A Glossary of Common Plastic Sheet Material Terms
Choosing the right plastic sheet materials for a project can involve a lot of technical terminology. From material grades and manufacturing processes to properties such as impact strength and dimensional stability, understanding these terms can make comparing materials much easier.
At Oadby Plastics, we supply an extensive range of engineering and fabrication plastic sheets for applications across manufacturing, engineering, construction, food production and many other industries.
To help you make a more informed material choice, we’ve explained some of the most common plastic sheet terms you may come across when choosing the right plastic for your application.
Amorphous
A plastic with a molecular structure that does not form an ordered crystalline pattern. Amorphous plastics can offer good dimensional stability and, depending on the material, excellent optical clarity. Acrylic, polycarbonate and ABS are common examples.
Chemical resistance
The ability of a material to withstand exposure to chemicals without significant deterioration. The level of resistance varies between plastics and should always be considered alongside the chemicals, concentration and operating conditions involved.
Coefficient of friction
The ratio between the frictional force resisting movement and the force pressing two surfaces together. Plastics with a low coefficient of friction can help components slide more easily, making them useful for wear strips, conveyor guides, slide plates, liners and some bearing components. Static and dynamic coefficients of friction can vary with the mating material, surface finish, load, speed, temperature and lubrication.
Creep resistance
The ability of a material to resist gradual deformation when used under a constant load over time. Good creep resistance can be particularly important for precision components and load-bearing applications.
Dimensional stability
The ability of a plastic to retain its original dimensions when exposed to changes in temperature, moisture or mechanical load. Materials with high dimensional stability are often preferred for precision-machined components.
Engineering plastic
A general term for plastics designed to provide enhanced mechanical, thermal or chemical performance compared with standard commodity plastics. Common examples include nylon, acetal, PET, PTFE and PEEK.
Extruded sheet
Plastic sheet manufactured by melting polymer and continuously passing it through a die before cooling it into a flat sheet. Extrusion is widely used to produce consistent sheets in a range of thicknesses and sizes.
Fabrication plastic
Plastic sheet selected for processes such as cutting, bending, forming, welding and bonding. These materials are commonly used for guards, tanks, covers, displays, enclosures and other fabricated products.
Food contact approved
A term used for materials or specific grades that meet relevant requirements for contact with food. Approval can vary by material, grade, colour and regulatory standard, so suitability should always be checked for the intended application. Information can be found on our product data sheets. However, as compliance can vary by material, grade, colour, intended use and applicable regulation, we always recommend confirming suitability with our team before specifying a material.
Impact strength
The ability of a material to withstand sudden force or impact without cracking or breaking. Polycarbonate, for example, is commonly selected where high impact resistance is required.
Machinability
How effectively a plastic can be cut, drilled, milled or turned whilst maintaining the required finish and tolerances. Material properties and machining parameters can both affect the finished component.
PE
Short for polyethylene, a family of plastics available in several grades including PE300, PE500 and PE1000. Different grades provide varying levels of stiffness, impact resistance, wear performance and friction characteristics.
POM
The abbreviation for polyoxymethylene, more commonly known as acetal. It offers good dimensional stability, low moisture absorption and excellent machinability, making it a popular choice for precision engineering components.
Sheet thickness
The nominal thickness of a plastic sheet, usually specified in millimetres. Selecting the correct thickness depends on factors including load, rigidity, fabrication method and the requirements of the finished component. As we stock a range of sheet sizes and thicknesses, our expert team can offer guidance on the right solution for your application.
Thermoforming
A manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated until it becomes formable before being shaped over or into a mould. Materials such as PETG, ABS and certain polycarbonate grades are commonly used for thermoformed parts.
UV resistance
The ability of a plastic to withstand exposure to ultraviolet radiation. UV-stabilised grades can help reduce degradation, discolouration and loss of performance in outdoor applications.
Virgin material
Plastic manufactured from new polymer resin without recycled or reprocessed polymer content. Virgin grades can provide highly consistent properties, appearance and performance for demanding applications. Requirements and terminology should be confirmed with the supplier for applications where material traceability is important.
No single plastic sheet is suitable for every application. Factors including temperature, chemical exposure, impact, wear, friction, moisture and dimensional requirements can all influence which material and grade will perform best.
Understanding the terminology is a useful starting point, but material selection should always be based on the requirements of the application.
At Oadby Plastics, our experienced team can help you compare plastic sheet materials and select the right option for your project. Explore our Product Finder or speak to our team for further technical guidance.
