Which engineering plastic to use

Enter the application, the temperatures and the medium. The selector removes what cannot take it and shows the simplest plastic that works first, with data from the datasheet.

1You enter

Application Maximum temperature (°C) Minimum temperature (°C)

RequirementsFood contact (FDA)Self-extinguishing (UL 94 V-0)Dimensionally stable in water or humidity (absorption up to 0.5 %)Dry running, no lubrication (friction up to 0.25)

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2Result

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Also suitable: –

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Indicative screening based on the semi-finished product makers' catalog data. Continuous temperature without load; under load, check HDT and creep. For critical parts, confirm with our engineering team and, if needed, with a test.

The plastics in the catalog side by side

Temperature, tensile strength, friction and water absorption of each plastic (datasheet values)
Material	Continuous (°C)	Minimum (°C)	Tensile (MPa)	Friction against steel	Water (%)	FDA / V-0
UHMW – ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE 1000)	80	-200	19	0.12	0.1	FDA
HDPE – high-density polyethylene (PE 300 / PE 500)	80	-50	25	–	0.01	FDA
PP – polypropylene homopolymer	100	0	30	–	0.1	FDA
Extruded nylon PA6 and PA66 (polyamide)	100	-30	79	0.26	8	FDA
Cast nylon (PA6 G) – natural, oil-filled and MoS₂-filled	93	-30	69	0.14	7	FDA
PC – polycarbonate	120	-50	69	0.38	0.35	FDA
PET-C (Ertalyte®) – semi-crystalline polyester, natural and PTFE-filled	100	-20	76	0.19	0.5	FDA
Polyacetal (POM, Delrin®) – copolymer and homopolymer	100	-50	67	0.2	0.8	FDA
Virgin PTFE (Teflon®) – polytetrafluoroethylene	260	-200	22	0.1	0.01	FDA · V-0
PTFE with 25% glass fiber	260	-200	18	0.07	0.02	V-0
Bronze-filled PTFE (40% and 60%) – bronze Teflon	260	-200	12	0.06	–	–
Carbon- and graphite-filled PTFE (25% C and 15% graphite)	260	-200	13	0.06	0.05	V-0
PVDF – polyvinylidene fluoride	140	–	62	–	0.02	FDA · V-0
PAI (Torlon® 4301) – polyamide-imide	260	-20	103	0.2	1.5	V-0
PEEK – polyether ether ketone	260	-50	116	0.25	0.45	FDA · V-0
Reinforced PEEK – GF30, CF30 and bearing grade	260	-20	84	0.13	0.35	V-0
PEI (Ultem®) – polyetherimide	170	-50	127	–	1.25	FDA · V-0
PI – polyimide (Vespel®, TECASINT, Duratron PI)	290	-50	130	–	4	V-0
PPS – polyphenylene sulfide	220	-30	102	0.24	0.1	FDA · V-0

Where the datasheet lists several grades, the table shows the worst case (lowest temperature and tensile strength, highest absorption) and the lowest friction.

Frequently asked questions

How does the selector choose the plastic?

It removes the materials that cannot take the maximum and minimum temperature, the chemical medium or the requirements you tick (food contact, flame, humidity, dry running). Among those that pass, it first shows the ones already used in the chosen application and then the simplest one that works: polyolefin, engineering plastic, fluoropolymer and, last, high performance.

Where do the values come from?

From each technical datasheet in the catalog, which cites the semi-finished product makers' catalogs (Ensinger, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Daikin, Victrex and others). Where a datasheet lists several grades, the selector uses the weakest grade for temperature, tensile strength and water absorption.

Does the continuous temperature apply under load?

Not necessarily. The maximum continuous temperature is the material's ageing limit without load. Under load the limit is usually lower: check the HDT (heat deflection temperature) and creep in the material datasheet.

Which plastic for a bushing without lubrication?

Up to 100 °C, POM, PET-C with PTFE and oil-filled nylon solve most cases. Above that, PTFE with bronze or carbon and, under high load, bearing-grade PEEK or PAI (Torlon). Check the PV limit in each datasheet.

Which plastic resists almost every chemical?

PTFE (Teflon) resists practically every chemical up to 260 °C. When more stiffness is needed, PVDF (up to 140 °C) and PPS (up to 220 °C) are the usual alternatives; for acids and bases at low temperature, PP and HDPE.