Material Guides

Bakelite was the first synthetic plastic, and it still earns its place. Heat-resistant, rigid and electrically insulating — here is where phenolic materials shine today.

Polypropylene is light, chemically resistant and hinges like no other plastic. A guide to PP’s strengths and the applications it wins.

UHMWPE is one of the most abrasion-resistant materials on the planet. Where to use it, why it beats steel in wear, and what to watch for.

HDPE is tough, chemically resistant and cost-effective. Here is what makes high-density polyethylene the default choice for tanks, pipe and outdoor parts.

Nylon (polyamide) is tough, wear-resistant and versatile. A practical guide to the main types, their properties, and the parts they are best suited to.

POM (acetal) is stiff, stable and machines like a dream. Here is what makes it the go-to material for gears, bushings and precision mechanical parts.

PTFE — the material behind non-stick pans and chemical seals — is an industry workhorse. A plain-language guide to its properties, grades and real uses.

Which plastic survives which chemical? A practical starting point for specifying parts that live in aggressive environments.

Not every plastic belongs near food. Here is how to choose compliant materials for cutting boards, conveyor parts and machine components.