GP
Great PlasticsEngineering Materials & Custom Parts
Interactive selector
Plastic material selection tool for engineering parts, drawings and RFQ decisions.
Shortlist PEEK, PPS, PEI, PAI, PI, PTFE, POM, Nylon and related engineering plastics by temperature, chemicals, wear, load, electrical needs, dimensional stability and manufacturing route.
Short answer
Choose the lowest-risk plastic that meets the real part conditions.
A strong material shortlist starts with five inputs: heat, chemicals, load, wear and dimensional control. The tool below turns those inputs into practical candidate materials, then connects the result to datasheets, machining review and RFQ preparation.
Selection tool
Enter the part conditions and get a first material shortlist.
Recommended shortlist
Balanced engineering plastic shortlist
The first shortlist favors machinable engineering plastics with a balanced mix of temperature resistance, dimensional stability and sourcing flexibility.
High-performance choice for heat, chemicals, wear and precision components.
Chemical-resistant option for stable industrial parts at a lower performance tier than PEEK.
Stiff amorphous plastic for electrical insulation, dimensional stability and machined parts.
Selection review worksheet
Turn the shortlist into a material request a supplier can act on.
What to record after using the selector
The first shortlist is a starting point. A useful material request explains the part function, why the current material is failing and which constraints cannot move.
- Current failure: wear, swelling, cracking, creep, heat deformation, chemical attack or electrical failure.
- Must-have property: heat, chemical, wear, load, insulation, dimensional stability or cost control.
- Manufacturing route: machined from stock, cut blank, printed prototype, molded part or route still open.
- Decision boundary: lowest acceptable performance tier, premium material allowed, document needs and lead-time target.
Shortlist handoff example
Candidate materials: PPS, PEEK and PEI.
Reason: Part sees 160 C, mild cleaner, tight bore tolerance and electrical insulation requirement.
Drawing focus: Bore, flatness, mounting holes, mating metal part and inspection dimensions.
Next step: Compare datasheets, check stock form, then send drawing and quantity for RFQ review.
Material decision table
Start with the material families that match the failure mode.
| Selection driver | First materials to compare | Why they fit | What to check before quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Severe heat and chemicals | PEEK, PI, PAI, PPS | Higher temperature capability, chemical resistance and dimensional stability. | Temperature cycle, fluid exposure, CTE, stock form and tolerance drift. |
| Wear, bushings and rollers | PAI, PEEK, POM, Nylon, PTFE-filled grades | Load-bearing, friction and wear behavior can be matched to shaft and speed. | Load, speed, lubrication, mating material, bearing pressure and expected life. |
| Electrical insulation | PEI, PEEK, PI, PPS, PC | Useful dielectric behavior, stiffness and heat options across several cost tiers. | Voltage, humidity, clearance, flame behavior and document requirements. |
| Chemical fluid parts | PTFE, PVDF, PEEK, PPS | Strong resistance to many process fluids, cleaners and industrial chemicals. | Chemical concentration, temperature, pressure, seal surface and mechanical load. |
| Cost-controlled mechanical parts | POM, Nylon, PET, PC, PP | Lower-cost materials can work when heat and chemical requirements are moderate. | Moisture, creep, dimensional stability, impact, machinability and part volume. |
Selection factors
Use these filters before choosing a high-performance plastic.
Temperature tier
Separate moderate parts from high-temperature and severe-temperature applications before looking at premium materials.
Chemical environment
Use chemical exposure to remove weak candidates early, especially when heat and stress occur at the same time.
Load and creep
Check static load, dynamic load, bearing pressure and long-term creep before locking a grade.
Wear and friction
Match the material to speed, mating surface, lubrication and whether fillers are needed.
Dimensional stability
Review CTE, moisture absorption, stress relief, flatness and tolerance across the actual part size.
Commercial fit
Choose the lowest performance tier that meets the requirement, then review stock form and process cost.
Performance map
Compare common engineering plastics by practical selection signals.
| Material | Heat | Chemicals | Wear/load | Electrical | Cost tier | Typical first route |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEEK | Very high | Very strong | Strong | Good | Premium | CNC machining, molding, sheet, rod, tube |
| PPS | High | Very strong | Medium | Good | High-performance | Machining, molding, sheet, rod |
| PEI | High | Medium | Medium | Very good | High-performance | Machining, molding, sheet, rod, filament |
| PAI | Very high | Strong | Very strong | Good | Premium | Precision machining |
| PI | Extreme | Strong | Strong | Very good | Specialty | Machined high-value parts |
| PTFE / PVDF | Medium to high | Very strong | Low to medium | Good | Medium to high | Machining, sheet, rod, chemical parts |
| POM / Nylon | Moderate | Medium | Good | Medium | Cost-controlled | Machining, molding, mechanical parts |
Manufacturing fit
The right material also needs the right production route.
Prototype or low volume
Start with stock shapes and CNC machining to prove geometry, tolerance, material behavior and assembly fit.
Cut stock or blanks
Use sheet, rod, tube or plate when samples, fixtures, simple profiles or machining blanks are the first need.
Repeat production
Review molding, repeat machining or 3D printing after quantity, geometry, validation and cost targets are defined.
RFQ-ready selection path
Convert the shortlist into the details a supplier can quote.
| RFQ input | Why it affects material choice | Example details |
|---|---|---|
| Drawing or 3D model | Geometry determines stock form, machining stress, tolerance and process feasibility. | STEP file, PDF drawing, critical dimensions, datum scheme. |
| Operating environment | Heat, chemicals, moisture and cleaning agents remove unsuitable materials. | Temperature range, fluid, concentration, exposure time. |
| Mechanical function | Load, impact, creep, sliding and wear requirements change the material family. | Static load, speed, shaft material, lubrication, duty cycle. |
| Dimensional requirement | CTE, moisture absorption and machining route affect tolerance and flatness. | Bore tolerance, flatness, mating clearance, assembly temperature. |
| Commercial target | Quantity, lead time and price target determine whether premium plastics make sense. | Prototype quantity, annual volume, target lead time, cost target. |
Drawing review
Material selection works best when the part function is visible.
Great Plastics can review the material shortlist against part geometry, stock form, machining route and application conditions. A clear drawing helps separate must-have material properties from preferences that can be optimized for cost or lead time.
- Mark sealing faces, bearing surfaces, datums, threads and cosmetic areas.
- Separate critical tolerances from noncritical dimensions.
- Share current material problems such as swelling, wear, cracking, creep or heat deformation.
- State certificate, inspection, packing and traceability requirements with the RFQ.
Related pages
Continue the material review.
FAQ
Questions buyers ask before choosing an engineering plastic.
What is plastic material selection?
Plastic material selection is the process of matching a plastic family and grade to the part environment, load, temperature, chemical exposure, electrical needs, dimensional stability, manufacturing route and commercial target.
How do I choose between PEEK, PPS, PEI, PAI, PI and PTFE?
Start with the operating temperature, chemical exposure, load type, wear surface, electrical requirement, tolerance and cost target. PEEK, PAI and PI fit severe heat and load; PPS fits chemical and stable industrial parts; PEI fits stiff electrical parts; PTFE fits chemical and low-friction uses.
Can the material selection tool replace an engineering review?
The tool helps build a shortlist. A drawing review is still useful before quotation because geometry, tolerance, stock form, machining stress, assembly clearance and documentation needs affect the final material choice.
What information should I send for material selection support?
Send the drawing or 3D model, current material if known, temperature, chemicals, load, speed, wear or electrical requirements, dimensions, tolerance, quantity, surface finish, inspection needs and target lead time.
When should I avoid over-specifying PEEK?
Avoid choosing PEEK by default when PPS, PEI, POM, Nylon, PVDF or PTFE can meet the actual temperature, chemical, load and tolerance requirements at a better cost point.
Can Great Plastics quote from a drawing after material selection?
Yes. A drawing or 3D model lets Great Plastics review material, manufacturing route, tolerance, stock form, inspection level and RFQ details for a custom plastic part.
RFQ checklist
Send the material shortlist with the drawing and operating data.
Include drawing or 3D model, current material, target material candidates, dimensions, tolerance, quantity, temperature, chemicals, load, wear, electrical requirements, surface finish, inspection needs and lead time.