Choosing the right plastic can make or break a component. Whether it's strength, appearance, temperature resistance, or cost – material selection affects all key properties of a product. Here's an overview of important criteria and practical examples from real-world applications. 

Specific recommendations for individual plastics can be found in our Plastics List.

1. Mechanical Load and Stiffness

• ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol): Commonly used for appliance housings. Offers good impact resistance and easy processing.

• PC (Polycarbonat): Extremely impact-resistant – ideal for protective covers or transparent, high-stress components.

• PA6 GF30 (polyamide with 30% glass fiber content): For highly stressed technical components, such as engine parts and bearing housings.

2. Temperature and Chemical Resistance

• PPS (Polyphenylensulfid): For components in engine compartments and electrical insulators.

• PEEK (Polyetheretherketon): High-temperature resistant – suitable for applications such as medical implants or aerospace components.

• PP (Polypropylen): Excellent chemical resistance – used in laboratory containers or washing machine components.

3. Appearance and Surface Quality

• PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylat): Highly transparent plastic for displays, light guides, and covers.

• SAN (Styrol-Acrylnitril): Glossy, scratch-resistant surfaces – commonly used in kitchen appliances.

• TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomers): Soft-touch surfaces for grips and control panels.

4. Sustainability and Recycling

• Recycled ABS or PP: Used in non-safety-critical components, such as interior panels.

• Bio-based plastics (PLA, Bio-PE): For environmentally friendly packaging and disposable products.

5. Cost Efficiency and Availability

• PS (Polystyrol): Low-cost and easy to process – suitable for packaging components, for example.

• PP (Polypropylen): Affordable and versatile, with excellent availability.

Specific Examples from our Projects

The components shown below are practical examples from our projects, illustrating material choices made during development.

• On the left, two construction helmets are shown – one made of ABS and the other of PE. The impact-modified ABS focuses on helmet performance, while the PE version emphasizes cost-efficiency. Due to differences in shrinkage rates and stiffness, two separate tools were created for production. 
• On the right, a water filter is shown. The housing components are subjected to significant localized forces from the pipe connections of household water lines. To withstand these loads and prevent stress cracking caused by the metal insert, an impact-resistant Tritan was selected.