Injection Molding Materials

Plastic Materials for Injection Molding

Q: What is the strongest plastic for injection molding?

Among the resins Meco molds, PEEK and nylon top the tensile-strength chart at roughly 90-100 MPa and 70-85 MPa, and glass-filled grades go higher still. The best material depends on the part, and Meco's engineers help you choose.

Q: Which plastic handles the most heat?

PTFE and PEEK lead, staying stable up to around 260 C and 250 C. For everyday heat, PBT, nylon, and polycarbonate handle roughly 120-140 C. Meco matches the resin to the exact temperatures the part will see.

Q: Which plastic is best for parts that touch chemicals?

PTFE offers outstanding chemical resistance, and PP, PVC, POM, and PEEK all rate excellent, making them strong choices for industrial and fluid-contact parts. Meco matches the resin to the exact chemicals the part will contact.

Q: Which plastics absorb the least moisture?

PTFE absorbs almost no moisture (0.00%), and PP and HDPE are under 0.01%. Nylon absorbs the most, from 1.5% to 8%, which can affect its dimensions and may require drying and design allowance.

Q: How tight a tolerance can Meco hold on plastic parts?

Standard tolerance is about plus or minus 0.05 mm on many stiff resins, while softer or high-shrink materials like PP and TPU run a little looser. Tolerance also depends on part size and shape, and Meco confirms the target with design-for-manufacturability feedback on every quote.

Q: Can Meco help me pick the right material?

Yes. Meco's engineers provide free design-for-manufacturability advice with every quote in under 24 hours, reviewing strength, heat, chemical, and finish needs before tooling begins.

Choosing the right resin is the foundation of a successful part. Meco molds 50+ engineering-grade thermoplastics, and our engineers help you match the material to your part's strength, heat, chemical, and finish needs, before any tooling is cut.

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Assortment of plastic injection molding resin pellets in a factory

How to Choose the Right Plastic

We look at four key factors so your Meco-made parts perform every time.

Mechanical Strength

For parts that take knocks or pulling force, we use tough grades like nylon and polycarbonate.

Thermal Resistance

For hot or freezing conditions, we offer heat-stable resins like PEEK and PTFE.

Chemical Integrity

For parts that touch oils or solvents, we pick resistant materials like PP and PVC.

Aesthetic Finish

For looks that matter, we guide you to materials like ABS that take a smooth or textured finish well.

Material Properties Data Sheet

Compare strength, heat limits, chemical resistance, and tolerance to pick the right plastic. Values are typical averages for standard grades.

Swipe the table sideways to see all columns

Material	Tensile Strength(MPa)	Impact Resistance(Izod)	Max Service Temp(°C)	Chemical Resistance	Moisture Absorption(%)	General Tolerance	Common Uses
ABS	40-50	High	70-80	Poor	0.3%	±0.05 mm	Housings, covers, consumer goods
POM (Acetal)	60-70	Moderate	90-100	Excellent	0.2%	±0.05 mm	Gears, bearings, moving parts
PA (Nylon 6/66)	70-85	High	100-120	Good	1.5-8%	±0.10 mm	Gears, bushings, clips
PC (Polycarb)	60-70	Very High	115-130	Fair	0.15%	±0.05 mm	Lenses, guards, clear parts
PC-ABS	50-60	High	85-95	Poor	0.2%	±0.05 mm	Auto interiors, electronics housings
PP	25-40	High	80-100	Excellent	<0.01%	±0.10 mm	Living hinges, containers, caps
PE (HDPE)	20-30	High	80	Good	<0.01%	±0.10 mm	Tanks, tubing, industrial parts
PVC	35-55	Moderate	60	Excellent	0.05%	±0.08 mm	Pipes, fittings, housings
PET	55-75	Moderate	100-110	Good	0.1%	±0.05 mm	Bottles, containers, clear parts
PMMA (Acrylic)	60-75	Low	65-85	Poor	0.3%	±0.05 mm	Lenses, light covers, displays
PEEK	90-100	High	250	Excellent	0.1%	±0.05 mm	Aerospace, industrial, demanding parts
PTFE (Teflon)	20-30	Moderate	260	Outstanding	0.00%	±0.10 mm	Seals, bearings, low-friction parts
PBT	50-60	Moderate	120-140	Good	0.08%	±0.05 mm	Connectors, electrical parts
TPU / TPE	10-45	Flexible	80-100	Good	0.3-1%	±0.15 mm	Seals, grips, flexible parts

Values are typical averages for standard grades and vary with fillers, part size, and design. Meco molds 50+ resins in total, including glass-filled and flame-retardant grades. Not sure which fits? See our plastic injection molding service or explore all our injection molding services, and our engineers will help you choose.

Common Questions About Plastic Materials

Quick answers to the questions engineers and buyers ask most.

What is the strongest plastic for injection molding?

Among the resins we run, PEEK and nylon top the tensile-strength chart, at roughly 90–100 MPa and 70–85 MPa. Glass-filled grades push strength even higher. The best pick depends on your part, so our engineers help you choose the right one.

Which plastic handles the most heat?

PTFE (Teflon) and PEEK lead, staying stable up to around 260 °C and 250 °C. For everyday heat, PBT, nylon, and polycarbonate handle roughly 120–140 °C. We match the resin to the exact temperatures your part will see.

Which plastic is best for parts that touch chemicals?

PTFE offers outstanding chemical resistance, and PP, PVC, POM, and PEEK all rate excellent. These are strong choices for industrial and fluid-contact parts. We match the resin to the exact chemicals your part will meet.

Which plastics absorb the least moisture?

PTFE absorbs almost none (0.00%), and PP and HDPE are under 0.01%. Nylon absorbs the most, from 1.5% up to 8%, which can affect its size, so it may need drying and design allowance. We factor this in when we pick your material.

How tight a tolerance can Meco hold on plastic parts?

Standard tolerance is about ±0.05 mm on many stiff resins, while softer or high-shrink materials like PP and TPU run a little looser. Tolerance also depends on part size and shape, so we confirm the right target with design-for-manufacturability feedback on every quote.

Can Meco help me pick the right material?

Yes. Send us your part and how it will be used, and our engineers give free design-for-manufacturability advice with your quote in under 24 hours. We look at strength, heat, chemicals, and finish before any tooling is cut.

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