When it comes to part quality and performance, few things matter more than material selection. You can design a perfectly engineered component, but if you get the material wrong, your part may not be able to withstand the operational conditions of your application. This, obviously, can result in part failure, equipment damage, and maybe even litigation. In contrast, the right material can ensure part longevity, efficiency, and optimal performance under even the most extreme circumstances. But how do you know which material is right for your purposes? With different tiers of polymers — including general industrial, engineering, and high-performance — choosing the best material can be a daunting task. To help, we’ve put together this plastic injection molding material comparison and selection guide for OEMs.

Plastic Injection Molding Material Comparison: General Industrial Resins

General industrial resins are the most commonly used materials in injection molding. This category encompasses a wide range of thermoplastics that cater to various industrial needs and often exhibit properties such as strength, flexibility, chemical resistance, and ease of processing. In our plastic injection molding material comparison, this is the category that is suitable for the most diverse array of products.

A few examples of general industrial polymers are:

Polypropylene — TECAFINE® PP: A specialized grade of polypropylene (PP), TECAFINE® PP is a widely used thermoplastic polymer known for its versatility, chemical resistance, and lightweight nature. It is commonly used for automotive bumpers, chemical processing equipment, and medical equipment where sterilization is important.
Polyethylene — TECAFINE® PE: TECAFINE® PE is a grade of polyethylene (PE), a versatile and widely used thermoplastic known for its excellent chemical resistance, low moisture absorption, and good impact strength. Common applications include packaging materials, pipes and fittings, medical devices, and household items.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene — TECARAN ™: As a specialized grade of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), TECARAN ™ is a thermoplastic polymer renowned for its strength, toughness, and ease of processing. It’s a popular choice for car dashboards, electronic housings, and consumer goods like sporting equipment.
Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) — TECADUR® TPE: TECADUR® TPE is a specialized grade of Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), a class of polymers that combines the elastic properties of rubber with the processing advantages of thermoplastics. It is commonly used for seals and gaskets, soft-touch grips, and medical tubing and catheters.

Plastic Injection Molding Material Comparison: Engineering Resins

The next category in our plastic injection molding material comparison guide is engineering-grade resins. Designed to meet the stringent requirements of advanced industrial applications, these resins offer superior mechanical properties, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and durability when compared to general-purpose plastics. They are typically preferred for demanding environments where standard plastics would be insufficient.

A few engineering-grade polymers include:

Acetal – TECAFORM® and Delrin®: Acetal polymers like TECAFORM® and Delrin® are known for their excellent mechanical properties, including high tensile strength and rigidity. They also offer excellent low friction coefficients and wear resistance, making them ideal for moving parts. These polymers are usually used for gears and bearings, fuel system components, and conveyor belts.
Nylon – TECAMID®: Nylon offers excellent tensile strength, impact resistance, and fatigue resistance. It’s also a good material when you need good abrasion resistance and chemical resistance against substances like oils, greases, and some solvents. Common applications include automotive engine components, electrical connectors, gears and pulleys, and high-load parts.
Polyesters – TECAPET®: TECAPET® polyester is known for its high tensile strength and stiffness, providing excellent mechanical performance in a range of applications. It also offers good dimensional stability and low friction, which makes it ideal for precision parts. TECAPET® resists a wide variety of chemicals, including oils and greases, and is commonly used in food processing equipment, electrical components, automotive fuel systems, and mechanical parts like gears and bushings.
Polycarbonate (PC) – TECANAT®: TECANAT® polycarbonate is known for its high impact resistance, making it ideal for applications where toughness is essential. It also offers excellent optical clarity and maintains stability across a wide temperature range. Additionally, its inherent flame retardance makes it suitable for safety-critical applications. Common uses include safety equipment like helmets and face shields, automotive lighting components, medical device housings, and electronic enclosures.
Polyurethane – HYDEX®: HYDEX® polyurethane is valued for its elasticity and flexibility, allowing it to withstand repeated stress and return to its original shape. It also boasts excellent abrasion resistance, making it a durable choice for high-wear applications. With good impact resistance even in low temperatures and solid chemical resistance to oils, greases, and solvents, HYDEX® is commonly used in seals and gaskets, industrial wheels and rollers, automotive bushings, and footwear components.
Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) – TECAFLON: TECAFLON PVDF offers outstanding chemical resistance, even in harsh environments with acids, bases, and solvents. Its high thermal stability and flame resistance make it a reliable material for demanding applications. With a good balance of strength, toughness, and flexibility, PVDF is commonly used in chemical processing equipment, electrical insulation for wires and cables, aerospace components, and medical fluid handling systems.

Plastic Injection Molding Material Comparison: High-Performance Resins

Rounding out our plastic injection molding material comparison guide is high-performance resins. Known for their exceptional mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance properties, these materials are designed to withstand extreme environments, making them suitable for demanding applications in industries such as aerospace, medical, automotive, and electronics.

A few examples of high-performance polymers are:

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) – TECAPEEK® IM Natural: PEEK is one of the elite high-performance polymers. It offers excellent mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and thermal stability, and it can withstand continuous use temperatures of up to 250°C, making it ideal for high-temperature applications. PEEK also has a low coefficient of friction, good wear resistance, and excellent dimensional stability, which is crucial for components exposed to repeated stress. Common applications include aerospace components, medical implants, and high-performance automotive parts.
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) – TECAPEEK® SM 450 / 450GF Natural: This grade of PEEK is reinforced with glass fibers, offering enhanced strength and stiffness compared to unfilled PEEK. The glass fiber reinforcement provides increased rigidity and thermal stability, making it suitable for parts that need to withstand heavy loads and high temperatures. Applications typically include structural components in aerospace, oil and gas, and high-load industrial equipment.
Polyamide-imide (Torlon) – TECAPAI® IM 5030 GF30: Torlon is renowned for its superior mechanical properties, particularly in terms of strength and wear resistance. This specific grade is reinforced with 30% glass fiber, significantly improving its rigidity and thermal performance. Torlon’s ability to maintain mechanical integrity at high temperatures makes it ideal for applications requiring high load-bearing capacity and dimensional stability. Common uses include seals, bearings, and structural components in aerospace and automotive industries.
Polyamide-imide (Torlon) – TECAPAI® IM 4203 Natural: TECAPAI® IM 4203 Natural is a non-reinforced grade of Torlon, known for its exceptional toughness and chemical resistance. It retains its mechanical properties even in harsh environments, making it suitable for applications involving high temperatures and aggressive chemicals. Typical applications include electrical connectors, insulators, and components exposed to chemical exposure in industrial settings.
Polyimide (Aurum ™) TECASINT IM NATURAL: Polyimide offers exceptional thermal stability, with continuous use temperatures up to 232°C. This makes it one of the top choices for applications requiring performance at extreme temperatures. Polyimide also has excellent wear resistance and is inherently flame retardant. Common applications include high-temperature electrical insulators, aerospace components, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) – TECATRON® IM PPS NATURAL: PPS is known for its outstanding chemical resistance and dimensional stability, even in high-temperature environments. It can withstand exposure to a wide range of chemicals, including acids, bases, and solvents, without degrading. PPS also maintains its mechanical properties in temperatures up to 200°C. Applications include automotive under-the-hood components, electrical housings, and industrial pump parts.
Polyetherimide (Ultem®) – TECAPEI™ IM NATURAL: Polyetherimide is a high-performance thermoplastic with excellent mechanical strength, heat resistance, and flame retardancy. It can be used continuously at temperatures up to 170°C and offers good electrical insulation properties. Ultem® also has inherent flame resistance, making it suitable for applications in the aerospace and electronics industries. Common applications include medical devices, electrical connectors, and parts that require both high strength and dimensional stability.

Find the Right Material For Your Part With Ensinger

At Ensinger, we’re proud to provide premium injection molding services for a wide range of applications. Our speciality lies in working with high-performance polymers, but we’re also experts in general industrial and engineering-grade plastics. Our team of dedicated professionals is here to help you through every stage of the manufacturing process, from material selection and part design to full-scale production and quality assurance.

Alongside our injection molding capabilities, we also have a dedicated CNC machining facility located in Huntersville, NC to handle components with particularly tight tolerances or complexity requirements.

Get in touch today for a free quote.

A Plastic Injection Molding Material Comparison & Selection Guide for OEMs