Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-01-12 Origin: Site
One small resin change can flip your whole line. Output drops, scrap climbs, and surfaces look wrong. In plastic extrusion, material choice often matters more than the machine.
This article answers: What materials are used in plastic extrusion? You will learn the most common polymers, what each does best, and which risks to watch. We also cover key additives and quick selection rules you can use before you buy.
PE runs fast and stays forgiving on many lines. HDPE feels stiff and resists many chemicals. They use it for pipe and conduit. LDPE bends more and seals well in film. LLDPE adds puncture resistance for tougher films.
Uneven cooling can cause warp and ovality.
PP offers higher heat tolerance than many PE grades. It suits sheet, caps, and light trims. Cold impact can vary by grade.
Copolymer PP improves toughness in colder use. In plastic extrusion, stable heat control reduces odor and yellowing.
PVC is common in building products and wire insulation. Rigid PVC suits pipe and window profiles. Flexible PVC uses plasticizers for hose and cable jacketing.
PVC can degrade under long heat exposure. In plastic extrusion, stabilizers and good venting help.
PS can make glossy, clear sheet at low cost. It suits trays, lids, and simple signage. HIPS adds rubber for better impact, so it suits liners.
PS can crack under sharp impact. Clean handling helps in plastic extrusion.
ABS balances toughness and good surface finish. It suits appliance trims and electronics housings. It also works for durable extruded profiles.
ABS can pick up moisture during storage. Drying helps avoid streaks and bubbles.
Nylon brings wear resistance and low friction. It suits pneumatic tubing and technical parts. It also handles repeated flex well.
Nylon absorbs water from air over time. In plastic extrusion, drying is usually required.
PC combines clarity and very high impact strength. It suits safety guards and clear sheet. It holds strength at higher heat than many clear plastics.
PC needs strict drying before runs. Melt filtration helps improve optical quality.
Polymer | Main strengths | Common extruded products | Main watch-outs |
HDPE | Stiff, chemical resistant | Pressure pipe, conduit | Shrinkage, warpage |
LDPE / LLDPE | Flexible, strong film | Film, bags, liners | Soft at higher heat |
PP | Heat resistant, light | Sheet, packaging, trims | Cold impact, odor |
PVC | Stable profiles, low cost | Pipes, frames, insulation | Heat degradation |
PS / HIPS | Clear or tougher sheet | Trays, signage, liners | Brittleness, specks |
ABS | Tough, good finish | Housings, trims | Moisture, shear burn |
PA (Nylon) | Wear resistant | Tubing, technical parts | Moisture uptake |
PC | High impact, clear | Safety sheet, guards | Drying, heat history |
Start from real failure modes in service. Do they crack from impact. Do they creep under constant load. PE handles flex and impact well. PVC and PP stay stiff, yet grade choice matters.
Ask for tensile, impact, and creep data. It keeps plastic extrusion specs clear.
Service temperature sets fast boundaries. PP often beats PE in warmer service. PC and nylon go higher for tough jobs. Sun exposure adds UV stress, so stabilizers may be required.
Define exposure targets early. Then run short aging tests (needs verification).
Chemicals can attack plastics in quiet ways. Fuels can swell nylon in some cases. Solvents can stress crack PE. Flexible PVC can lose plasticizer over time.
Ask for compliance declarations and change control. Keep records for audits and reorders.
Resin price is not the full cost. Scrap and downtime often cost more. Stable grades can raise line speed and yield. Availability matters during ramps.
Qualify a backup grade early. Keep melt flow and density close.
Tip: Use a one-page requirement sheet before you request quotes.
Color can sell a product or hide regrind. Masterbatch often feeds more consistently than loose pigment. Some pigments affect UV performance and heat gain.
Run a short color stability check on parts. It prevents surprises after launch.
Heat and oxygen degrade many thermoplastics. Antioxidants protect during processing and use. UV stabilizers protect outdoor parts. PVC often needs heat stabilizers.
Stabilizers can change odor or shade. In plastic extrusion, confirm limits after aging tests.
Processing aids can smooth flow through a die. They can reduce melt fracture in PE film. Lubricants reduce friction and can ease startup.
Too much aid can cause surface bloom. Keep dosing controlled and documented at all times.
Flame retardants support cable and building codes. Reinforcements reduce creep and raise modulus. Fillers can improve stability and lower cost.
Additives can cut impact in thin walls. In plastic extrusion, confirm die pressure limits.
Note: For regulated parts, confirm additive approvals before sampling.
Blends help hit targets without exotic resins. PP can blend elastomers for softer trims. PVC often uses impact modifiers for cold use. PE blends can boost seal strength.
Blends can change shrinkage and weld strength. Run fit checks early during pilot runs.
Fillers can reduce shrinkage and improve tolerance control. Talc-filled PP holds shape in wide profiles. Calcium carbonate can reduce cost in PVC.
Fillers can reduce impact strength in thin parts. State filler type and loading in your spec.
Glass fiber is common in nylon and PP compounds. It raises stiffness and lowers creep. It suits structural profiles and technical ducts.
Composites raise die wear and pressure. Use hardened tooling and plan maintenance.
Abrasive compounds can wear die lands over time. Some packages also cause plate-out on the die. Recycling can get harder for multi-polymer blends.
Prefer mono-material designs when possible for easier recycling. Document blends for end users in drawings.
Tip: Ask compounders about filtration plans and wear expectations.
PEEK serves harsh chemical and heat exposure. It suits aerospace ducts and medical devices. It keeps strength in hot service zones.
It costs far more than commodity resins. In plastic extrusion, it needs strict drying.
PPS handles heat and chemicals in many systems. It offers good dimensional stability. PEI offers high heat strength and stiffness. They use it in electrical parts.
Both resins need careful moisture control. Melt filtration can improve stability and finish.
Upgrade only after you define the true environment. If PP fails heat, try nylon or PC first. If nylon swells in fuel, consider PPS.
In plastic extrusion, let test data drive the upgrade path.
PIR comes from clean production scrap. It usually runs more consistently. PCR comes from post-consumer streams. It can vary in melt flow and odor.
Use tighter incoming checks for every lot. Test melt flow and contamination levels.
PLA can extrude into sheet and rigid packaging. PHAs may biodegrade in some conditions. Starch blends can add renewable content at lower cost.
Bioplastics can degrade under long heat exposure. In plastic extrusion, control residence time tightly.
Mono-material parts sort more easily. Snap fits reduce permanent inserts. Clear resin marking helps recyclers. Co-extrusion can still work for circularity.
Keep layers in the same polymer family. Keep barrier layers thin and documented.
Goal | Good starting choices | Key checks | Common pitfall |
Lowest cost | PVC, HDPE, PP | Scrap rate, line speed | Hidden downtime costs |
Outdoor life | UV-stabilized PE, PVC | Weathering, color shift | Under-specified stabilizers |
Clear and tough | PC, clarified PP | Drying, gels, haze | Moisture damage |
Wear resistance | Nylon, filled nylon | Drying, swelling | Size drift in humidity |
Recycled content | PIR, qualified PCR | Melt flow, odor, specks | Uncontrolled variability |
Moisture causes many avoidable defects. Nylon, PC, ABS, and PET often need drying. Wet resin can cause bubbles and splay. It can also lower strength and impact.
Confirm dryer dew point and time. Measure moisture near the hopper each shift.
Thermal damage shows as brown streaks or black specks. PVC can degrade fast under long residence time. PP can yellow under high heat. PC can form gels after repeated heat history.
Keep barrel zones stable and avoid dead spots. Purge during long stops.
Gels look like small lumps in film or sheet. Streaks can come from pigment clumps or plate-out. Specks often come from dirty regrind or dust.
Check resin and regrind first on line. Then check screens and filters for buildup.
Resin lots can differ in density and melt flow. Cooling water can shift across shifts. Puller tension can also change slowly. Filled compounds often shrink less.
Control cooling and haul-off speed tightly. Record key setpoints for every shift.
Note: Run a small DOE before you approve any material change.
Material choice shapes every extrusion result. PE, PP, PVC, PS, ABS, nylon, and PC cover most needs. Additives and compounds fine-tune color, stability, and strength. Recycled and bio options can work, but they need tighter controls and clear specs.
If you want stable output and faster runs，Qingdao Xinrui Plastic Machinery Co., Ltd. can help. Their extrusion equipment supports consistent melt control, reliable production, and flexible setups for different materials, helping you improve quality and reduce waste.
A: Plastic extrusion often uses PE, PP, PVC, PS, ABS, nylon, and PC.
A: Plastic extrusion melts resin and forms a continuous shape through a die.
A: In plastic extrusion, match heat, load, chemicals, and required compliance first.
A: Plastic extrusion uses additives for UV life, color, smoother flow, and strength.
A: In plastic extrusion, wet resin, overheating, or dirty regrind often causes defects.
