Plastic materials are frequently used in construction, military and industrial applications that require impact resistance and toughness. As implied by the name, impact resistance is the ability of a material to resist both fracture and deformation when temporary force is applied. High impact resistant plastics have unique properties and benefits that metals don’t offer, allowing them to perform in demanding environments. It should be noted that the impact resistance of a plastic is temperature-dependent, so you should consider end-use temperatures when selecting the right high impact resistant plastic for your project.
Top 4 High Impact Resistant Plastics
- ABS – ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic is a widely used thermoplastic that can be found in everything from toy building blocks to automotive parts to instrument panels. In addition to outstanding impact resistance, this lightweight plastic is easy to machine and is relatively low in cost. ABS also has good strength and stiffness, is easy to paint and bond with adhesives, and is very resistant to chemical corrosion.
- Polycarbonate – One of polycarbonate’s most well-known attributes is that it can be made to be completely transparent, like glass. Because of this feature and its excellent impact resistance, polycarbonate is often used as a glass alternative (such as in skylights and eyeglasses). Polycarbonate is also easy to machine, bonds well with solvent cements, has great electrical insulation and excellent stiffness.
- HDPE – High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a versatile, low cost, durable plastic that can be found in everything from chemical tanks and marine construction to outdoor playground equipment and prosthetics. HDPE offers high impact resistance, rigidity and tensile strength. It also has good chemical, corrosion and abrasion resistance, low moisture absorption, is lightweight, retains its properties low temperatures, and is easy to machine and fabricate.
- PAI – Also known as Torlon®, PAI (polyamide-imide) is an extremely strong and stiff plastic that remains dimensionally stable in elevated temperature environments where other thermoplastics lose their mechanical properties. Along with very good impact resistance, PAI features high tensile and compression strength, outstanding wear performance, superb thermal stability, good machinability, and strong chemical resistance. PAI also has an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion, making it an excellent choice for applications that require tight tolerances. PAI can typically be found in semiconductor machinery, aerospace components, and pump and valve parts.
Reading Plastic: Your Source for High Impact Resistant Plastic Parts
At Reading Plastic, we’ve been machining high-quality plastic parts for both private and government clients for over four decades. With our state-of-the-art equipment and expert staff, we can produce the parts you need. Whether you need a small or large run or tight tolerances, we’re up to the task.
If you need high impact resistant plastic parts, call us today at (610) 926-3245 or email us at site2@readingplastic.com. We look forward to working with you!
