Mechanical Properties of Engineering Plastics Are High-Performance Ones That Make Them Ideal for a Wide Range of Applications

 

Engineering plastics have displaced traditional engineering materials like metal and wood in most cases. They are preferred due to their better mechanical properties, which are better able to withstand the environmental impacts like heat and moisture. Examples of engineering plastics include, nylon 6, polyacrylate, chlorinated polyacrylate, thermoplastic polyacrylate, nylon thermoplastic polyacrylate, thermoplastic polystyrene, acrylonitum, polyamide, polyimide, and Nylon 6. All these materials are used extensively in different applications, including airplane parts, boats, auto bumpers, bicycle tires, handbags, jewelry, glasses, furniture and more.

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to increasing demand for personal protective gear made from Nylon 6. In the U.S., from 3 January 2020 to 5:16pm CEST, 28 April 2021, there have been 31,783,375 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 567,327 deaths, as reported to the World Health Organization. Such scenario is expected to increase demand for personal protective gear and Nylon 6 eventually.

The mechanical properties of engineering plastics are high-performance ones that make them ideal for a wide range of applications. They are more durable than their counterparts and offer good resistance to wear and tear. Additionally, they are able to provide increased strength-to-weight ratio, increased flexibility and reduced weight both when manufactured as ready molded plastic parts and after they are cured in various heat curing processes. Such characteristics make plastics excellent components for a wide range of goods.

For instance, engineering plastics made from ABS can be used to make bumper stabilizers for trucks and SUVs. These materials have better mechanical properties than conventional bumpers because they feature special bracing systems that increase the vehicle's structural integrity. Plastic materials with high stiffness also offer better protection against rollover accidents.

Other plastic materials that have better mechanical properties include polyamides and polyimide. Polyamides are made through the process of thermoforming, while polyimide is created through the process of folding and rolled sheets of polymerized polyimide. Both materials have good heat Deflection Temperature (HDT), which refers to the rate at which the plastic degrades at specific temperatures.

Polyimide is able to maintain its structural integrity across a wide range of temperatures and does not degrade much in heat. The polyamides and polyimides are also resistant to acid attacks, which is why they are often found in the lining of soft drinks can linings, diapers, food packaging and other such products. In addition, engineering plastics with high hardness are also commonly used in various aerospace applications such as bumpers and landing gears. As polyimide is thermally resistant, it is able to withstand high-impact and high-pressure situations. Its ability to form very small shapes makes it ideal for use in soft-tissue engineering materials.