OUR
MATERIALS

Material Selection Guide

Choose from a wide variety of industrial-grade materials

When choosing a material for your component, there are many considerations. Cost, cosmetic appearance, and material properties are just a few things to keep in mind when making a selection. The list below is a sampling of our more commonly used materials, but many more are available upon request.

Still not sure which material would be ideal for your project? Feel free to reach out to us through our contact form or email us at service@gplastics.com.

CNC Machining

Injection Molding

Vacuum Forming

Material	Common Applications	Attributes
ABS	• Automotive components • Marine components	• Impact resistant • Cosmetic qualities • Dimensional stability
Nylon	• Medical components • Automotive components • "General use" material for a wide range of industrial applications	• Temperature resistance • Strength and rigidity
Glass-Filled Nylon	• Washers and stampings • Bearings • Industrial equipment	• Stays stiff and strong in extreme temperatures
Acetal	• Bushings • Gears and cams • Fuel system and seat belt components	• High creep resistance • Good balance of abrasion resistance and stiffness • Highly chemical resistant
Polycarbonate	• Indoor and outdoor lighting • Lenses • Applications requiring a transparent component • Electrical connectors and insulators	• Can be optically clear • Impact resistant • Good dimensional stability
Polypropylene	• Marine and RV products • Automotive products • Consumer goods	• Grades available that are safe for food use/do not leech chemicals • Great impact strength • Great moisture resistance
UHMWPE	• Wear strips and guide rails • Chute, hopper, and truck bed liners	• No moisture absorption • Abrasion resistant • Impact resistant
HDPE	• FDA food processing applications (Natural color only) • Boats and RVs	• Non-staining • No moisture absorption • Cost-effective
Cast Nylon	• Wearpads • Sheaves • Food processing components	• Excellent tensile strength • High module of elasticity • The natural (white) color is FDA, USDA, and 3A dairy compliant
Extruded Nylon	• Mechanical engineering • Food technology • Automotive industry	• Excellent wear properties • Very high strength • Good machinability
Cast Nylon with Moly	• Tooling/fixtures • Bearings and wearpads • Rollers and gears • Washers	• Greater wear resistance than non-MD • Lower surface friction than non-MD
Acetal	• Mechanical components such as gears and valve bodies	• Good wear properties in wet environments • Excellent dimensional consistency
Polycarbonate	• Impact resistant windows and guards • Fences and barriers	• Available in clear • Available in flame-retardant grade
ABS	• Budget friendly, "general use" plastic • Paintable and glue-able	• Lightweight • Somewhat chemical resistant • Good impact resistance
Ultem	• Medical and chemical instrumentation • Aerospace and transportation	• Excellent dimensional stability • Can withstand very high temperatures
Peek	• Aerospace and transportation • Semiconductor applications	• Exceptional resistance to harsh chemicals • Hydrolosis resistance
Celazole	• Demanding applications with high temperature requirements	• Best performing plastic material in temperatures exceeding 400°F
ABS	Automotive interior and exterior • Signs and POS displays • Car wash components	• Great chemical resistance • Good impact resistance • Easily machinable
HDPE	• Transport components • Home appliances • Signs and POS displays	•Great recyclabiltiy • Can be UV stabilized • Low moisture absorption
Polycarbonate	• Clear automotive parts • X-ray-, MRI, and CT scan components	• Great strength and durability • Excellent clarity • Flame-Resistant • Shatter-resistant
PETG	• POS Displays and signs • Clear guards • Food packaging	• Excellent clarity • Can be sterile for food aplications