Plastics

Introduction To Plastics

Engineering plastics, also called thermoplastic polymers, are a group of plastic materials that have better mechanical and/or thermal properties than commonly used commodity plastics. Some advantages of engineering plastics include: good mechanical characteristics; heat stability up to temperatures between 120° to 150°; excellent machinability and dimensional stability; being lightweight, having higher strength, and minimal friction; and good chemical resistance, resilience, stiffness, durability, and electrical properties.

These properties make engineering plastics suitable for mechanical parts in industries such as manufacturing and machinery, automotive and transport, electrical and electronics, engineering, construction, food, and consumer products. Engineering plastics can be extruded or cast as rod, tube, or sheet profiles. Common grades of engineering plastics include, Acetals, Polyethylenes, Nylons, PEEK, PTFE, and PETP. Kormax’s knowledgeable staff can help you choose the right polymer for your product’s specific application.

Acetal

Acetal is a high-performance engineering polymer, also known as polyacetal, polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyformaldehyde. It is a high strength, low friction, semi-crystalline engineering plastic with low moisture absorption, and its FDA compliance allows for direct contact with food stuffs. Kormax Acetal generally comes in either natural white or black colour.

Acetal (POM)

Acetal (POM)

Excellent machining properties
Suitable for direct contact with food
Low moisture absorption

Polyethylene

Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most popular thermoplastic materials, which is available in different crystalline structures. Kormax offers the linear versions of PE grades, known as HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) and UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene).

In general, Polyethylenes (considered a dielectric material) offer excellent chemical and impact resistance, electrical properties, and low coefficient of friction. Polyethylenes are also lightweight, easy to process and offer almost zero moisture absorption. These polymers are highly suitable for the food processing industry, high speed conveyers, chain guides, chute liners, and packing machinery parts, amongst others.

HDPE

HDPE

Weldable plastic
Non-toxic and non-staining
Excellent impact resistance at low temperatures
UHMWPE

UHMWPE

Excellent wear resistance
Good chemical resistance
Excellent impact resistance at minus temperatures
UHMWPE ECO

UHMWPE ECO

Very low sliding
No water absorption
Physiologically harmless

Nylon

Nylon PA is a synthetic semi-crystalline thermoplastic from the polyamides polymers family. Nylon plastic is one of the most used polymers as it is a strong and stiff engineering plastic with excellent bearing and wear properties. It is frequently used to replace metal bearings and bushings, which often eliminates the need for external lubrication.

Other benefits of Nylon include reducing the part weight, reducing operating noise and reducing wear on mating parts. It is also commonly used for wear parts, gears, wheels and rollers, seals and gaskets, packaging machinery parts, food processing machinery parts, etc. Nylon Castings are available in rods, tubes, and sheets.

Nylon PA6

Nylon PA6

High impact strength
Wear resistant in abrasive conditions
High tensile strength
Nylon PA6G

Nylon PA6G

Low coefficient of friction
Excellent sliding properties
Chemical and thermal resistance
Nylon Max – PA6MG

Nylon Max – PA6MG

Extra low coefficient of friction
Durable in demanding environments
Increased heat resistance

Performance Plastics

High performance plastics are a family of polymers that meet higher performance standards than standard engineering plastics. They have superior mechanical properties, outstanding chemical resistance, and high thermal stability – typically having a permanent operating temperature of more than 150°C. Due to these properties, high performance plastics like PTFE, PEEK, and PETP are chosen for applications requiring good chemical resistance, performance at elevated temperatures, low coefficient of friction and high strength.

Further benefits include great dimensional stability, excellent creep resistance for tight tolerances, and high tensile strength. They are used in many demanding and specialised applications across a variety of industries such as oil and gas, aviation, chemical processing equipment, mechanical, and biomedical.

PTFE

PTFE

Very low coefficient of friction
Excellent UV resistance
Excellent chemical resistance
PEEK

PEEK

Very high mechanical strength
Excellent UV resistance
Suitable to use in temperatures up to 250°C
PETP

PETP

Excellent machinability for close tolerance parts
Higher load plastic bearings
Chemical resistance

Why Choose Us

As a fourth-generation family-owned business, Kormax brings over 75 years of Foundry and Engineering Metals experience to your project.

Kormax operates in various sectors across the world, utilising our leading engineering, manufacturing, and global distribution capabilities to offer world-class solutions for engineers.

Expert Advice

Trusted advice on metal and profile selection for your application

Unique Range

Unique range of quality products, in industry specific profiles and sizes

Top-Tier Suppliers

Global top-tier supply network with the ability to source specific sizes and polymers

Supply Security

Custom supply options and to enhance your supply continuity

Quality Management

ISO Certified for ISO 9001, ISO 14401 and ISO 45501 ensures quality systems are in place

Competitive Pricing

With a wide supplier network, Kormax can balancing quality and value

Engineering Plastics for Industry

View our Plastics Book for the full range of Kormax’s Engineering Plastics and contact Kormax’s knowledgeable staff for assistance in choosing the right polymer for your product’s specific application.