Plastic Strength And Cost: How Much Does Resilience Cost?

Strong plastic is used in a variety of applications, from manufacturing to replacing metal bearings and bushings. The cost of strong plastic depends on its toughness, which is determined by its ability to resist high-impact forces without breaking or deforming. Tougher plastics are more impact-resistant, and their impact resistance can be affected by temperature and geometry. ABS plastic, for example, is known for its high impact resistance and mid-range cost, making it a popular choice in manufacturing.

The cost of strong plastic depends on its toughness

There are a variety of strong plastics available, including transparent, general-purpose plastic film with excellent ink adhesion, and high-strength plastic with outstanding electrical and high-service temperature properties. The cost of these plastics can vary depending on their toughness and other factors such as colour, finish, and manufacturing temperature.

For example, ABS plastic is known for its high impact resistance and mid-range cost, making it a popular choice in many different manufacturing industries. The temperature at which ABS is manufactured affects its final properties—low temperatures yield more impact resistance, while high temperatures increase heat resistance.

Other strong plastics may be more expensive due to their specialised properties, such as high-temperature creep resistance or outstanding electrical and mechanical properties. These plastics are often used in specific applications, such as replacing metal bearings and bushings, where their toughness and other properties are essential.

Overall, the cost of strong plastic depends on a variety of factors, including its toughness, colour, finish, manufacturing temperature, and intended application.

Toughness is determined by a material's ability to resist high-impact forces without breaking

Plastics tend to be more brittle at cooler temperatures and tougher at warmer temperatures. Prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures and UV light tends to decrease a plastic's toughness. Part geometry can also affect impact resistance — sharp internal corners can create stress concentrations that cause breakage, whereas round corners tend to make parts more durable.

The toughness of a plastic can be determined by performing a notched IZOD impact test, which measures the energy absorbed by the plastic and helps determine how much energy it can stand before deformation.

ABS is a popular choice for impact-resistant plastic due to its high impact resistance and mid-range cost. It is also easy to machine and bonds well with adhesives, paint, and coatings. The temperature at which ABS is manufactured affects its final properties — low temperatures yield more impact resistance, while high temperatures increase heat resistance.

There are a variety of strong plastics available at low costs. For example, there are composite sheet materials that consist of electrical-grade phenolic resin impregnated into layers of linen fabric or paper. These plastics have outstanding strength, stiffness, and electrical insulating properties. They are often used to replace metal bearings and bushings.

Toughness is also determined by the results of a Notched IZOD impact test

The cost of strong plastic varies depending on the type of plastic and its intended use. Some strong plastics are considered low cost, while others are more expensive. For example, ABS plastic is known for its high impact resistance and mid-range cost, making it a popular choice in manufacturing.

Toughness is a measure of a material's ability to resist high-impact forces without breaking, fracturing, or deforming. Toughness is determined by a material's strength and ductility, or its ability to stretch under pressure. Toughness is also influenced by temperature, with plastics becoming more brittle at cooler temperatures and tougher at warmer temperatures. Prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures and UV light can decrease a plastic's toughness over time.

The Notched IZOD impact test is a standardised method used to determine the toughness of a material, specifically its impact resistance and how much load it can handle before breaking. The test involves measuring the kinetic energy needed to initiate and continue a fracture in a notched specimen until it is broken. The specimen is clamped into a pendulum impact test fixture, with the notched side facing the striking edge of the pendulum. The energy absorbed by the specimen is calculated based on the height the pendulum swings to after impact. This test is commonly used for plastics and polymers to characterise their behaviour under impact stresses and determine their toughness.

ABS is a popular choice for its high impact resistance and mid-range cost

The cost of strong plastic varies depending on the type of plastic and its specific properties. Some strong plastics are low cost, while others are more expensive. One popular choice for its high impact resistance and mid-range cost is ABS. ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is a tough, impact-resistant plastic that is used in many different manufacturing industries. It is easy to machine and bonds well with adhesives, paint, and coatings. The temperature at which ABS is manufactured affects its final properties—low temperatures yield more impact resistance, while high temperatures increase heat resistance.

Other strong plastics may be more expensive due to their specialised properties or applications. For example, some strong plastics are designed for use in elevated temperature environments, while others have excellent chemical and corrosion resistance. These specialised plastics may be more costly than general-purpose ABS.

The cost of strong plastic can also depend on the quantity purchased and the specific supplier. Buying in bulk may result in a lower cost per unit, while purchasing from a specialised manufacturer may be more expensive than a standard supplier.

Overall, the cost of strong plastic varies depending on the specific type, properties, quantity, and supplier. ABS is a popular choice for its balance of high impact resistance and mid-range cost, making it accessible and versatile for a wide range of applications.

The cost of strong plastic depends on its temperature resistance

Some plastics are also designed to be used in elevated temperature environments, which will affect their cost. For example, a strong, stiff plastic with excellent machining characteristics and bearing and wear, and chemical resistance will be more expensive than a low-cost, tough plastic material that is easy to thermoform and fabricate.

The type of plastic resin used can also affect the cost. For example, a composite sheet material that consists of electrical-grade phenolic resin impregnated into layers of linen fabric will be more expensive than a high-strength, low-cost composite made from phenolic resin impregnated into layers of paper.

Finally, the colour and finish of a plastic can also affect its cost. For example, a transparent, strong and stiff thermoplastic with outstanding impact resistance will be more expensive than an opaque plastic with similar properties.

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