Materials

For plastic parts in CNC machining, we have the following main thermoplastic families:

  • PC/Polycarbonate: 
  • Properties: transparent, good UV resistance, good mechanical properties (unbreakable) and resistant to impact and ageing.
  • Max. use temperature: -150 to 135°C.
  • ABS/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene:
  • Properties: good resistance and very good insulator.
  • Max. use temperature: -20 to 80°
ABS-01
  • PP/Polypropylene:
  • Properties: good resistance to chemicals and bending, good mechanical resistance and very good thermal resistance, bends when cold. Soft, grainy or smooth texture.
  • Max. use temperature: 65°C.
  • HDPE/High-density polyethylene:
  • Properties: microwave-compatible, good flexibility, very resistant to acids, aliphatic alcohols, aldehydes, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.
  • Max. use temperature: 65°C.
  • POM/Polyoxymethylene:
  • Properties: opaque and absorbs little moisture, resistant to most chemicals.
  • Max. use temperature: 100°C.
  • PMMA/Polymethyl methacrylate: 
  • Properties: smooth, shiny, more transparent than glass. Good UV resistance, good resistance to temperature, solvents and hydrocarbons, good rigidity.
  • Max. use temperature: 65°C.
  • PA/Polyamide:
  • Properties: good mechanical and chemical characteristics.
  • Max. use temperature: 120°C.
  • PA66+GF/PA reinforced with fibreglass: 
  • Properties: good resistance to temperature, solvents and hydrocarbons, and good rigidity.
  • Max. use temperature: 120°C.
  • PVC/Polyvinyl chloride:
  • Properties: good rigidity, incombustible, resistant to chemicals.
  • Max. use temperature: 65°C.
  • Bakelite:
  • Properties: very good insulator, resistant.
  • Max. use temperature: 150 °C.
Baklite-01
  • PPS phenylene polysulphide
  • Properties: resistant to heat, acids, sunlight and abrasion.
  • Max. use temperature: 180 °C.
  • PEEK polyetheretherketone:
  • Properties: Excellent conservation of mechanical and chemical properties in contact with strong heat sources.
  • Max. use temperature: 180 °C.

Concerning metals, we can produce in CNC machining with the following materials:

  • AcierSteel
    Properties: higher hardness and good impact resistance. Several alloys are available to meet specific needs (corrosion, hardness, etc.).
  • AluminiumAluminum
    Properties: light and resistant metal with a matt silver-grey appearance. Easily machinable. Good conductivity.
  • Stainless steel
    Properties: mainly contains steel and chromium. Stainless, and has good mechanical properties.
  • LaitonBrass
    Properties: relatively soft metal. Mixture of copper and zinc, ochre in colour. Easily machinable.
  • Zamaka
    Properties: mixture of copper, magnesium, aluminum and zinc. It offers very good mechanical characteristics and good corrosion resistance.

For vacuum casting, we mainly work with the range of materials made by Axson and Heicast. We have resins to simulate the main families (PA, POM, ABS, PC, PP, etc.):

PX 100, PX 118, PX 5211 (PX 521HT), PX 5212, PX 5210, PX 527, UPX 8400, PX 212 (UP 5690), PX 223HT, PX 2017, PX 220 (UP 4280), UR 2180, XU50, 8260. Concerning elastomers (EPDM), we can make different shores (hardness) ranging from 50 to 90.

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Comments (6)

  • Stuart in SIngapore Reply

    Do you do manufacturing with recycled plastics or only HDPE, etc?

    Which is more cost effective, vacuum casting or injection moulding?

    13 August 2020 at 6 h 23 min
    • Prototech Reply

      Hello Stuart,

      Thank you for your comment !
      We can use recycled and non recycled plastic materials for injection molding.
      Vacuum casting will more cost effective for small batches (up to 200/400 parts, no front cost) ; injection molding will be more interesting for large batches (more than 400/500 parts, front cost).

      Prototech Team

      13 August 2020 at 8 h 51 min
  • Joshua in Australia Reply

    I am seeking to have a short production/prototype run of parts made in quantities up to 100. Can you please provide me contact details for sending through information to facilitate quoting. I would be happy to receive advice concerning material selection and best prototyping process.

    Our product is a small drive box that will contain oil inside and be exposed on the outside to fertilisers and other chemicals. The internals of the box will need fine tolerances for mounting bearings.

    I look forward to hearing from you so that I can send through more information.

    Kind Regards,
    Joshua
    Engineer
    Simplicity Australia Pty. Ltd.

    11 September 2018 at 7 h 19 min
    • Prototech Reply

      Hi !
      Thanks for your comment,

      Following your demand, one of our teammate will contact you to discuss about your prototyping project.

      Following the requirements, we advise to invest into a protomold that will allow you to produce several shots (up to 20k parts).
      Then the advise material is POM or PC.

      The Prototech Team

      11 September 2018 at 8 h 42 min
  • David in London Reply

    Hello I am exploring the idea of designing a mat for working out/exercise/yoga etc.

    Can your proto-types be made in the material required example rubber (or the material most exercise mats are made from.

    kindest Regards

    6 December 2017 at 12 h 30 min
    • Prototech Reply

      Dear David,

      Many thanks for your comment !
      We do produce prototypes made of rubber material and elastomers parts. We would require to check your 3D files to estimate the feasability of the parts.
      I will send you an email that you can share with us the details.

      Have a great day !
      Kindest Regards,
      The Prototech Team

      7 December 2017 at 3 h 25 min

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