The difference between engineering plastics and ordinary plastics

In modern industry and daily life, plastics, as an indispensable basic material, are widely used in various fields. However, plastics are not a single variety, and there are significant differences between engineering plastics and ordinary plastics in terms of performance, application and cost. This article will delve into the differences between engineering plastics and ordinary plastics from multiple dimensions in order to better understand the application value of these two materials in different scenarios.

1. Thermal stability

One of the most remarkable characteristics of engineering plastics is their excellent thermal stability. The melting temperature and thermal deformation temperature of such plastics are usually much higher than that of ordinary plastics, allowing them to maintain stable physical and mechanical properties in high temperature environments. For example, engineering plastics such as polycarbonate (PC) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) can maintain good dimensional stability and mechanical strength even at high temperatures close to 200 ° C. In contrast, common plastics such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are prone to deformation and softening at high temperatures, limiting their application in high temperature environments.

2. Mechanical properties

Engineering plastics are also far better than ordinary plastics in terms of mechanical properties. They usually have high strength, stiffness, toughness and wear resistance, and can withstand large loads and stresses without deformation or fracture. This property makes engineering plastics ideal for manufacturing precision parts and high-performance products. For example, ABS plastics are widely used in automotive, electronic and electrical fields because of their excellent comprehensive mechanical properties. Although ordinary plastics also have a certain mechanical strength, the overall performance is relatively weak, and it is more suitable for occasions with low performance requirements, such as packaging materials and daily supplies.

3. Chemical resistance

Engineering plastics also excel in chemical resistance. They are resistant to a variety of chemicals, including acids, bases, solvents, etc., thus maintaining stable performance in harsh environments. This property makes engineering plastics have a wide range of application prospects in chemical industry, medical treatment and other fields. In contrast, ordinary plastics have poor chemical resistance and are prone to degradation or failure due to erosion by chemical substances.