Plastic Info
ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a very machine-friendly plastic that is well known for its strength, rigidity, and resistance to corrosion. ABS is easy to cut, carve, sand, glue, finish, and join. This character set makes ABS the ideal choice for making models and prototypes.
Standard blocks are not suitable for outdoors use. However, UV stabilizers can be added for custom batches of blocks.
Characteristics
Chemical Formula: (C8H8)·(C4H6)·(C3H3N)z)
Density: 1.03g/cm³
Composite: Thermoplastic
Polymer: Amorphous
Vicat Softening Point: 103°C (217°F)
Recycle Grade: #7
Biodegradable: No
Typical Applications: 3D Printer Filament, LEGO®, Luggage, Kitchen Appliance, Keyboard Keys
Tips
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Use a coarse blade when cutting with a saw to minimize overheating.
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While heat may be used to achieve a desired finish, ensure you don't overheat it so as to allow the ABS to soften.
HDPE
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a relatively lightweight, strong, and resistant material. It is one of the most widely used plastics in the world, largely due to its resistance to water and corrosive chemicals. HDPE doesn't leech, meaning it is the perfect candidate to house chemical solutions often found in households such as bleach.
Characteristics
Chemical Formula: (C2H4)n
Density: 0.956g/cm³
Composite: Thermoplastic
Polymer: Crystalline
Vicat Softening Point: 125°C (257°F)
Recycle Grade: #2
Biodegradable: No
Typical Applications: Pipe, Wire/Cable, Chemical Containers, Plastic Bottles
Tips
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A coarse saw will cut HDPE with minimal fuss
Delrin® Acetal
Acetal (Polyoxymethylene or POM) is a tough, machinable thermoplastic with high strength, good rigidity, dimensional stability. This material may be machined using traditional methods such as turning, milling, drilling etc
Delrin® Acetal resists expanding when exposed to heat, moisture, chemicals, and solvents. Blocks, rods, and sheet manufactured from this material can be easily machined to close tolerances. They also have a naturally slippery, wear-resistant surface. This plastic is a great choice for making parts that require precision tight tolerances, for instance gears, bushings, rollers, and bearings as well as pumps, valves, and actuators.
POM is typically difficult to bond.
Characteristics
Chemical Formula: (CH2O)n
Density: 1.41–1.42 g/cm3
Composite: Thermoplastic
PC (Polycarbonate )
Polycarbonate, known as PC, is an strong, tough material which can be optically transparent. It is easy to cut, carved, sand, glue, finish, join, drill, tap, file, mold or thermoform. PC is ten times stronger than glass, making it extremely durable and virtually shatter-resistant. Polycarbonate is therefore great for making models, prototypes, decorative art pieces, vases and many other applications. It is resistant to temperature and impact, and is highly transparent, meaning that it has amazing optical properties. Standard blocks are suitable for mid term outdoor use, but UV stabilizers can be added for custom batches of blocks to further enhance its UV and outdoor stability. The properties of polycarbonate make it useful for a wide range of applications including: signs, displays, windows including airplane windows and bulletproof windows, police riot shields, lenses like those in glasses, sunglasses, and cameras, beakers, test tubes, etc. It is Food & Drug Administration approved for use in food applications like candy moulds, hospital trays, commercial serving bowls, etc.
PC is fire resistant which means it suppresses the spread of flame and is therefore used in housings and covers for electrical applications etc. Polycarbonate is also used for dome lights, sky lights, sound walls, glazing and roofing and wall materials for greenhouses.
Characteristics
Chemical Formula: C16H18O5
Density: 1.20–1.22 g/cm³
Composite: Thermoplastic
Polymer: Amorphous
Glass transition temperature: 147°C (297°F)
Recycle Grade: #7
Biodegradable: No
Typical Applications: 3D Printer Filament, LEGO®, Luggage, Kitchen Appliance, Keyboard Keys
Tips
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Use a coarse blade when cutting with a saw to minimize overheating.
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While heat may be used to achieve a desired finish, ensure you don't overheat it so as to allow the polycarbonate to soften.
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If you sand the surface with finer sandpaper and then wet sand it with a fine paper, applying a heat gun to the surface can create a smooth mirror like finish.