Sofia Martinez
While plastic parts are not typically known for their strength, some plastics are stronger than metal. The strongest type of plastic is determined by its tensile strength, which is the maximum stress a material can withstand without breaking while being stretched or pulled. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a popular thermoplastic with a tensile strength of 14,000 psi. However, Polyamideimide (PAI) has an even higher tensile strength of 21,000 psi. Polycarbonate is another strong plastic that is more than 20 times stronger than acrylic and 200 times stronger than glass. It is also highly impact-resistant, making it ideal for riot shields. Other strong plastics include TPU Isoplast®, FR4/G10, and Polyarylamide (PARA).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Strongest type of plastic | Polycarbonate, PAI, Nylon, PEEK, TPU Isoplast®, FR4/G10, PARA, Ultem (PEI), ABS plastic sheet |
| Strength compared to steel | More than 20 times stronger than acrylic, 200 times stronger than glass, twice as strong as steel |
| Strength compared to other materials | Stronger than metal, comparable to brass and aluminium |
| Strength in numbers | Tensile strength of 45,000 psi (310MPa) |
| Other characteristics | Heat resistance, tensile strength, impact resistance, lightweight, chemical and acid resistance, non-conductive, non-corrosive, electrical resistance, flame retardant, UV resistance, water resistance, mouldable, cost-effective |
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What You'll Learn
- Polycarbonate is 20 times stronger than acrylic and 200 times stronger than glass
- PEEK is a popular thermoplastic with high tensile strength
- Nylon is a synthetic polymer with a tensile strength of 12,400 psi
- TPU Isoplast®, FR4/G10, and PARA are exceptionally strong plastics
- Hemp plastics are twice as strong as steel
Polycarbonate is 20 times stronger than acrylic and 200 times stronger than glass
Polycarbonate is widely considered the toughest plastic available. It is 20 times stronger than acrylic and 200 times stronger than glass. It is also six times lighter than glass, making it a superior insulator, and is highly impact-resistant. This makes polycarbonate ideal for safety applications such as riot shields, safety glasses, security barriers, and enclosures.
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic, meaning it can be reheated and remoulded into new shapes. It has a broad range of operating temperatures, from enduring temperatures of 270 degrees for several hours to sudden bursts of heat up to 1166 degrees without distortion, breakage, or absorption of heat. It is also highly transparent, with 92% light transmittance across all thicknesses, and has low moisture absorption.
Polycarbonate is also highly flexible in its design applications. It can be cut on-site, unlike glass, which usually has to be cut before installation. It can also be easily painted and comes in various colours, thicknesses, textures, and sizes. It is also highly resistant to corrosion and can withstand significant stress without failing.
Polycarbonate is commonly used to replace silicate glass in manufacturing processes due to its strength and transparency. It is also used in auto parts, lenses, electronics, and medical devices. However, polycarbonate is more expensive than acrylic, which is another popular plastic used in manufacturing. Acrylic is also more transparent than polycarbonate and has better heat resistance.
While polycarbonate is incredibly strong, new plastic recipes have emerged that are even stronger. For example, scientists at MIT have developed a plastic called 2DPA-1 that is twice as strong as steel. Hemp plastics, which have been used in vehicles since 1941, are also twice as strong as steel and fully biodegradable.
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PEEK is a popular thermoplastic with high tensile strength
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic with exceptional strength, dimensional stability, and stiffness. It is known for its outstanding chemical, mechanical, and corrosion resistance, as well as its ability to maintain stiffness at high temperatures. PEEK has a proven track record in challenging environments, such as aerospace, oil and gas, food and beverage processing, and semiconductor equipment manufacturing. Its exceptional strength and durability make it a popular choice for various applications, including bushings, bearings, seals, pumps, and valves.
PEEK's strength and stiffness are notable, even at elevated temperatures. It can withstand continuous use at temperatures up to 338°F (170°C) while maintaining its mechanical properties. This makes it ideal for applications where high temperatures are a factor. However, it's important to note that PEEK will become more brittle when exposed to very high temperatures over prolonged periods. For example, at 200°C, PEEK will lose more than 50% of its ductility (tensile elongation) after 10,000 hours.
The exceptional strength and stiffness of PEEK make it a versatile material. It is easily machined and can be customized to meet specific requirements. PEEK is available in different grades, such as virgin PEEK (unfilled), which offers natural abrasion resistance, and glass-filled PEEK, which enhances mechanical and thermal properties while providing excellent resistance in harsh chemical environments. The ability to customize PEEK allows for its use in a wide range of industries and applications.
While PEEK is a popular choice for its strength and performance, it is important to consider its limitations. One of the main drawbacks of PEEK is its cost. It is a relatively expensive material, with prices well above the typical cost threshold for similar engineering plastics. Additionally, PEEK's high stiffness and tensile strength do not necessarily translate to superior impact resistance. In applications where impact resistance is a critical factor, other plastics like polycarbonate are often preferred.
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Nylon is a synthetic polymer with a tensile strength of 12,400 psi
Nylon's tensile strength makes it a reliable polymer for various applications. Its high tensile strength allows it to withstand maximum stress without breaking. In addition to its strength, nylon also offers excellent impact resistance, making it a versatile material for different industries.
Nylon is just one example of a strong plastic, and there are several other plastics that exhibit exceptional strength. For instance, PEEK is a commonly used engineering thermoplastic with a tensile strength of 14,000 psi. It is known for its high-temperature performance, chemical and water resistance, and excellent workability. PEEK is widely used in automotive, medical, aerospace, and electrical applications.
Another strong plastic is polycarbonate, which is considered the toughest plastic available. It is more than 20 times stronger than acrylic and 200 times stronger than glass. Polycarbonate is often used in applications where impact resistance and clarity are essential, such as riot shields and see-through equipment. Additionally, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is a high-performance plastic with a tensile strength of 12,500 psi. PPS is widely used across industries due to its heat resistance, dimensional stability, flame retardancy, and excellent mechanical strength.
These examples demonstrate the diverse range of strong plastics available, each with unique properties that make them suitable for specific applications. While nylon stands out with its tensile strength of 12,400 psi, the choice of plastic depends on the specific requirements and characteristics needed for a particular use case.
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TPU Isoplast®, FR4/G10, and PARA are exceptionally strong plastics
TPU Isoplast® is a thermoplastic polyurethane with a high strength and impact resistance. It is a thermoplastic elastomer, which means it combines the characteristics of rubber and thermoplastic resins. TPU Isoplast® is commonly used in medical devices, power tools, sporting goods, automotive components, and consumer electronics. It is also resistant to seawater and ultraviolet rays, making it suitable for ocean applications.
FR4/G10 is a heavy-duty plastic that is widely used in industries requiring strong and durable materials. While there is no explicit mention of FR4/G10 in the search results, it is often listed alongside materials such as Plexiglass, acrylic, and polycarbonate, which are known for their strength and durability.
PARA, or polyarylamides, are semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastics reinforced with glass fibers or mineral fillers. They exhibit metal-like strength, high wear resistance, and excellent thermo-mechanical properties. PARA is commonly used in automotive, food-grade, and medical applications, often as a replacement for metals.
Each of these plastics offers unique advantages and is selected based on the specific requirements of an application. Their strength, durability, and versatility make them valuable materials in a variety of industries.
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Hemp plastics are twice as strong as steel
Plastic is a versatile material that can be moulded into various shapes and objects. It is widely used across industries due to its strength and durability. While metal has traditionally been one of the most durable and strongest materials, plastics are increasingly being recognised as a viable alternative.
Polycarbonate is one of the strongest plastics available on the market, known for its impact resistance and ability to withstand forces nearly 200 times stronger than steel. It is often used in applications that require see-through materials, such as riot shields, and is valued for its ability to flex and recover from dents. ABS plastic sheet is another widely-used plastic known for its toughness, impact resistance, and ease of machinability.
Hemp plastics, in particular, have gained attention for their impressive strength. Hemp has been cultivated for over 10,000 years and has been used in various applications, including textiles and construction materials. When processed into a plastic-like material, hemp becomes incredibly strong. In fact, hemp plastic is said to be twice as strong as steel.
Henry Ford, the renowned automobile pioneer, recognised the potential of hemp plastic in 1941. He created a car with a composite plastic body made from hemp, which was not only stronger than steel but also lighter, safer, and more fuel-efficient. Ford famously demonstrated the strength of his hemp car by taking a sledgehammer to it without causing significant damage.
The strength of hemp plastic can be attributed to the density of its plant fibres. During testing, hemp exhibited better compression and tensile strengths when compared to synthetic fibres. Additionally, the durability of hemp increases when it has longer, smaller, and denser clusters of fibres. By crystallising, melting down, and reforming hemp fibres into a plastic-like material, manufacturers can create a product with exceptional strength.
Hemp plastic also offers environmental benefits. It is fully biodegradable and does not rely on petroleum as its source, reducing the environmental impact typically associated with oil-based plastics. Hemp is a renewable resource that can be grown without the need for pesticides, herbicides, or chemical processing. Furthermore, hemp plastic is recyclable and can biodegrade within six months if not properly recycled.
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Frequently asked questions
Polycarbonate is widely regarded as the toughest plastic, with strength up to 200 times that of glass and acrylic. It is also highly impact-resistant, flexible, and can withstand a broad range of temperatures.
Other plastics that are known for their strength include PEEK, Nylon, PPS, Ultem (PEI), PAI, TPU Isoplast®, FR4/G10, and PARA. These plastics offer a combination of high tensile strength, impact resistance, temperature resistance, and chemical resistance, making them suitable for various industrial applications.
Yes, several plastics exhibit strength comparable to or even greater than that of metals like steel. For example, Hemp plastics, which were used in Ford vehicles as early as 1941, can be twice as strong as steel. Additionally, scientists at MIT have developed a plastic called 2DPA-1 that is twice as strong as steel while remaining airtight.
