Nothing is more important than choosing the right material for your plastic knob or handle. Careful consideration of the end user and application can save time and money in the long-run. Don’t know where to start? Here is list of materials for both thermoset plus thermoplastic and their applications to get you started. Talk to our highly trained technical sales and engineering staff if you have questions. We work with hundreds of various materials and constantly reviewing new materials as they come on the market.
What materials are available for plastic knobs and which is right for my application?
Thermoplastic Materials
Name
Properties
Applications and Uses
Acetal
Extremely rigid, high melting point, high strength, good frictional properties, resistance to fatigue
Gears, bearings, bushings, cams, housings, conveyors, plumbing fixtures, gas tank caps, automotive door handles, seat belt components, and zippers
Acrylics
Exceptional resistance to long-term exposure to sunlight and weathering, outstanding clarity, good light transmission
Swimming pools, skylights, sinks, washbasins, room dividers, and the tail lights on automobiles
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)
Outstanding impact strength and high mechanical strength, great as a substrate for metalizing
Appliances, automotive parts, pipe, business machines, telephone components, shower heads, door handles, faucet handles, and automotive front grilles
Nylon
Known for their stability and adaptability
Automotive parts, electrical and electronic applications, and packaging
Polyamide-Imide
Exceptional mechanical, thermal and chemical resistant properties
Aerospace, heavy equipment, and automotive
Polyarylates
Known for its strength, toughness, chemical resistance, and high melting points
Automotive, appliances, electrical and electronic applications, ovenware, and outdoor lighting
Thermoset Materials
Name
Properties
Applications and Uses
Alkyds
Excellent heat resistance, dimensionally stable under components,excellent dielectric strength
Electrical applications like circuit breaker insulation, switchgear, cases, housings, capacitor and resistor encapsulation, automotive parts, and coatings
BMC (Bulk Molding Compound)
Highly rigid, impact resistant, exceptional physical and aesthetic properties, high strength-to-weight ratio
Appliance parts, electric and electrical components, HVAC components, industrial light housings, automotive, recessed lighting baffles
Diallyl Phthalate (DAP)
Virtually no post-mold shrinkage, high impact resistance, resistant to sudden and extreme jolts and severe stresses, recommended for very high temperatures, chemical resistant, fungus resistant
Cross-linking agent, thermosetting molding powders, casting resins, and laminates, military, electronic components