All You Need To Know About High-Impact Plastics for Long-term Durability

Some plastics are considered “tough” when it comes to manufacturing purposes. Any plastic that can resist high-impact forces with no deformation or breaking is considered tough. Such plastics are also capable of stretching under pressure and hence are ductile.

There are multiple factors that can affect impact resistance. Warmer temperatures make plastics tougher while cooler temperatures make them brittle. If plastic is exposed to UV light and elevated temperatures for a long duration, its toughness decreases. Stress concentration created by sharp internal corners results in breakage while round corners make it more durable.

The toughness of plastic material can be determined through an impact test that measures the energy absorbed by plastic and determines the amount of energy it can withstand. Let us have a look at some of the best impact-resistant plastics for creating tough and highly-durable parts.

1. High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE is a versatile and durable thermoplastic offering immense tensile strength and resistance to impact. The rigidity and toughness of HDPE are mainly because its molecules are packed tightly. HDPE is also chemical-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and immune to abrasions.

2. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)

ABS is highly impact-resistant and available for a reasonable cost. Therefore, many manufacturing industries make it their first choice of plastic. ABS is machine-friendly and mixes well with paint, adhesives, and coatings. However, varying temperatures can alter the properties of ABS, with low temperatures increasing impact resistance and high temperatures increasing heat resistance.

3. Polycarbonate (PC)

PC is extremely tough and can be made transparent. This makes it a better alternative for glass where high impact resistance is required. Here is a list of some consumer goods that are manufactured using PC:

• Windows
• Goggles for protection
• Helmets
• Outdoor signs

One of the important uses of PC is in architectural glazing design.

4. High-impact polystyrene (HIPS)

HIPS is equipped with properties such as fatigue resistance and high impact resistance. HIPS is lightweight as well as stiff, based on manufacturing requirements. For example, being lightweight aids in easy fabrication while the stiff nature helps to resist bending.

5. Polyamide-imide (PAI)

PAI is an incredibly strong, tough, and stiff plastic. It has got good electrical grade insulation, chemical resistance, and low thermal expansion. Therefore, PAI is dimensionally stable under elevated temperatures.

Need to know more about tough plastics and the products manufactured with them? Be a part of Plastivision 2023 (December 7-11), which will be held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. You will get to meet some of the finest minds in the industry. Be prepared to experience everything there is to know about plastics at the event!