Polyamide:

A polyamide is a macromolecule with repeating units linked by amide bonds.

[1]
Polyamides occur both naturally and artificially. Examples of naturally occurring
polyamides areproteins, such as wool and silk. Artificially made polyamides can be
made through step-growth polymerization or solid-phase synthesis yielding
materials such as nylons, aramids, and sodium poly(aspartate). Synthetic
polyamides are commonly used in textiles, automotive applications, carpets and
sportswear due to their high durability and strength. The transportation industry is
the major consumer, accounting for 35% of polyamide (PA) consumption.

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is a thermoplastic engineering polymer that is

used as an insulator in the electrical andelectronics industries. It is
a thermoplastic (semi-)crystalline polymer, and a type of polyester. PBT is
resistant to solvents, shrinks very little during forming, is mechanically strong,
heat-resistant up to 150 C (or 200 C with glass-fibre reinforcement) and can be
treated with flame retardants to make it noncombustible.

PBT is closely related to other thermoplastic polyesters. Compared to PET

(polyethylene terephthalate), PBT has slightly lower strength and rigidity, slightly
better impact resistance, and a slightly lower glass transition temperature. PBT and
PET are sensitive to hot water above 60 C (140 F). PBT and PET
need UV protection if used outdoors, and most grades of these polyesters are
flammable, although additives can be used to improve both UV and flammability
properties.
Applications

Polybutylene terephthalate is used for housings in electrical engineering, but also

in automotive construction as plug connectors and in households for example in
showerheads or irons. It is also found processed into fibers in toothbrushes and is
used in the keycaps of some high end computer keyboards because the texture is
highly resistant to wear.

PBT can also be made into yarn. This has a natural stretch similar to Lycra and can
be incorporated into sports wear. Due to its chlorine resistance it is commonly
found in swimwear.[2]

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) dielectric ~ 3.2; strength ~ 20; tangential loss ~

0.002 [3]

Polycarbonates (PC)

Polycarbonates (PC) are a group of thermoplastic polymers containing carbonate

groups in their chemical structures. Polycarbonates used in engineering are
strong, tough materials, and some grades are optically transparent. They are easily
worked, molded, and thermoformed. Because of these properties, polycarbonates
find many applications. Polycarbonates do not have a unique Resin identification
code (RIC) and are identified as "Other", 7 on the RIC. Products made from
polycarbonate can contain the precursor monomer bisphenol A (BPA).
Polycarbonate is also known by a variety of trademarked names, including Lexan,
Makrolon, and others.
Applications
Electronic components
Construction materials
Data storage
Automotive, aircraft, and security components
Niche applications
Medical
Phones

Polyethylene terephthalate

Polyethylene terephthalate (sometimes written poly(ethylene terephthalate)),

commonly abbreviated PET, PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P, is the most
common thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used
in fibers for clothing, containersfor liquids and foods, thermoforming for
manufacturing, and in combination with glass fiber for engineering resins.

It may also be referred to by the brand name Dacron; in Britain, Terylene;[4] or, in
Russia and the former Soviet Union, Lavsan.

The majority of the world's PET production is for synthetic fibers (in excess of
60%), with bottle production accounting for about 30% of global demand.[citation
needed]
In the context of textile applications, PET is referred to by its common
name, polyester, whereas the acronym PET is generally used in relation to
packaging. Polyester makes up about 18% of world polymer production and is the
fourth-most-produced polymer; polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP)
and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are first, second and third, respectively.
When filled with glass particles or fibres, it becomes significantly stiffer and more
durable.

Polypropylene (PP),

Polypropylene (PP), also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer used

in a wide variety of applications includingpackaging and
labeling, textiles (e.g., ropes, thermal underwear and carpets), stationery, plastic
parts and reusable containers of various types, laboratory equipment, loudspeakers,
automotive components, and polymer banknotes. An addition polymer made from
the monomer propylene, it is rugged and unusually resistant to many chemical
solvents, bases and acids.

Polypropylene is in many aspects similar to polyethylene, especially in solution

behaviour and electrical properties. The additionally present methyl
group improves mechanical properties and thermal resistance, while the chemical
resistance decreases.[2]:19 The properties of polypropylene are depending on the
molecular weight and molecular weight distribution, crystallinity, type and
proportion of comonomer (if used) and the isotacticity.

Application

Mechanical properties

The density of PP is between 0.895 and 0.92 g/cm. Therefore, PP is

the commodity plastic with the lowest density. With lower density,moldings
parts with lower weight and more parts of a certain mass of plastic can be
produced. Unlike polyethylene, crystalline and amorphous regions differ only
slightly in their density. However, the density of polyethylene can significantly
change with fillers.[2]:24

The Young's modulus of PP is between 1300 and 1800 N/mm.

Polypropylene is normally tough and flexible, especially when copolymerized with

ethylene. This allows polypropylene to be used as anengineering plastic, competing
with materials such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Polypropylene is
reasonably economical.

Polypropylene has good resistance to fatigue.

Polyoxymethylene (POM),

Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal,

[1]
polyacetal and polyformaldehyde, is an engineering thermoplastic used in
precision parts requiring high stiffness, low friction and excellent dimensional
stability. As with many other synthetic polymers, it is produced by different
chemical firms with slightly different formulas and sold variously by such names
as Delrin, Celcon, Ramtal,Duracon, Kepital and Hostaform.

Typical applications for injection-molded POM include high performance

engineering components such as small gear wheels, eyeglass frames, ball bearings,
ski bindings, fasteners, guns, knife handles, and lock systems. The material is
widely used in the automotive and consumer electronics industry.