Plastic is a material that consists mainly of polymers. These polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating basic units, the monomers. Important properties of plastics, such as elasticity, temperature resistance, chemical resistance and many other properties, can be greatly influenced by the addition of additives. Plastics can be divided into three main groups: [...]
- Thermoplastics: These materials are mouldable when heated and can be heated and moulded several times. Examples include polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA) and polypropylene (PP).
- Thermosets: These plastics can no longer be moulded after curing. They are hard and brittle, such as epoxy resins.
- Elastomers: These materials have rubber-elastic properties and can stretch considerably, but return to their original shape. Examples of elastomers are natural rubber (NR) or ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM).
Hamco processes almost all thermoplastics, as well as thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), cross-linked thermoplastic elastomers (TPV) and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU).
Optimised plastisols based on soft PVC are used for the respective application in our dipping shop and for the coatings
Overview of plastics
| Abbreviation | Type of raw material | Plastic | Largely resistant to (among others) | Properties | Operating temperatures (approx.) in °C | Area of application (examples) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | Granules | Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer | Resistant to water, aqueous salt solutions, diluted acids and alkalis; saturated hydrocarbons (petrol), mineral oils; animal and vegetable fats | Brilliant surface, rigid, scratch-resistant, dimensionally stable, impact-resistant, galvanisable, low weather resistance | -40 to 85 | Aesthetic plastic products |
| PA | Granules | Polyamide | Polyamides are polar and resistant to diluted alkalis, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, fuels, alcohols, esters, ketones, fats and oils. They are not resistant to strong acids - they are already attacked by concentrated formic acid at room temperature - and bases as well as chlorinated hydrocarbons. | High strength and rigidity, excellent impact strength and good abrasion and wear resistance. | -30 to 105 | Tubes, screws, nuts, washers, bearing and sliding elements |
| PC | Granules | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate is resistant to diluted acids, many oils and fats as well as ethanol, but is not resistant to bases, aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons, ketones and esters. Insulating properties. | Impact resistant, medium to high stiffness, high transparency, low shrinkage | -40 to 120 | Housing, structural components (headlights, lenses) |
| PE | Granules | Polyethylene | Polyethylene has good electrical insulating properties and has good chemical resistance to a variety of acids, bases, oils and fats. | High elasticity, cold impact resistance, good sliding behaviour, hardly printable, hardly adhesive | up to 50 | Caps, plugs, storage and transport containers |
| PE-HD | Granules | Polyethylene, high density | PE-HD also for fuel tanks | High elasticity, cold impact resistance, good sliding behaviour, hardly printable, hardly adhesive | -50 to 90 | Plugs and caps |
| PE-LD | Granules | Polyethylene, low density | PE-LD only very limited resistance to hydrocarbons | High elasticity, cold impact resistance, good sliding behaviour, hardly printable, hardly adhesive | -40 to 80 | Protective caps, lids, handles |
| PP | Granules | Polypropylene | Due to its non-polar character, PP is chemically very resistant. It is resistant to aqueous solutions of salts, strong acids and alkalis up to 120 °C, and possibly also to washing lyes. The highly crystalline grades have the best resistance to polar organic solvents, alcohols, esters, ketones, fats and oils. | High air permeability, low water absorption | -10 to 100 | Handles, plugs, covers, tubes, containers, canisters medical applications |
| PVC-P | Granulate / Plastisol | Soft PVC | Salt solutions, diluted acids, diluted alkalis | Very elastic, high dielectric strength, good insulator | -30 to 60 | Caps, plugs, handles, covers |
| PVC-U | Granules | Rigid PVC | Salt solutions, acids, alkalis, fats, oils | High dielectric strength, good insulator | -30 to 60 | Caps, closures |
| TPE | Granules | Thermoplastic elastomers | Diluted acids, bases, surfactants, alcohols | High elasticity, wide thermal application range | -30 to 120 | Handles, seals, plugs, |
| TPU (TPE-U) | Granules | Thermoplastic polyurethanes | Oils and fats | High elasticity, wide thermal application range | -30 to 120 | Handles, seals, plugs, |
| TPV (TPE-V) | Granules | Cross-linked thermoplastic elastomers | Diluted acids, bases, surfactants, alcohols | High elasticity, wide thermal application range | -30 to 120 | Handles, seals, plugs, |
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