Labware Plastics and Resins

This page give info on the properties and characteristics of resins
used in making laboratory plasticware
See also: Plastic tubing

Polyolefins	Polyethylene, Low-density polyethylene, High-density polyethylene, Linear low-density polyethylene, Cross-linked high-density polyethylene (XLPE), Polypropylene, Polypropylene copolymer (PPCO)
Fluorocarbons	Teflon TFE, Teflon FEP, Tefzel ETFE, Halar ECTFE, Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Kynar*, Teflon PFA,
Engineering resins	Acetal, Nylon, Polymethylpentene, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Chloride, Thermoplastic elastomer, Polycarbonate, Polysulfone, Polyethylene Terephthalate G. Copolymer (PETG), Polyphenylene Oxides
Labware plastics	Acrilonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Corian, Epoxy Resins, Kel-F, Methyl Methacrylate, Phenolic Resins, Polyetherimide (PEI)

Plastics / Resins

ACL	Acetal (polyoxymethylene) Tough, strong, retains it’s dimensions at elevated temperatures, excellent resistance to most organic solvents and good resistance to strong acids and bases, naturally opaque.	PFA	Teflon PFA (perfluoroalkoxy)Translucent, flexible. Cryogenic to 260oC, autoclavable, chemically inert, non-contaminating, very easy to clean as almost nothing adheres.
ECTFE	Halar ECTFE (ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene) withstands extreme temperatures, cryogenic to 180oC , non-burning and radiation resistant.	PMMA	Polymethyl methaacrylate (acrylic) Transparent (very clear) –60 to 70oC, resistant to inorganic acids and alkalis but not to organic solvents
ETFE	Tefzel ETFE (ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene) white, translucent, slightly flexible, greater chemical and temperature resistance than TFE and FEP	PMP	Polymethylpentene (TPX)Transparent, fairly rigid. 180 to 180oC autoclavable, attacked by strong oxidizers, softened by some hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents.
NYL	Nylon (polyamide) strong, tough, resists abrasion, fatigue and impact. Excellent resistance with organic solvents but not with mineral acids, oxidizing agents and certain salts.	PVC	Polyvinyl chloride Translucent form very flexible, opaque is rigid.. –25 to 80°C, poor resistance to most solvents, very good resistance to oils (except essential oils), low gas permeability.
FEP	Teflon FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) Translucent.flexible,resists all known chemicals except molten alkali metals and elemental fluorine.Can even be boiled with nitric acid.	PP	Polypropylene Translucent to transparent, fairly rigid. –10 to 130°C resistant to most chemicals except strong oxida
FLPE	Fluorinated high-density polyethylene	PS	Polystyrene Transparent (toughening agent makes opaque) –30 to 60oC, resistant to most aqueous solutions and organic solvents.
HDPE	High-density polyethylene Transparent to opaque, fairly rigid. –50 to 110oC, autoclavable, chemical resistant.	PSF	Polysulfone Clear, strong , extremely tough.resistant to acids, bases, aqueous solutions,aliphatic hydrocarbons and alcohols.
LPDE	Low-density polyethylene Translucent, flexible.-50 to 80oC, resistant to most chemicals except strong oxidants.	PUR	Polyurethane + non toxic,crack and stress resistant, robust,high purity apps.
PPCO	Polypropylene copolymer Autoclavable Combines some of the advantages of ethylene and ropylene.High temperature performance and low temperature strenght and flexibility.	PVDF	Polyvinilidene fluoride Opaque white, extremely pure, superior for non-contaminating applications.good mechanical strength and abrasion resisance up to 100°oC Similar to ECTFE
PC	Polycarbonate Transparent, strong, rigid. –190 to 130°C, autoclavable but mechanical properties impaired, attacked by some concentrated acids, alkalis, and organic solvents.	TFE PTFE	Teflon TFE (tetrafluoroethylene Opaque, semi- rigid, low coefficient of friction,-200 to 260°C, autoclavable, excellent chemical resistance to all reagents.
PCTG	Poly (1,4 cyclohexane dimethylene terephthalate) glycol	TPE	Thermoplastic elastomer can be moulded into autoclavable parts and rubber-like small caps and plugs
PETG	Polyethylene terephthalate copolyester Glass-like clarity, tough. Excellent gas-barrier, choice for storing biologicals.can be sterilised but cannot be autoclaved.	XLPE	Cross-linked high-density polyethylene Three dimensional polymer of extremely high molecular weight, superior stress-crack resistance, used for moulding very large storage tanks.