Plastics Materials

Materials used in plastics processing include plastics, thermoplastics or polymers, materials are the stuff of which molded and extruded parts are made. Broad subcategories include commodity materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC; and engineering materials such as nylon, acetal and ABS for applications requiring higher performance.

Commodity Resins

July 2025: Prices for Volume Resins Flat to Down Heading to Third Quarter

Apparent stabilization was driven by supply-and-demand dynamics, but the uncertainty of tariffs and the hurricane season are looming.

ESSENTIAL READING

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Biopolymers 5 Jul 2023

How to Optimize Injection Molding of PHA and PHA/PLA Blends

Here are processing guidelines aimed at both getting the PHA resin into the process without degrading it, and reducing residence time at melt temperatures.

Materials Know How 22 Apr 2023

The Effects of Time on Polymers

Last month we briefly discussed the influence of temperature on the mechanical properties of polymers and reviewed some of the structural considerations that govern these effects.

Materials Know How 15 Apr 2023

The Effects of Stress on Polymers

Previously we have discussed the effects of temperature and time on the long-term behavior of polymers. Now let's take a look at stress.

Materials Know How 28 Feb 2023

Tracing the History of Polymeric Materials, Part 26: High-Performance Thermoplastics

The majority of the polymers that today we rely on for outstanding performance — such as polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylsulfone and PPS — were introduced in the period between 1965 and 1985. Here’s how they entered your toolbox of engineering of materials.