Engineering plastics are a group of plastic materials that have their properties modified to increase performance, such as strength, hardness and heat resistance. Many plastics can be considered engineering plastics, but the most well known are polyesters andpolyamides, including nylon, polycarbonate and acrylic.
Engineering plastics are used in a wide variety of applications, from medical devices to aerospace engineering. They are also used in industries like automotive, construction, packaging, electronics and marine. Engineering plastics are also used in consumer products like sports equipment and toys.
The properties of engineering plastics often make them ideal for demanding applications requiring high performance, such as automotive and aerospace. Engineering plastics are lightweight, yet strong and durable. They are also resistant to extreme temperatures, chemicals and water. In addition, their physical properties can be tailored to meet specific design requirements.
The thermal and chemical properties of engineering plastics make them ideal for use in high temperature and specialty applications. For example, polycarbonate is often used in aircraft component manufacture, thanks to its high strength at elevated temperatures.
In addition to their performance advantages, engineering plastics also offer good design flexibility. The physical and chemical properties of engineering plastics can be changed by altering their composition or adding fillers or reinforcements. This allows the designer to tweak the physical characteristics or performance of the material to suit the engineering requirements of a particular application.
Engineering plastics also offer a range of cost advantages, especially when compared to metals. Plastics are usually cheaper than metals and can also reduce production costs due to their superior molding properties.
Engineering plastics play an important role in modern engineering due to their ability to combine strength, flexibility and cost-efficiency. Their performance advantages, flexibility, and cost-efficiency make them suitable for a wide variety of applications. From medical devices to aerospace, engineering plastics are an essential component of many manufacturing processes.
