Our extensive range includes information on special plastics with particular properties that meet the requirements of a wide range of fields such as laboratories, industry, packaging and other applications.
Our plastic products stand out for their high quality, resistance and durability. We offer a wide variety of plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and many more. If you need further information on a particular plastic or have an individual enquiry, we will be happy to help.
PE-LD Low-density polyethylene
PE-LD (also known as LDPE) is physiologically harmless and ideal for packaging and storing food. Its natural colour is milky transparent or translucent. It feels slightly waxy and floats on water. Depending on the wall thickness, liquid levels, for example, are clearly visible. Thanks to its highly branched polymer chains, PE-LD is considerably more flexible than PE-HD or PP. Its tensile strength at 20 °C is about 8 to 10 N/mm². The exact density is between 0.915 and 0.935 g/cm³. Hydrocarbons diffuse easily through container walls, so this material is only partly suitable for substances containing hydrocarbons.
Squeeze bottles, flexible films, pipettes, dropper closures.
Very well suited for food. Resistant to non-oxidising acids, alkalis and organic solvents except chlorinated hydrocarbons. Not resistant to oxidising acids, oils and fats.
Continuous use between -40 °C and +95 °C.
Source: chemie.de encyclopedia, polyethylene (German)
PE-HD High-density polyethylene
PE-HD (also known as HDPE) is likewise physiologically harmless and approved for packaging and storing food. It is often produced using the modern Ziegler-Natta process, which results in only slightly branched chains. It is less transparent than PE-LD but still translucent enough for quick fill level checks in industry. Its highly ordered molecular chains make it more rigid and less flexible, but at around 20 to 30 N/mm² it offers very high tensile strength. Its density is 0.94 to 0.97 g/cm³.
Robust canisters, heavy-duty buckets, wide-mouth bottles, industrial packaging.
Excellent for hot filling and for storing oils, fats and petroleum hydrocarbons. Resistant to non-oxidising acids and alkalis. Not resistant to strongly oxidising acids.
Stable service range between -40 °C and +110 °C.
Source: chemie.de encyclopedia, polyethylene (German)
BIO-PE Bio-based polyethylene
Our GREEN PE products are a sustainable solution for the modern packaging industry. GREEN PE is made entirely from the renewable raw material sugar cane. This agricultural process significantly reduces harmful CO2 emissions, because the plant absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere as it grows. Its chemical and physical properties are almost 100 percent identical to conventional fossil-based PE. We deliberately do not currently stock products made from simple recycled material in our shop, as these often show unpredictable variations in colour, odour and resistance.
Sustainable cosmetic packaging, certified bio-based bottles, resource-saving screw caps.
100 percent recyclable in the normal PE waste stream. Fully food-safe with the same chemical barrier as conventional PE.
Service range identical to standard PE, between -40 °C and +110 °C.
Source: rct-online.de plastics encyclopedia (German)
GRP Glass-fibre reinforced plastic
GRP (glass-fibre reinforced plastic) is an extremely resilient composite material consisting of a plastic matrix, such as epoxy resin, with fine glass fibres embedded in it. It is known worldwide for its very high strength, dimensional stability and durability in all weathers. GRP is also relatively light, which makes it an ideal choice for weight-sensitive high-performance applications. Even aggressive ambient air in industrial settings hardly affects the material.
Large industrial tanks, piping systems, automotive body parts, special containers for high pressures.
Excellent for components under very high mechanical stress and for permanent outdoor installations. Very good weather resistance over decades.
Depending on the resin system, continuous use from -40 °C to approx. +130 °C is possible.
Source: chemie.de encyclopedia, composite materials (German)
PP Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a semi-crystalline, non-polar thermoplastic. It looks very similar to polyethylene, but an additional bonded methyl group gives it better mechanical properties and considerably higher heat resistance: it only melts at around 160 °C. PP is completely odourless, very skin-friendly and biologically inert. At 0.895 to 0.92 g/cm³ its density is pleasingly low. Thanks to its excellent fatigue resistance, durable hinges can be injection-moulded from PP in one piece.
Durable hinged closures, rigid food containers, microwave tableware, autoclavable laboratory vessels.
Ideal for direct food contact, pharmaceuticals and hot filling. Resistant to fats, almost all organic solvents and non-oxidising acids and alkalis.
Safe continuous use between 0 °C and +100 °C. Well below 0 °C the material becomes increasingly brittle.
Source: chemie.de encyclopedia, polypropylene (German)
PMP Polymethylpentene
When polymerised, the highly branched 4-methylpentene produces a very light, crystal-clear, hard, semi-crystalline thermoplastic. PMP has a very low density of only 0.83 g/cm³. In everyday laboratory use its chemical resistance is very similar to that of PP. However, it has a certain tendency to stress cracking on direct exposure to ketones or aggressive chlorinated solvents. Its main advantages are its excellent glass-like transparency, with up to 90 percent light transmission, combined with very low weight.
Transparent precision measuring beakers, high-quality laboratory vessels, sterilisable medical devices.
Ideal for precise visual content checks and demanding laboratory applications that require regular heat sterilisation.
Excellent, proven heat stability at service temperatures up to +150 °C.
Source: chemie.de encyclopedia, polymethylpentene (German)
PET Polyethylene terephthalate
PET is produced industrially by polycondensation and belongs to the large polyester family. It is a highly polar material with strong intermolecular forces. Although it is much lighter than glass, PET has exceptionally high breaking strength and very good sliding properties. Its impact strength, however, is comparatively low. A major advantage is its excellent optical clarity combined with a tight barrier against a wide range of gases.
Clear, shatterproof beverage bottles, premium cosmetic jars, attractive display packaging, thin durable films.
Widely used in the food industry because of its very good oxygen barrier. Rather poor resistance to strong inorganic acids such as concentrated sulphuric or nitric acid.
Reliable, proven service range from -20 °C to +60 °C. Above +80 °C it loses much of its dimensional stability.
Source: chemie.de encyclopedia, plastics (German)
PVC Polyvinyl chloride
PVC is a very durable, robust polymer that industry broadly divides into rigid PVC and plasticised flexible PVC. Direct sunlight, salty seawater and humid air barely affect the material, even over many years. Contrary to the common assumption that PVC is always opaque, rigid PVC can be made completely crystal clear with special additives, which is ideal for blister packaging. Its density is relatively high at around 1.38 to 1.40 g/cm³. It is easy to colour, absorbs hardly any moisture from its surroundings and is also a very reliable electrical insulator.
Dimensionally stable pipes, crystal-clear blister packaging, hard-wearing floor coverings, reliable cable sheathing.
Very well suited for long-term outdoor applications. Resistant to many acids and alkalis. However, the material is attacked by aggressive substances such as acetone, benzene and concentrated hydrochloric acid.
Normal use is safe between -15 °C and +60 °C. At high temperatures from +120 °C it can be shaped without machining.
Source: chemie.de encyclopedia, list of plastics (German)
PA Polyamide
Polyamides are among the most important and robust engineering thermoplastics worldwide. They are extremely tough in demanding use, with excellent impact strength and very high abrasion resistance. Compared with other common plastics, however, they absorb a relatively large amount of water from the ambient air (in some cases up to 3.7 percent). This material-specific increase in volume must be taken into account when designing precision parts. Fine glass fibres are often added to increase strength.
Wear-free gears, durable plain bearings, high-strength special packaging for industrial use, tear-proof cable ties.
Exceptionally resistant to fats, machine oils, fuels and dilute alkalis. Very poor resistance to strong acids and aggressive chlorinated hydrocarbons.
A very wide service range from -30 °C to +100 °C. Short-term peaks of up to +140 °C are also possible.
Source: chemie.de encyclopedia, polyamides (German)
PS Polystyrene
A pure PS homopolymer is completely water-clear and impresses with a very high, attractive surface gloss. The material is hard and very rigid, but tends to be brittle and somewhat prone to breakage under pressure. Indoors and out of direct light it keeps its brilliant transparency for a long time, but it is not suitable for direct outdoor use with UV exposure. In its chemically foamed form, this material is widely known as lightweight expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam).
Crystal-clear presentation boxes, sorting boxes, disposable drinking cups, eye-catching display items.
Visually perfect, clear presentation packaging. Largely resistant to salt solutions and alkalis. Very sensitive to petrol and essential oils, which can cause stress cracking very quickly.
Safe long-term use lies between -10 °C and +80 °C.
Source: chemie.de encyclopedia, plastics (German)
PVDF Polyvinylidene fluoride
PVDF is a special high-performance thermoplastic for very demanding and aggressive environments. It is flexible to process and relatively easy to shape, yet once finished it offers exceptional resistance to halogens. Its electrical insulation and long-term weather resistance are very high. At 1.78 g/cm³, PVDF has a very high specific density.
Sturdy laboratory tubing, durable pump components, reliable lines for medical ultrapure water, components in large chemical plants.
The ideal choice for industrial water treatment and the demanding pharmaceutical sector. Reliably withstands even the strongest chemical exposure over the long term.
An excellent temperature range from -40 °C up to +150 °C without any loss of performance.
Source: chemie.de encyclopedia, fluoroplastics (German)
PU Polyurethane
Polyurethane is an extremely versatile material. Depending on how it is produced, it can be a very soft, flexible foam for mattresses or a very hard, dense insulating material. In modern construction this expanding material is often used to seal joints permanently, while in industry it is used for thick insulation layers or shock-absorbing elements. Incidentally, despite the name, urethane is not the monomer; the polymer simply contains the typical urethane linkage.
Tight insulated boxes, durable seals, solid shock absorbers, thermally insulating packaging elements.
Very well suited for thermal insulation and reliable impact protection in industry. Less suitable for purely static between-rafter insulation in visible domestic areas.
The reliable continuous service temperature in industry is generally between -30 °C and a maximum of +90 °C.
Source: chemie.de encyclopedia, polyurethane (German)