Important plastic materials for laboratory activities
ABS: acrylonitrile-butadiene - styrene
The chemical resistance and the temperature stability are much better than PS. The different characteristics of the various types of ABS are determined by different procedures for production.
ECTFE: Polychlorotrifluoroethylene
ETFE: ethylene - tetrafluoroethylene
Excellent chemical resistance. Lower temperature stability than PTFE.
FEP: Tetrafluoroethylene - hexafluoropropylene
PFA: Teflon (perfluoroalkoxy)
The surface of this translucent material is not adhesive. The mechanical and chemical
characteristics are similar to PTFE ones. Usable from -100 °C to +200 °C.
PA: Polyamide
High hardness and resistance. Good resistance to organic solvents.
Acids and oxidizing chemical agents etch PA.
PC: Poly - carbonate
Transparent and stable from -130 °C to +130 °C. Polycarbonates lose their characteri-
stics of stability when they are sterilized by steam or treated with alkaline detergents.
PE-HD: High intensity polyethylene
It has better stability and resistance to chemical agents than PE-LD. Usable up to 105 °C
PE-LD: Low intensity polyethylene
PE-LD is very flexible and has good resistance to chemical products. It has lower resi-
stance to chemical agents than PE-HD. Usable only up to 80 °C.
PMMA: Polymethyl methacrylate
Transparent imitation glass which has stability of shape and high UV resistance. It can
substitute glass if temperature is less than 90 °C and chemical stability is not required
PMP: Poly - 4 - methyl - pentene - 1 (TPX®)
Very transparent with good mechanical characteristics up to 150 °C. It resists to chemi-
cal products as much as PP. Keton or, for example, chlorate solvents cause cracks.
POM: Polyoximethylene
High stability under mechanical stress. Excellent resistance to
chemical agents. Good flowability and abrasive resistance.
It can often substitute metal. Usable up to 130 °C
PP: Poly-propylene
It can be sterilized by steam at 121 °C a few times. It has a good
chemical and mechanical stability similar to PE, but this material
is etched by highly oxidizing chemical agents more easily.
PS: Polystyrol
Amorphous structure, transparent imitation glass, hard, fragile with stable shape. Good
resistance to water solutions, poor resistance
to solvents. PS may cause cracks and has a poor resistance to temperatures.
PTFE: Polytetrafluorinethylene
Partially crystalline structure. Resistant to most chemical agents.
Usable from -200 °C to +300 °C. The surface is not adhesive.
Better characteristics of flowability and electrical resistance than
FEP and PFA
PVC: Polyvinylchlorure
Good resistance to chemical products, in particular to oils.
SAN: Styrene-acrylonitrile
Transparent imitation glass. It might cause cracks.
Slightly better chemical resistance than PS.
Symbols on packaging labels and product information according to standard EN 980
ABBREVIATION AND TEMPERATURE RESISTANCES OF PLASTICS
ABBREVIATION AND TEMPERATURE RESISTANCES OF PLASTICS
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All the data given herein are purely indicative and not binding.