Key Introduction to Engineering Plastics
Focus on introducing	Category	English abbreviation
Polycarbonate		PC
Polyamide (PA)	Polyamide 6/Nylon 6/Single 6	PA6
	Polyhexamethylene adipamide / Nylon 66 / Bis(6-aminohexanoate)	PA66
	Polydecamide/nylon 610	PA610
	Polybutylene diamine sebacate anhydride / Nylon 410	PA410
	Polydecamide/nylon 1010	PA1010
	Polydodecylamine dodecanedioic anhydride / Nylon 1212	PA1212
	Clustering Diamine Dodecanedioic Anhydride/Nylon 1012	PA1012
	Polyundecamide/Nylon 11	PA11
	Polydodecamide/Nylon 12	PA12
Polyoxymethylene (POM)	Homopolymer Polyoxymethylene/Steel Plastic	POM
	Copolymerized Formaldehyde/Steel-Like Material	POM
Thermoplastic polyester	Polyethylene terephthalate/polyester	PET
	Polybutylene terephthalate	PBT
	Polypropylene terephthalate	PTT
	Polyethylene terephthalate-1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol ester	PETG
	Amorphous polyethylene terephthalate	APET
	Polyethylene naphthalate	PEN
Polyphenylene ether	Polyphenylene ether resin	PPO (known as PPE in Japan)
	Modified polyphenylene ether	MPPO

Introduction:

Engineering plastics are plastics used as engineering materials and as substitutes for metals in the manufacture of machine components and other parts. They possess excellent comprehensive properties, including high rigidity, low creep, high mechanical strength, good heat resistance, and superior electrical insulation. They can be used for long periods under relatively harsh chemical and physical conditions and can replace metals as engineering structural materials. However, they are relatively expensive and produced in smaller quantities.

Engineering plastics can be further divided into two categories: general-purpose engineering plastics and special-purpose engineering plastics. The former mainly includes five major types of general-purpose engineering plastics: polyamides, polycarbonates, polyformaldehydes, modified polyphenylene ethers, and thermoplastic polyesters. The latter refers primarily to engineering plastics that can withstand temperatures above 150°C; the main varieties include polyimides, polyphenylene sulfides, polysulfones, aromatic polyamides, polyarylates, polybenzoates, polyaryletherketones, liquid-crystal polymers, and fluoropolymers.

I. Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate

Introduction:

Polycarbonate (abbreviated as PC) is a polymer with carbonate groups in its molecular chain. Based on the structure of the ester groups, it can be classified into various types, including aliphatic, aromatic, and aliphatic-aromatic polycarbonates. Among these, aliphatic and aliphatic-aromatic polycarbonates have relatively low mechanical properties, which limits their application in engineering plastics. Currently, only aromatic polycarbonates have achieved industrial-scale production. Due to the unique structural characteristics of polycarbonate, it has now become the fastest-growing general-purpose engineering plastic among the five major engineering plastics.

Features:

1. Possesses high strength and elastic modulus, high impact resistance, and a wide operating temperature range;

2. High transparency and free dyeability;

3. Low molding shrinkage and excellent dimensional stability;

4. Excellent fatigue resistance;

5. Excellent weather resistance;

6. Excellent electrical characteristics;

7. It is odorless and tasteless, harmless to the human body, and complies with hygiene and safety standards.

Usage:

The three major application areas are the glass assembly industry, the automotive industry, and the electronics and electrical appliance industry. Other key sectors include industrial machinery parts, optical discs, packaging, office equipment such as computers, medical and healthcare products, thin films, leisure and protective gear, and more. PC can be used for window and door glass; PC laminates are widely employed in protective windows for banks, embassies, detention centers, and public spaces; they are also used for aircraft canopies, lighting fixtures, industrial safety barriers, and bulletproof glass.

II. Polyamide

1. Polycaprolactam/Nylon 6/Single 6

Introduction:

Polycaprolactam appears as spherical particles. It is soluble in formic acid, phenol, m-cresol, concentrated sulfuric acid, and dimethylformamide, but insoluble in ethanol, diethyl ether, acetone, ethyl acetate, and hydrocarbons. Polycaprolactam is a linear polyamide formed via ring-opening polymerization of the monomer caprolactam (see linear polymers), and it features a repeating unit structure of —NH(CH2)5CO.

Features:

Excellent tensile strength and wear resistance, with elasticity.

Usage:

It is primarily used in the manufacture of tire cord, fishing nets, ropes, parachutes, and other civilian textiles such as clothing fabrics and socks. Cast nylon has been widely adopted for producing large-scale mechanical components—such as gears, turbines, bushings, rollers, thrust washers, sealing gaskets, universal joint shaft sliders—that demand excellent wear resistance and friction-reducing properties, as well as oil storage tanks and similar applications.

2. Polyhexamethylene adipamide / Nylon 66 / Bis(6-aminohexanoate)

Introduction:

Commonly known as nylon-66, it is a thermoplastic resin—a white solid with a density of 1.14 and a melting point of 253°C. It is insoluble in most common solvents but soluble in solvents such as m-cresol. This class of thermoplastic resins features amide groups (—CONH—) as part of the repeating structural units in their molecular backbone.

Features:

They feature high strength, excellent resilience, and the highest abrasion resistance among textile fibers. Their resistance to repeated deformation and fatigue resistance are comparable to those of polyester and superior to other fibers. They also exhibit good moisture absorption properties.

Usage:

It is widely used in a variety of mechanical and electrical components, including bearings, gears, pulley impellers, blades, high-pressure sealing rings, gaskets, valve seats, bushings, oil pipelines, oil storage tanks, ropes, transmission belts, grinding wheel adhesives, battery cases, electrical coils, cable connectors, and more. Additionally, there is substantial production of packaging tapes and food-grade films—high-temperature films for cooked foods and low-temperature films for cold beverages.

3. Polyadipamide/nylon 610

Features:

It is resistant to alkaline solutions and dilute inorganic acids, but not resistant to concentrated inorganic acids; it exhibits good weather resistance. It has excellent dimensional stability and is easy to mold and process. Its mechanical strength is comparable to that of PA66 and PA6.

Usage:

Widely used in mechanical manufacturing, automobiles, and tractors for gears, bearings, gaskets, sealing materials, oil storage containers, oil pipelines, textile machinery parts, ropes, bristle filaments, silver-zinc battery casings, and more.

4. Polydecaamidodecanoic acid/nylon 1010

Introduction:

Polydecamethylene decamide, also known as polyamide 1010, commonly referred to as nylon 1010 and abbreviated as PA1010, is a type of engineering plastic. Polyamide 1010, an engineering plastic, is a variety of polyamide uniquely developed in China. It was successfully developed in 1958 by the Shanghai Celluloid Factory.

Features:

It has high mechanical strength, excellent impact toughness, wear resistance, and self-lubricating properties. Its cold resistance is superior to that of nylon 6, and it exhibits good melt flowability, making it easy to mold and process.

Usage:

Electrical/electronic applications, aerospace applications, automotive applications, and medical/nursing applications.

5. Polyundecamide/Nylon 11

Introduction:

A thermoplastic resin obtained by polycondensation of ω-amino undecanoic acid.

Features:

It features lightweight properties, resistance to fatigue and cracking, excellent sealing performance, low flow resistance, and good arc resistance and resistance to electrolytic corrosion. It can withstand common acids, bases, and oxidizing agents. It has low water absorption, good dimensional stability, and excellent wear resistance and oil resistance.

Usage:

Automotive fuel lines, brake lines, gun stocks, grips, trigger guards, parachute canopies, submarine optical cables, protective materials for cables, and casings for sausages.

6. Polydodecamide/Nylon 12

Introduction:

Chemically, it is commonly known as polydodecanamide, or PA12. In Chinese, it is also referred to as polylauryl lactam. It is a linear, semi-crystalline-to-crystalline thermoplastic material derived from butadiene. Its properties are similar to those of nylon 11, yet its crystal structure differs. It has a low density—only 1.02—which is the lowest among the nylon family.

Features:

Low water absorption and excellent dimensional stability; outstanding low-temperature resistance, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -70℃; easy to mold and process, with a wide molding temperature range; exhibits good flexibility, chemical stability, oil resistance, and abrasion resistance, and is a self-extinguishing material; possesses excellent impact resistance and chemical stability.

Usage:

Primarily used in water meters and other commercial equipment, optical fibers, cable jackets, mechanical cams, automobiles, sliding mechanisms, and bearings, among others. Also applied in: automotive fuel lines, automotive brake lines, air-conditioning pipes, hoses for air-compressor equipment, high-pressure hydraulic hoses for industrial applications, quick-connect fittings for hoses, solenoid shafts for anti-lock braking systems in automobiles, sliding components for precision gears, cams, and bearings, static-dissipative rollers for copiers, antistatic containers and IC chip guides, optical cable jackets, transparent tubing, self-adhesive wire coatings, noise-reducing gears, sports shoe soles, cable clips, tennis racket stringing tools, and many other applications.

III. Polyoxymethylene

1. Homopolymer Polyoxymethylene/Steel Plastic

Introduction:

Homopolyoxymethylene is a thermoplastic resin and an important engineering plastic. It is produced by catalytic polymerization and end-capping of trioxane, or alternatively by catalytic polymerization of purified formaldehyde gas; however, the former method is more commonly used.

Features:

It exhibits hardness, strength, and rigidity similar to those of metals, as well as excellent self-lubricating properties over a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels. It also boasts good fatigue resistance and high elasticity, in addition to superior chemical resistance.

Usage:

Primarily used for gears, cams, bearings, bushings, washers, valves, fluid-conveying pipelines, handles, zippers, corrosion-resistant containers, and more. Applications include automobiles, machinery, instrumentation, agricultural machinery, chemical industry, construction, and household products.

2. Copolymerized formaldehyde/De Gang

Introduction:

Copolyoxymethylene is a high-molecular-weight polyoxymethylene—a thermoplastic resin and an important engineering plastic.

Features:

It exhibits excellent rigidity, with a tensile strength reaching 68.9 MPa. Its tensile strength per unit mass is higher than that of zinc and brass, approaching that of steel. It also boasts good wear resistance, a low coefficient of friction, and low water absorption.

Usage:

It is mainly used to manufacture mechanical parts such as seals, gears, bearings, valves, and more.

IV. Thermoplastic Polyester

1. Polyethylene terephthalate/Polyester

Introduction:

It is produced by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol, or alternatively by esterification of terephthalic acid with ethylene glycol to first synthesize bis(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate, which is then subjected to polycondensation. It is a crystalline, saturated polyester that appears milky white or pale yellow and exhibits high crystallinity, with a smooth and glossy surface. It is a commonly encountered resin in everyday life.

Features:

1. It boasts excellent mechanical properties, with an impact strength 3 to 5 times that of other films, and exhibits superior fold resistance.

2. Resistant to oils, fats, oleic acids, dilute alkalis, and most solvents.

3. It exhibits excellent resistance to both high and low temperatures, allowing for long-term use within a temperature range of 120℃. In the short term, it can withstand high temperatures up to 150℃ and low temperatures as low as -70℃, with minimal impact on its mechanical properties at either extreme temperature.

4. It has low permeability to gases and water vapor, offering excellent barrier properties against gases, water, oils, and odors.
5. Highly transparent, UV-resistant, and with excellent gloss.

6. Non-toxic, odorless, and highly hygienic—suitable for direct use in food packaging.

Usage:

The primary applications in the electronics and electrical industries include: electrical sockets, electronic connectors, rice cooker handles, TV deflection yokes, terminal blocks, circuit breaker housings, switches, motor fan housings, instrument mechanical parts, banknote-counting machine components, electric irons, and accessories for induction cookers and ovens; in the automotive industry: flow control valves, carburetor covers, window regulators, foot-operated gearshifts, and distribution box covers; in the machinery industry: gears, blades, pulleys, pump components, as well as wheelchair bodies and wheels, lampshade housings, lighting fixture housings, drain pipe fittings, zippers, watch components, and sprayer parts.

2. Polybutylene terephthalate

Introduction:

Polybutylene terephthalate, abbreviated as PBT and also known as polytetramethylene terephthalate, is a polyester produced by the polycondensation of terephthalic acid and 1,4-butanediol. It is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyester ranging in color from milky white to opaque.

Features:

High thermal resistance, capable of long-term operation at 140℃, toughness, fatigue resistance, self-lubricating, and low coefficient of friction.

Usage:

Widely used in industries such as electrical appliances, automobiles, aircraft manufacturing, telecommunications, home appliances, and transportation.

3. Polypropylene terephthalate

Introduction:

Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT or PPT) fiber is a high-performance polyester fiber developed by Shell. It is produced by the polycondensation of terephthalic acid (PTA) and 1,3-propanediol (PDO).

Features:

1. The softness of nylon: better colorfastness than nylon;

2. Fluffiness of acrylic fiber: Avoids the drawback of acrylic fiber being prone to abrasion and pilling.

3. Polyester’s stain resistance: yet it has a good hand feel.

4. Its inherently good elasticity.

Usage:

Widely used in fields such as decorative materials, textiles and apparel, engineering plastics, and films.

4. Polyethylene terephthalate-1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol ester

Introduction:

Simply put, PETG is a transparent plastic—a non-crystalline copolyester. The commonly used comonomer in PETG is 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM), and its full name is polyethylene terephthalate-1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol copolymer. It is produced via ester-exchange polycondensation using three monomers: terephthalic acid (TPA), ethylene glycol (EG), and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM).

Features:

Outstanding thermoforming performance, toughness, weather resistance, excellent chemical resistance, easy processing, and environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Usage:

Widely used in markets such as sheet and film materials, high-performance shrink films, bottle and special-shaped profiles, cosmetic packaging, and more.

5. Non-crystalline polyethylene terephthalate

Introduction:

APET’s full English name is Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate; its chemical name is Non-crystalline Polyethylene Terephthalate. It is a thermoforming plastic material. APET thermoforming plastic sheets (PET SHEETS), also known as rigid polyester films, are thermoplastic, environmentally friendly plastic products. Their edge trimmings and waste materials are recyclable. The chemical elements contained in APET—carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen—are the same as those found in paper, making it a biodegradable plastic.

Features:

No pollution, no crystal defects, high transparency, excellent smoothness, and strong impact resistance.

Usage:

Widely used for packaging in industries such as cosmetics, food, electronics, toys, and printing—including various high-end blister packs, folding boxes, tube containers, window panels, and more.

6. Polyethylene naphthalate

Introduction:

Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) is an important member of the polyester family. It is synthesized via polycondensation of dimethyl 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate (NDC) or 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (NDA) with ethylene glycol (EG), and is an emerging high-performance polymer. Its chemical structure is similar to that of PET; the key difference lies in the fact that, in the PEN molecular chain, the more rigid naphthalene ring replaces the benzene ring found in PET.

Features:

The naphthalene ring structure gives PEN higher physical and mechanical properties, gas barrier performance, chemical stability, as well as resistance to heat, ultraviolet radiation, and radiation compared to PET.

Usage:

It is mainly used in applications such as magnetic tape backbones, flexible printed circuit boards, capacitor films, and Class F insulation films.

V. Polyphenylene Ether

1. Polyphenylene ether resin

Introduction:

Polyphenylene ether, chemically known as poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether), is referred to as PPE (Polypheylene ether) or simply PPO (Polyphenylene Oxide). Also called polyarylene oxide or polyphenylene ether, it is a class of high-temperature-resistant thermoplastic resins.

Features:

A thermoplastic engineering plastic with excellent overall performance, notably boasting outstanding electrical insulation and water resistance, as well as good dimensional stability.

Usage:

Electronics and Electrical Engineering: These materials exhibit excellent electrical insulation properties under conditions of humidity, load, and high temperatures. They are used in the manufacture of TV integrated circuit tuning chips, coil cores, microwave insulating components, shielding sleeves, high-frequency printed circuit boards, various high-voltage electronic components, as well as housings for televisions, computers, fax machines, and copiers.

Automotive industry: Suitable for dashboard components, window frames, shock absorbers, pump filters, and more.

Mechanical industry: Used for gears, bearings, pump impellers, blower impeller blades, and more.

Chemical industry: Used to manufacture corrosion-resistant components such as pipes, valves, filter elements, and submersible pumps.

2. Modified polyphenylene ether

Introduction:

Modified polyphenylene ether is primarily obtained by blending polyphenylene ether with polystyrene. After modification, it exhibits lower melt viscosity compared to pure polyphenylene ether, making injection molding easier. Moreover, parts molded from this material are less prone to stress cracking and are more cost-effective.

Features:

It has low density, is easy to process, and boasts the lowest dielectric constant and tangent of the dielectric loss angle among the five major general-purpose engineering plastics. It also exhibits excellent resistance to water and hot water.

Usage:

Polymer blends used in automobiles include major interior components such as dashboards and seat backs, as well as exterior components like spoilers, wheel covers, and mirror frames.