The following are short descriptions of some plastics and resins Malvern Plastics Group distributes. If you would like to purchase or learn more about these plastics and resins, please contact us.


ABS

ABS, or Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is a common thermoplastic. This plastic is commonly used to make light and rigid molded plastic products. Acrylonitrile and butadiene are combined with styrene to make the styrene a stronger plastic. Butadiene is a rubbery substance, which provides the plastic with toughness, even at cold temperatures. ABS is used for a wide variety of products including: piping, some musical instruments (plastic recorders), toys, kitchen appliances, automotive parts, helmets and sporting equipment like in the heads of golf clubs.

For more information regarding resins or our plastic distribution services, please contact Malvern Plastics Group.


PC/ABS

This is a resin that combines Polycarbonate with ABS. The Polycarbonate provides the resin with heat resistance and resiliency, while the Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene provides protection against chemical stress. Also, the ABS is much lower in cost than PC; therefore combining the two would be more cost efficient than using Polycarbonate alone. PC/ABS also provides a resistance to color fading due to UV radiation. Some plastic products made with PC/ABS include: helmets, computer parts, interior automotive parts, phones and flashlights.

For more information regarding resins or our plastic distribution services, please contact Malvern Plastics Group.


NYLON

Nylon is one of the most common polymers used today. It is commonly found in clothing, although nylon is also found in thermoplastic form. This means that they can be reshaped and reformed upon heating. Nylon’s first intention was to be a viable replacement for silk. However, it was first used as bristles for toothbrushes beginning in the 1930s. Nylon is also most popularly known for the use in women’s stockings. It is considered the world’s first successful synthetic polymer for commercial use. This could be due to nylon’s excellent wear and chemical resistance. It is also very heat resistant, although moisture has a profound effect on nylon. In fiber form, Nylon is used to make products such as fabric, bridal veils, carpet, and string (including those for musical instruments). In solid form, nylon is used to make bristles used in brushes, electrical connectors, fishing wire, oil change pans, as well as sports and recreational equipment.

The two most common forms of nylon are Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6. Nylon 6 is made of very tough fibers, but it is also very elastic and even resistant to wrinkling.  Nylon 6 is also very resistant to acids. Nylon 6 is typically used in toothbrush bristles, surgery sutures, hosiery, rope and musical instrument string, like mentioned above. Nylon 6,6 is a very resilient resin. It is very resistant to heat and friction, as well as resistant to color fading. Products such as carpet, clothing, airbags, hoses, ropes and some tires are made out of Nylon 6,6.

For more information regarding resins or our plastic distribution services, please contact Malvern Plastics Group.


PET

Also known as polyethylene terephthalate, PET is a polymer. It is formed by joining the monomers modified ethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid. It is a very common form of plastic and highly recyclable. Any product with the plastic recycling code of #1 on the bottom is made with PET. It is a very light weight, inexpensive and shatter-resistant plastic. The most common uses of PET are soft drink bottles, water and juice bottles, salad dressing bottles, and some household cleaning containers. It is one of the most commonly recycled materials because it can be used to make a variety of new products including: carpet, clothing, athletic shoes, and automotive parts. They can even be re-used as soft drink, water and juice bottles.

For more information regarding resins or our plastic distribution services, please contact Malvern Plastics Group.


POLYCARBONATE

Polycarbonate, or PC, is a versatile, tough plastic used for a variety of applications. It is a thermoplastic, meaning it can be reshaped and reformed upon heating. Polycarbonate is recyclable, labeled with the plastic recycling code of #7 (Other) on the bottom. The main advantage of polycarbonate over other types of plastic is unbeatable strength combined with light weight. While acrylic is 17% stronger than glass, polycarbonate is nearly unbreakable. Polycarbonate is just one-third the weight of acrylic, or one-sixth as heavy as glass, making PC tough and stable. Some common forms of Polycarbonate include bulletproof windows, CDs, DVDs, eye glasses, computer cases, and even some cell phones.

For more information regarding resins or our plastic distribution services, please contact Malvern Plastics Group.