China SABIC LEXAN HPXS8R Manufacturer, Supplier, Factory

In modern firefighting equipment, the choice of material for helmet visors is of utmost importance. Today, we will delve into two high-performance plastics—PPSU and PSU—and their outstanding performance in firefighter helmet visors and other high-end applications.

Since 2025, multiple countries have introduced a wave of trade restrictions, with the plastics industry bearing the brunt. Thailand announced a ban on plastic waste imports, Japan fully prohibited products containing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the EU expanded its 16th round of sanctions against Russia to include primary aluminum imports, and the Philippines proposed a nickel ore export ban. These measures not only disrupt raw material supplies but also reshape the global plastics trade.

Special engineering plastics, as the pinnacle of the field of polymer materials, are a class of high-end engineering plastics with characteristics such as high temperature resistance (long-term operating temperature > 150°C), high strength, and corrosion resistance. Their core value lies in achieving metal substitution through unique molecular structure design, playing an irreplaceable role in strategic industries such as aerospace, new energy, and electronic information. Currently, the global industry is undergoing a structural upgrade from general-purpose plastics to high-performance materials. Special engineering plastics, with their revolutionary advantage of "replacing steel with plastics," have become a key material for the transformation and upgrading of advanced manufacturing.

The shrinkage rate of plastic reflects the degree of dimensional reduction in a plastic part after it is removed from the mold and cooled. Factors affecting plastic shrinkage include the type of plastic, molding conditions, and mold structure. Different plastics exhibit varying shrinkage rates. Additionally, the shrinkage rate is significantly influenced by the part's shape, complexity of internal structure, and the presence of inserts.

In early March 2026, BASF, the global chemical giant, announced a move of profound significance for the Asia-Pacific market: its Shanghai Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) production facility has officially obtained the qualification to produce the full Elastollan® FR (Flame-Retardant) TPU portfolio. This marks BASF's successful achievement of localized supply for its entire range of flame-retardant TPU products—from Eco-friendly Flame Retardant (FHF) to High-Performance Flame Retardant (FR)—in China.

SABIC ULTEM™ 2310 is a 30% glass fiber-reinforced polyetherimide (PEI) resin that combines excellent flowability, ultra-high strength (tensile strength up to 169 MPa), and inherent flame retardancy (UL94 V0 & 5VA). It features a heat deflection temperature of 210–220°C, continuous use from -160°C to 180°C, and very low mold shrinkage (0.2%–0.6%). The medical grade (HU2310) offers ISO 10993 or USP Class VI biocompatibility and withstands multiple sterilization methods. Ideal for medical devices, high-temperature connectors, semiconductor tooling, and aerospace/automotive components, ULTEM™ 2310 is the all round ace for demanding injection molding applications.