polyimide: Outstanding resistance to heat (550F) continuous. 900F coefficient of thermal expansion; excellent electrical properties: difficult to process by conventional methods; high cost.

Polyphenylene Sulfide: Outstanding chemical and heat resistance (450F continuous); excellent low-temperature strength; inert to most chemicals over a wide temperature range; inherently flame retardant; requires high processing temperature.

Polypropylene: Outstanding resistance to flex and stress cracking; excellent chemical resistance and electrical properties; good impact strength above 15F; good thermal stability ; light weight, low cost. Some grades can be electroplated.

Polystyrene: Low cost, easy to process, rigid, crystal-clear, brittle material; low moisture absorption, low heat resistance, poor outdoor stability; often modified to improve heat or impact resistance.

Polysulfone: Highest heat-deflection temperature of melt-processable thermoplastic; requires high processing temperature; tough (but notch sensitive), strong, and stiff; excellent electrical properties and dimensional stability, even at high temperature; can be electroplated; high cost.

Polyurethane: Tough, extremely abrasion and impact resistant material; good electrical properties and chemical resistance; can be made into films, solid moldings, or flexible foams; UV exposure produces brittleness, lower properties and yellowing; also made in thermoset formulations.

Polyvinyl Chloride: Many formulations available; rigid grades are hard, tough, and have excellent electrical properties, outdoor stability, and resistance to moisture and chemicals; flexible grades are easier to process but have lower properties; heat resistance is low to moderate for most types; low cost.

DISCLAIMER: THE MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS OF THE BUSINESSES MAKING UP THE GE PLASTICS UNIT OF GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES ("GEP"), ARE SOLD SUBJECT TO GE POLYMERLAND'S STANDARD CONDITIONS OF SALE, WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICABLE DISTRIBUTOR OR OTHER SALES AGREEMENT, PRINTED ON THE BACK OF ORDER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND INVOICES, AND AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. ALTHOUGH ANY INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS, OR ADVICE CONTAINED HEREIN IS GIVEN IN GOOD FAITH, GE POLYMERLAND MAKES NO WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, (I) THAT RESULTS DESCRIBED HEREIN WILL BE OBTAINED UNDER END-USE CONDITIONS, OR (II) AS TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OR SAFETY OF ANY DESIGN INCORPORATING GE POLYMERLAND MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, RECOMMENDATIONS OR ADVICE. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN GE POLYMERLAND'S STANDARD CONDITIONS OF SALE, GE POLYMERLAND AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES SHALL IN NO EVENT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS RESULTING FROM ANY USE OF ITS MATERIALS OR PRODUCTS DESCRIBED HEREIN. Each user bears full responsibility for making its own determination as to the suitability of GE Polymerland's materials, products, recommendations, or advice for its own particular use. Each user must identify and perform all tests and analyses necessary to assure that its finished parts incorporating GE Polymerland materials or products will be safe and suitable for use under end-use conditions. Nothing in this or any other document, nor any oral recommendation or advice, shall be deemed to alter, vary, supersede, or waive any provision of GE Polymerland's Standard Conditions of Sale or this Disclaimer, unless any such modification is specially agreed to in a writing signed by GE Polymerland. No statement contained herein concerning a possible or suggested use of any material, product or design is intended or should be construed, to grant any license under any patent or other intellectual property right of General Electric Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates covering such use or design, or as a recommendation for the use of such material, product or design in the infringement of any patent or other intellectual property right.

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