Guide to Materials Selection

ABS

Description: This low-cost engineering plastic offers exceptional mechanical and surface strength for a wide range of parts used in high-impact applications.

Characteristics: Pne of the common Prototype CNC machining material,Easily machined, thermoformed and heat-formed, ABS can also be painted and glued for added versatility. Excellent thermal and dimensional stability expand its machinability to pre-production ABS machining prototypes.

Applications: General Household items, Toys, Automotive Parts, kitchen Appliances, Computer Parts, Laboratory Equipment, Phone/Fax machine parts, Electrical/Electronic enclosures, Aircraft and automotive interior trims

Finish Available: Machine Finish, Smooth Finish, Sand Blast, Polished Finish, Painted or Grey Primered, Electroplated

Remarks: Natural raw material is available in Cream White colour. Large and complex parts with undercuts can be easily made in sections and glued. Economical option for prototype CNC machining.

Weaknesses: Not suitable for Petroleum-based oils, paints and solvents. Moderate heat, moisture and chemical, weathering resistance. Can easily scratch. Flammable with high smoke generation.

CreateProto’s types of materials: ABS – Natural ABS – Black ABS – Flame Retardant UL-94V0

Density (g/cm³): 1.06

Water Absorption (%): 0.25

Tensile Strength (Mpa): 38

Tensile Modulus (MPa): 2100

Elongation at break (%): 35

Izod impact Strength Notched (J/m): 300

Flexural Strength (MPa): 65

Flexural Modulus (MPa): 200

Heat Deflection Temp – 0.46MPa ©: 98

Heat Deflection Temp – 1.8MPa ©: 94

Polycarbonate -PC

Description: Unfilled PolyCarbonate (PC) is a tough and durable, transparent engineering thermoplastic notable for its high impact resistance, temperature resistance and optical properties.

Characteristics: High Impact resistance, Good Dimensional Stability, Excellent strength retention at elevated temperatures, Low coefficient of thermal expansion, Good Dimensional Stability. Good electrical insulator and having Heat resistant and Flame retardant properties.

Applications: Automotive headlamp Lenses and Safety Shields, Medical/Healthcare apparatus, Automotive Applications, Construction Industry, Sporting Goods, Appliances, Casing and housings, Electrical/Electronic components, Connectors, Compact Discs, Telecommunication Hardware

Finish Available: Machine Finish, Smooth Finish, Sand Blast, Mirror Polish, Vapor Polish , Translucent finish (Foggy look like Lamp Shade), Painted or Grey Primered

Remarks: Typically parts have translucent look after prototype CNC machining but transparency can be achieved by highly polishing. It’s strength, durability, impact resistance and transparency make it an ideal material for certain structural applications. Large and complex parts with undercuts can be made in sections and glued.

Weaknesses: Subject to cracking due to stress, Moderate resistance to Chemicals, Low scratch-resistance.

CreateProto’s types of materials: PC – Clear PC – Black PC 20% GF – Black

Density (g/cm³): 1.2

Water Absorption (%): 0.15

Tensile Strength (Mpa): 64

Tensile Modulus (MPa): 2200

Elongation at break (%): 75

Izod impact Strength Notched (J/m): 750

Flexural Strength (MPa): 95

Flexural Modulus (MPa): 2300

Heat Deflection Temp – 0.46MPa ©: 138

Heat Deflection Temp – 1.8MPa ©: 130

Acrylic -PMMA

Description: Also known as PMMA (PolyMethyl-MetaAcrylate) is an amorphous thermoplastic material with very good optical properties. Acrylic is often used as a glass substitute. Acrylic

Characteristics: Excellent optical clarity, Good Abrasion Resistance, Excellent environmental stability, Good Heat Resistance, Good Chemical Resistance. Flammable but low smoke emission.

Applications: Automotive light covers, Lighting fixtures, Clear Bottles and Container prototypes, Lenses, Shop-fittings, Aircraft glazing, Novelty display cases, Signs, Appliances, Modern furniture, Jewelry items, Medical/Healthcare Applications. PMMA has a good degree of compatibility with human tissues.

Finish Available: Machine Finish, Smooth Finish, Mirror Polish, Flame Polish ,Translucent Finish, Painted or Tinted finish

Remarks: PMMA is one of the economical CNC Machining Material alternative to Polycarbonate (PC) when extreme strength is not necessary. Common trade names of Acrylic include Plexiglas, Lucite and Perspex. Large and difficult parts can be easily glued.

Weaknesses: Poor impact resistance, Subject to stress cracking, Not suitable for use with chlorinated or aromatic hydrocarbons. Brittle nature, PMMA swells and dissolves in many organic solvents.

CreateProto’s types of materials: PMMA – Clear PMMA – Black

Density (g/cm³): 1.18

Water Absorption (%): 0.4

Tensile Strength (Mpa): 70

Tensile Modulus (MPa): 2800

Elongation at break (%): 10

Izod impact Strength Notched (J/m): 22

Flexural Strength (MPa): 96

Flexural Modulus (MPa): 3200

Heat Deflection Temp – 0.46MPa ©: 110

Heat Deflection Temp – 1.8MPa ©: 95

Acetal -POM

Description: Acetal also known as POM (PolyOxyMethylene) is an engineering Thermoplastic often used for precision components that require high stiffness, low friction and excellent dimensional stability.

Characteristics: Excellent abrasion resistant Good working temperature, Glossy appearance, Excellent durability Self-lubricant Good stiffness, strength & Hardness. Wide range Chemical resistance (including many solvents). Good Electrical and Dielectric properties.

Applications: Gears, Bearings, Screws, Pump parts, Electronic components, Insulators, Medical parts, Furniture hardware, Valve bodies, Zippers, Underwater applications.

Finish Available: Machine finish, Smooth Finish, Sand Blast, Polished finish

Remarks: Easy to machine but very difficult to bond. Good appearance with gloss finish. Acetals often compete with Nylons for many of the same applications but dimensionally stable than Nylon under wet and humid conditions.

Weaknesses: Very difficult to bond, Poor resistance to acids, Flammable and High Specific Gravity. Difficult to paint. Large and thin parts with irregular wall section are prone to warpage.

CreateProto’s types of materials: Acetal – Natural (White) Acetal – Black

Density (g/cm³): 1.41

Water Absorption (%): 0.27

Tensile Strength (Mpa): 67

Tensile Modulus (MPa): 2900

Elongation at break (%): 40

Izod impact Strength Notched (J/m): 100

Flexural Strength (MPa): 87

Flexural Modulus (MPa): 2900

Heat Deflection Temp – 0.46MPa ©: 165

Heat Deflection Temp – 1.8MPa ©: 125

Nylon-PA

Description: Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as PA PolyAmides. Nylons (Polyamides) comprise the largest family of engineering plastics with a very wide range of applications. Nylons are generally Strong, Tough and Wear Resistant.

Characteristics: Excellent abrasion resistance, High elongation, Good resistance to fuels, oils and solvents but is affected by acids and strong bases. Good Toughness, High Tensile Strength, High Impact Resistance, Good Dimensional Stability.

Applications: Ideal for wear applications such as Bearings and Gears, Sporting Goods, Fishing line, Automotive Parts, Tanks, Engineering Parts, Power Tools, Intake Manifolds.

Finish Available: Machine Finish, Smooth Finish, Sand Blast.

Remarks: Nylons are commonly used in textiles, automotive, carpet and sportswear due to their extreme durability and strength. Nylon has better wear-resistance than Acetal, but do not have good moisture resistance which makes it unsuitable to high-humidity.

Weaknesses: High Moisture absorptivity degrades electrical and mechanical properties. Attacked by strong Acids, Bases, Oxidizing agents. High Notch sensitivity.

CreateProto's types of materials: Nylon 6/6 – Natural (White) Nylon 6/6 30%GF – Black

Density (g/cm³): 1.14

Water Absorption (%): 1.9

Tensile Strength (Mpa): 75

Tensile Modulus (MPa): 2300

Elongation at break (%): 90

Izod impact Strength Notched (J/m): 100

Flexural Strength (MPa): 80

Flexural Modulus (MPa): 3000

Polypropylene-PP

Description: PolyPropylene is semi-opaque thermoplastic widely used in variety of applications. Polypropylene has good resistance to fatigue. PP offers a combination of outstanding physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal and electrical properties.

Characteristics: Excellent resistance to fatigue. Lightweight with good combination of toughness and flexibility. Resists most alkaline and Acids. Low moisture Absorption and Non-Toxic. Good Impact Resistance. Retains stiffness and flex.

Applications: Appliance housings, Food Packaging, Medical and Laboratory applications because it can withstand the heat in an autoclave, Pump Components, Casings with Living Hinges, Automotive parts, Food Containers, Industrial Applications, Loudspeaker drive units, Household Goods.

Finish Available: Machine Finish, Smooth Finish, Sand Blast.

Remarks: Polypropylene is one of the lightest plastics available. Easy to machine and provide smooth finish. Since PP is resistant to fatigue, makes it suitable for most of plastic living hinged parts, such as flip-top bottle caps.

Weaknesses: Hard to Glue. Degraded by UV radiation, Attacked by chlorinated solvents and aromatics. Large and thin wall sectioned parts are prone to deformation or warpage after machining.

CreateProto’s types of materials: PP – Natural PP – Black PC 20% GF – Black

Density (g/cm³): 0.9

Water Absorption (%): 0.03

Tensile Strength (Mpa): 33

Tensile Modulus (MPa): 1300

Elongation at break (%): 185

Izod impact Strength Notched (J/m): 60

Flexural Strength (MPa): 45

Flexural Modulus (MPa): 1550

Aluminium

Description: Aluminium is the most widely used non-ferrous metal. Aluminium is a soft, Durable, Lightweight, Ductile and Malleable metal with appearance ranging from Silvery to Dull Grey, depending on the surface roughness. Aluminium naturally generates a protective oxide coating and is highly corrosion resistant.

Characteristics: Aluminium is an Excellent Heat and Electricity conductor, Excellent Corrosion resistance, Non-Magnetic and Non-Sparking. Aluminium is 100% recyclable without any loss of its natural qualities. Aluminium is a good reflector of visible Light and Heat.

Applications: Large number of components for Automobiles, Aircraft, Trucks, Trains. Packaging application like beverage cans, foils. Construction industry, Wide range of household items, Consumer Electronics, Heat sinks for electronic appliances.

Finish Available: Machine finish, Polished finish, Mirror Polish, Brushed polish, Bead Blast (To give a Matt textured finish), Anodising, Painting, Powder Coating.

Remarks: Aluminium is a very light metal with a specific weight of 2.7 g/cm3, about a third that of steel. We use Aluminium 6061 and Aluminium 5083 grades for prototype CNC machining.

Weaknesses: Aluminium is a very light metal with a specific weight of 2.7 g/cm3, about a third that of steel. We use Aluminium 6061 and Aluminium 5083 grades for machining.

CreateProto’s types of materials: Aluminum 6061 Aluminum 6061-T6 Aluminum 7075

Density (g/cm³): 2.7

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Material Selection Guide