| Plastic | Chemical Formula | Petroleum Based | Shrink Rate | Thermoplastic or Thermoset | Melting Point | Glass Transition | Mold Temperature | Mold Pressure | Tensile Strength | Flexural Strength | Unique Characteristics |
| ABS Plastic | (C8H8)x· (C4H6)y·(C3H3N)z | Yes | 0.5-0.7% (.005-.007 in/in) | Thermoplastic | 204-238°C (400-460°F) | 105°C (221°F) | 63-85°C (145-185°F) | 69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI) | 46 MPa (6,600 PSI) | 74 MPa (10,800 PSI) | Readily available, cheap, durable |
| Acetal (POM) | (CH2O)n | Yes | 2.1-2.9% (.021-.029 in/in) | Thermoplastic | 182-218°C (360-425°F) | 79-107°C (175-225°F) | 69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI) | 63 MPa (9,100 PSI) | 90 MPa (13,000 PSI) | Low friction surface, high impact resistance | |
| Acrylic (PMMA) | (C5H8O2)n | Yes | 0.2-1% (0.002-0.01 in/in) | Thermoplastic | 130°C (266°F) | 79-107°C (175-225°F) | 69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI) | 65 MPa (9400 PSI) | 90 MPa (13000 PSI) | Low friction surface, high impact resistance | |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | C15H16O2 | Yes | 0.6-0.9% (.006-.009 in/in) | Thermoplastic | 288-316°C (550-600°F) | 82-121°C (180-250°F) | 69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI) | 59 MPa (8,500 PSI) | 93 MPa (13,500 PSI) | Extremely high impact resistance, Translucent | |
| Polyethylene (PE) | (C2H4)n | Yes | LDPE: 2.4-3.1% (.024-.031 in/in) HDPE: 1.7-2.9% (0.017-0.029 in/in) | Thermoplastic | LDPE: 110°C (230°F) HDPE: 130°C (266°F) | 21-66°C (70-150°F) | 69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI) | LDPE: 7 MPa (1,000 PSI) HDPE: 20 MPa (2,900 PSI) | LDPE: 6 MPa (800 PSI) HDPE: 21 MPa (3,000 PSI) | Diverse applications across a range of different types (LDPE, HDPE, UHMW etc) | |
| Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) | (C10H8O4)n | Yes | 0.1-0.3% (0.001-0.003 in/in) | Thermoplastic | 500°C (260°F) | 74-91°C (165-195°F) | 69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI) | 152MPa (22000 PSI) *w/ 30% glass fiber | 221MPa (32000 PSI) | "polyester" fabric, safe for consumables packaging, and shatterproof | |
| Polylactic Acid (PLA) | (C3H4O2)n | No - Biomass (typically derived from Sugarcane or Corn Starch) | PLLA: 0.37-0.41% (0.0037-0.0041 in/in) | Thermoplastic | PLLA: 157-170°C (315-338 °F) | PLLA: 178-240°C (353-464°F) | PLLA: 61-66 MPa (8,840-9,500 PSI) | PLLA: 48-110 MPa (6,950-16,000 PSI) | Biodegradeable (typically decomposes in 6-24 months) | ||
| Polypropylene (PP) | (C3H6)n | Yes | 1.5-2% (.015-.020 in/in) | Thermoplastic | 191-232°C (375-450°F) | 82-121°C (32-66°F) | 69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI) | 32 MPa (4,700 PSI) | 41 MPa (6,000 PSI) | Extremely flexible and ductile (#1 choice for living hinges) | |
| Polystyrene (PS) | (C8H8)n | Yes | 0.3-0.7% (.003-.007 in/in) | Both (Depends on Type) | 210-249°C (410-480°F) | 38-66°C (100-150°F) | 69-103 MPa (10,000-15,000 PSI) | 53 MPa (7,700 PSI) | 83 MPa (12,000 PSI) | Unique application as a foam ("styrofoam") | |
| Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) | (C2H3Cl)n | Yes | Thermoplastic | 100-260°C (212-500°F) | Flexible: 6.9-25 MPa (1,000-3625 PSI) Rigid: 34-62 MPa (4930-9000 PSI) | cheap, very hard and impact resistant |
