5. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE / Teflon)

The Engineering Plastic PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride)

PVDF is one of the highest quality Engineering Plastics that can be used in extreme corrosive conditions.

Key characteristics of PVDF are:

• Incredible Resistance To Chemicals
• Exceptional Mechanical Strength
• Resistant To UV Damage And Weathering
• High Purity

Benefits of Using PVDF:

PVDF provides an excellent alternative for Chemical Processing, Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Water Treatment Applications because it can withstand both the harsh conditions caused by Chemical Exposure and High Temperature without losing its strength and integrity. PVDF has a very long life expectancy with very little maintenance; therefore, PVDF is an economical solution when used as a component in Critical Industrial Applications, even though it has a significantly higher upfront cost compared to traditional materials used.

6. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) – ABS is a widely used plastic with excellent aesthetics and durability.

Properties of ABS:

• Very high-impact strength
• Extensive machining capabilities
• Very smooth surface finish
• Moderate Resistance to Chemicals

Benefits of ABS:

Due to its versatility, ABS is commonly used in consumer product manufacture, as well as in automotive, electronic, and construction applications. The ability to fabricate, machine, and thermoform makes this material an excellent choice for producing aesthetically pleasing, detailed components while still maintaining an adequate degree of functionality. Due to its combination of properties (strength, flexibility, and cost), it is often used for both functional and decorative purposes.

7. Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP)

An abbreviation for Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP)

A composite material composed of plastic reinforced with glass, FRPs have the following characteristics:

Key Characteristics: 

FRPs have:

• A high strength-to-weight ratio
• Excellent Corrosion Resistance
• Excellent Resistance to Weather and UV Light
• Long Service Life 

FRPs have many applications, including tanks, grating, benches, ducts, structural elements, etc. FRP can replace metals in corrosive conditions (panels, etc). As FRP cannot rust, rot, or corrode, it makes FRP a great option for chemical and marine environments and for use in major infrastructure projects. FRPs are also lightweight, which significantly reduces the cost of transacting and installing products established as FRP.

8. Corrosion-Free and Low Maintenance

Plastics, unlike any of the metals, will not rust, oxidise, or corrode after being in contact with water, moisture, and chemicals.

The advantages of using plastics in very harsh conditions include chemical plants, wastewater treatment plants, and coastal areas.

By design, plastics eliminate the requirement of coatings, painting, and other forms of surface treatments to prevent corrosion.

In addition, plastics have very little need to be regularly maintained, which means that they can save money due to the lower cost of repairs or replacement.

The structural integrity and strength remain constant for long durations of time without the requirement for any maintenance.

Plastics are not prone to chemical attack, scaling, or degradation due to the environment. 

Therefore, plastics can be used in locations where maintenance access is difficult or limited.

9. Weather and UV Resistance

When designing plastics for manufacturing, it is important to consider the effects of harsh weather and long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Each type of plastic will provide protection from damage due to sunlight, including becoming brittle, losing color, and developing surface damage; therefore, UV-stabilised plastics such as polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP) will not crack, fade, or suffer from surface damage due to UV light. Additionally, these materials do not hold water, so they do not swell, warp, or lose strength during times of heavy rain or high humidity. By understanding these characteristics of fabricated plastic materials, you can use them for many different outdoor uses, including tanks, ducts, gratings, benches, and enclosures. Because these plastics can withstand extremely high and low temperatures, they are much more likely to be durable for many years to come with minimal maintenance when placed in open, exposed conditions.

10. Cost-Effectiveness Over Metal Alternatives

Plastics usually have lower manufacturing costs than metals because plastics use less expensive raw materials than metals, and the actual manufacturing processes are less expensive to manufacture than those of metals.

Because of the lower weight associated with transporting, handling, and installing plastics, the total cost of doing business with plastics is typically an order of magnitude lower than with metals.

Plastics do not require any coatings to protect against rust, paint, or any treatment necessary to protect against corrosion.

Thus, over the lifetime of the product, maintenance and repair costs will be substantially lower.

Plastics have an extended service life when used in buried pipelines in any type of corrosive or outdoor environment compared to metals.

The quick turnaround times for product fabrication, installation, and reduced labor costs associated with both of these parameters, will also lower the overall total project cost.

The energy-efficient manufacturing processes will ultimately reduce the embodied total production costs of plastics.

Conclusion

Choosing the right solution for industrial and commercial applications is very important when looking to use plastic in fabrication—understanding the advantages of plastics and their types is an important step in this process. Plastic materials such as polypropylene and HDPE are versatile; plastics such as PTFE and PVDF represent high-performance materials with unique properties tailored for specific applications.

As technology advances and innovative plastic materials continue to be developed, plastic fabrication has taken over for industrial and commercial applications, replacing more traditional metals and woods as a result of superior corrosion resistance, lightweight, flexibility, and long-term savings in cost of ownership. The increasing role of plastics will enhance all functional areas of building durable, efficient, and sustainable products.

The appropriate choice of a fabricated plastic means improved product performance, lower maintenance, and greater long-term reliability—all making plastic fabrication a wise economic decision for modern manufacturing.