Our Guide to Polymer Grade Selection
Selecting the appropriate polymer grade specification is crucial to ensuring a material meets performance, processing, and regulatory requirements.
Here’s an overview of the key considerations you should take into account:
Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polymers
Strength, flexibility, impact resistance, and durability must align with the intended application, whilst heat resistance and thermal stability are essential for high-temperature environments.
Chemical and Environmental Resistance
Exposure to moisture, UV radiation, chemicals, or extreme weather conditions affects material longevity. Certain material types such as ASA or PC offer great UV stability while PEEK & PPS can withstand the harshest of chemicals.
Polymer Processing and Manufacturing
Compatibility with manufacturing techniques like injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, or 3D printing is crucial. Viscosity, melt flow index, and shrinkage rates affect processability and final part accuracy.
Regulatory Compliance in Polymer Applications
Applications in food, medical, and aerospace industries require compliance with FDA, ISO, or UL standards. Flame-retardant grades (e.g. UL 94-rated materials) may be necessary for electrical or automotive applications.
Polymer Cost and Availability
Commodity polymers such as PE and PP offer affordability, while high-performance grades such as PEEK and PSU are costlier but provide superior properties.
Supply chain stability is a key factor in grade selection, especially for specialised polymers. By carefully evaluating these factors, manufacturers can select the optimal polymer grade for durability, functionality, and regulatory compliance.
Contact Hardie Polymers for help with your Polymer Grade Selection
We offer more than 7,000 grades of genuine brand materials in our portfolio. As the UK’s leading independent distributor of engineering and high performance polymers we compare the whole market to find you the best deal on any brand, grade or quantity you need.