News & Insights

Drawings of plastic parts often specify tolerances that are tighter than the practical limitations for dimensionally stable plastics. Unlike metals, plastics present unique engineering challenges due to their higher thermal expansion rates, moisture absorption properties, and residual stress behaviors that significantly impact dimensional stability. For instance, nylon can absorb moisture at an extreme rate, with test specimens showing an 8.8% increase in mass and a 2% increase in length at... Read More

Chemical resistant plastics play a critical role in manufacturing precision parts for applications exposed to harsh chemical environments. Understanding the chemical compatibility of these materials is crucial for selecting the appropriate plastic for specific applications, especially in environments where exposure to various chemicals is inevitable. Applications dealing with chemical exposure, friction, and other harsh factors require plastic parts that withstand tough conditions and resist corrosion. The chemical resistance of plastics... Read More

Sterilizable plastics like PEEK can withstand more than 1,000 steam sterilization cycles without significant structural changes. This remarkable durability highlights why material selection is critical for medical devices that require repeated sterilization. While PEEK offers exceptional longevity, other high-performance materials such as Radel PPSU and Ultem PEI also demonstrate impressive resilience, retaining their properties through hundreds of autoclave cycles. The performance of autoclavable plastics varies significantly depending on the sterilization... Read More

Aerospace plastics can reduce aircraft weight by 50% compared to metal parts, significantly improving fuel efficiency and operational costs. With exceptional thermal properties, materials like PEEK withstand temperatures up to 500°F (260°C), while CELAZOLE (PBI) maintains stability at an impressive 750°F (399°C). This remarkable performance explains why the global aerospace plastics market reached $7.61 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $13.89 billion by 2030. High-performance aerospace plastics... Read More

Modern engineering has transformed through advances in aerospace polymers. Research shows 79,789 documents on additive manufacturing published as of February 2025. The United States guides this research race with 19,563 documents. China follows with 13,739 and Germany with 7,856. The field's rapid growth shows clearly in the numbers - 14,299 documents came out in 2024 alone. Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) stand out as next-generation composite materials for aerospace applications. These innovative... Read More