Material guide: How to choose the right plastic material for your specific application

Plastics are some of the most versatile materials of construction in industry, process, chemical and food technology. Different types of plastics offer varying combinations of chemical resistance, temperature resistance, mechanical properties and cost effectiveness. Therefore, the right choice of material is crucial to ensure a stable, long-lasting and safe application.

This guide provides an overview of common engineering plastics such as PP, PVC, CPVC, PVDF and UPE. These materials range from affordable and easy-to-process options to plastics with high durability, good purity and advanced chemical resistance.

The aim is to help you choose the right plastic material based on temperature, pressure, chemical exposure requirements and the environmental conditions of your specific application.

NB: This guide provides general guidelines for the selection of plastic materials. The right choice of material always depends on your specific application and its requirements. Do not hesitate to contact us at Colly Flowtech for support, we will be happy to help you find the most optimal solution.

What is Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is a glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic used in a variety of industrial applications. It is particularly suitable for handling most acids and alkalis, and has good resistance to many organic solvents. PP is also relatively resistant to aromatic substances, making it useful in chemically demanding environments.

What are the properties of polypropylene (PP)?

Polypropylene is characterized by several technical and practical properties, including

• Maximum working temperature: ca +60 °C
• Low density - a lightweight material that is easy to handle
• Good mechanical strength, especially thanks to fiberglass reinforcement
• Good chemical resistance against acids, bases and many solvents
• Affordable and easy to process, making it cost-effective in many constructions

What are the disadvantages of polypropylene (PP)?

Despite its advantages, PP has some limitations that are important in material selection:

• Limited temperature resistance - max ca +60 °C in continuous operation
• Sensitive to UV radiation without stabilization
• Becomes brittle at low temperatures
• Does not tolerate strong oxidizing chemicals
• May deform under load (creep)

What is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)?

Polyvinylidene fluoride, or PVDF, is a high-performance fluoroplastic material known for its very high chemical resistance. It can withstand most solvents, acids, corrosive liquids and alkalis, making it well suited to demanding industrial environments where both cleanliness and durability are essential.

What are the properties of polyvinylidene fluoride?

PVDF has a combination of properties that make it popular in advanced applications:

• Maximum working temperature: ca +120 °C
• Very high purity, suitable for applications with strict requirements
• Low friction, which reduces wear and tear and energy losses
• Good temperature resistance, even in continuous operation
• UV and weather resistant, making it durable in outdoor and exposed environments

What are the disadvantages of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)?

Despite its strong performance, there are some limitations to take into account:

• Higher cost than many standard plastics
• Less temperature resistant than PTFE, PFA and other premium fluoropolymers
• Limited flexibility compared to FEP and PFA
• May be affected by strongly basic solutions at high temperature
• High density, which gives a slightly higher weight than e.g. PP

What is PVC (polyvinyl chloride)?

PVC, polyvinyl chloride, is one of the world's most widely used plastics. The material comes in two main forms: rigid PVC (uPVC) and plasticized PVC (pPVC). The rigid form is often used in pipes, fittings and structural components, while the softer form is used in, for example, hoses, cables and coatings.

What are the properties of PVC?

PVC has several technical properties that make it suitable for many industrial applications:

• Maximum working temperature: ca +65 °C
• Good mechanical strength - rigid and dimensionally stable
• High chemical resistance against acids, alkalis and many salt solutions
• Good dimensional stability even under varying loads and temperatures
• Cost-effective, making it a common choice in large installations
• Flame retardant material structure, as the chlorine content provides natural resistance to fire

What are the disadvantages of PVC?

Despite its versatility and low cost, PVC has some limitations:

• Relatively low temperature resistance - max ca +65 °C
• Sensitive to organic solvents and some oils
• Can become brittle at low temperatures, especially in rigid design
• Contains chlorine, which limits certain environmental and process requirements
• Soft PVC can migrate (leaking plasticizer) depending on quality and application

What is CPVC? (Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride)

CPVC, or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, is a modified form of PVC in which the polymer has been chlorinated to improve its performance. This chemical change allows CPVC to withstand significantly higher temperatures than regular PVC and gives the material increased resistance in harsher chemical environments.

What are the properties of CPVC?

CPVC offers several advantages and performance characteristics that make it suitable in demanding environments:

• Resistant to chlorinated environments, making it suitable in process and water applications.
• High temperature resistance - can withstand continuous temperatures up to about +100 °C, which is significantly higher than standard PVC.
• Better chemical resistance than PVC - especially against aggressive and chlorine-containing media.
• Stable and durable construction - maintains shape and strength even at higher temperatures.

What are the disadvantages of CPVC?

Despite its improved properties compared to PVC, CPVC has some limitations:

• Higher cost than both PP and PVC
• Less impact and shock resistant at low temperatures
• Can crack if installed incorrectly or overloading
• Limited chemical resistance against certain organic solvents
• Less flexibility than many other engineering plastics

What is UPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene)?

UPE, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, is a variant of polyethylene with a very long chain length and extremely high molecular weight. This gives the material a unique combination of toughness, abrasion resistance and impact strength, making UPE one of the most durable thermoplastics on the market.

What are the characteristics of UPE?

• Maximum working temperature: ca +80 °C
• Very low coefficient of friction, which provides excellent gliding ability
• Extremely low moisture absorption - maintains dimensional accuracy even in humid environments
• Good chemical resistance, except for strongly oxidizing acids
• Odorless, food-grade and non-toxic, suitable in hygienic or food-related applications
• Exceptional impact and wear resistance, among the best of all thermoplastics
• Strong alternative to PTFE where higher abrasion resistance is required

What are the disadvantages of UPE?

Despite its extreme durability and toughness, UPE has some important limitations:

• Relatively low temperature resistance - max ca +80 °C
• Poor UV resistance without stabilization
• Difficult to glue or bond due to low surface tension
• Softer than many engineering plastics, resulting in lower dimensional stability
• Limited chemical resistance to strong oxidizing acids