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Engineering Plastics for Custom Manufacturing

Explore engineering plastics for CNC machining and custom part manufacturing. Compare commonly used materials by strength, wear resistance, friction, temperature capability, chemical resistance, dimensional stability and electrical properties to find a practical option for your application.

 

Engineering plastic rods, sheets and precision parts in different materials
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  • Wide Material Selection​​​​​​​
    Compare commonly used engineering plastics for mechanical, thermal, chemical and electrical performance requirements.​​​​​​​
    Consult a material expert
  • Manufacturing Compatibility​​​​​​​
    Find engineering plastics suitable for CNC machining, fabrication and other custom manufacturing processes.​​​​​​​
    Consult a material expert
  • Engineering Material Support​​​​​​​
    Get practical material recommendations based on load, wear, friction, temperature, chemicals, tolerances and operating environment.​​​​​​​
    Consult a material expert
  • Certificates & Traceability​​​​​​​
    Material certificates and supporting documentation are available for applicable materials and project requirements.
    Consult a material expert

Engineering Plastics & Materials We Work With

Explore commonly used engineering plastics for CNC machining and custom part manufacturing. Compare materials by strength, wear resistance, friction, temperature capability, chemical resistance, dimensional stability and electrical performance.

How to Choose the Right Engineering Plastic

The right engineering plastic depends on mechanical load, wear, friction, operating temperature, chemical exposure, moisture, dimensional stability and electrical requirements. Compare common materials based on the performance your part needs most.

  • Selection 1Best Engineering Plastic for Precision Parts — POM / Acetal
    POM acetal precision gears and bushings for dimensionally stable mechanical parts
    POM, also known as Acetal, is a popular engineering plastic for precision CNC machined parts because of its excellent machinability, low moisture absorption, low friction and good dimensional stability.

    Best For

    Precision gears · Bushings · Rollers · Fixtures · Valve components · Mechanical parts

    Choose POM When You Need

    Dimensional Stability · Good Machinability · Low Friction · Low Moisture Absorption
  • Selection 2-Best High-Temperature Engineering Plastic — PEEK
    PEEK precision machined components for high-temperature engineering applications
    PEEK is a high-performance engineering plastic used where parts must maintain mechanical performance at elevated temperatures while resisting chemicals, wear and demanding operating conditions.

    Best For

    High-temperature components · Seals · Insulators · Aerospace components · Semiconductor equipment parts · Precision mechanical parts

    Choose PEEK When You Need

    High Temperature Resistance · Chemical Resistance · High Strength · Dimensional Stability
  • Selection 3-Best Engineering Plastic for Toughness & Wear — Nylon / PA

    Nylon gears and rollers for tough wear-resistant mechanical applications

    Nylon is a tough and wear-resistant engineering plastic commonly used for moving mechanical parts that require impact resistance, load-bearing capability and low-friction performance.

    Best For

    Gears · Bearings · Rollers · Guides · Wheels · Wear components

    Choose Nylon When You Need

    Toughness · Wear Resistance · Impact Resistance · Mechanical Strength
  • Selection 4-Best Low-Friction Plastic for Chemical Resistance — PTFE

    PTFE bushings and seals for low-friction and chemical-resistant applications

    PTFE is widely selected for parts requiring extremely low friction, excellent chemical resistance, electrical insulation and reliable performance in aggressive operating environments.

    Best For

    Seals · Bushings · Insulators · Valve components · Chemical handling parts · Sliding components

    Choose PTFE When You Need

    Very Low Friction · Chemical Resistance · Electrical Insulation · Non-Stick Performance
  • Selection 5-Best Plastic for Abrasion & Impact Resistance — UHMW-PE
    UHMW-PE wear strips and conveyor guides for abrasion-resistant applications
    UHMW-PE provides excellent abrasion resistance, high impact strength and naturally low friction, making it well suited to demanding wear and material-handling applications.

    Best For

    Wear strips · Conveyor guides · Liners · Rollers · Chute components · Impact parts

    Choose UHMW-PE When You Need

    Excellent Wear Resistance · High Impact Strength · Low Friction · Low Moisture Absorption
  • Selection 6-Best Transparent Engineering Plastic for Impact Resistance — Polycarbonate / PC
    Transparent polycarbonate machine guard for impact-resistant protective applications
    Polycarbonate combines high impact resistance with optical transparency, making it a practical material for protective parts, machine guards and transparent structural components.

    Best For

    Machine guards · Protective covers · Transparent housings · Equipment panels · Inspection windows

    Choose Polycarbonate When You Need

    Impact Resistance · Transparency · Dimensional Stability · Electrical Insulation
  • Selection 7-Best Cost-Effective Plastic for General-Purpose Parts — ABS
    ABS equipment housing for cost-effective general-purpose plastic parts
    ABS is a cost-effective engineering thermoplastic offering good impact resistance, machinability and general mechanical performance for prototypes and non-demanding custom parts.

    Best For

    Housings · Covers · Fixtures · Prototypes · Equipment components · General-purpose parts

    Choose ABS When You Need

    Cost Efficiency · Impact Resistance · Easy Machining · Lightweight Construction
  • Selection 8-Best Plastic for Precision Wear Components — PET / PET-P
    PET engineering plastic rollers and guides for precision wear applications
    PET is a dimensionally stable engineering plastic with good wear resistance, low moisture absorption and reliable machinability for precision mechanical components.

    Best For

    Bushings · Guides · Rollers · Gears · Precision mechanical parts · Food equipment components

    Choose PET When You Need

    Dimensional Stability · Wear Resistance · Low Moisture Absorption · Good Machinability
  • Selection 9-Best High-Temperature Plastic for Electrical Components — PEI / Ultem
    PEI Ultem electrical insulator components for high-temperature applications
    PEI is a high-performance thermoplastic that combines elevated-temperature capability, dimensional stability, mechanical strength and electrical insulation.

    Best For

    Electrical insulators · Connector components · High-temperature housings · Aerospace parts · Precision electrical components

    Choose PEI When You Need

    Heat Resistance · Electrical Insulation · Dimensional Stability · Mechanical Strength
  • Selection 10-Best Engineering Plastic for Chemical & Fluid Handling — PVC
    PVC valve and fluid handling components for chemical-resistant applications
    PVC is a cost-effective engineering plastic with good chemical resistance, electrical insulation and machinability for industrial chemical and fluid-handling components.

    Best For

    Chemical equipment parts · Fluid handling components · Panels · Electrical parts · Industrial fixtures

    Choose PVC When You Need

    Chemical Resistance · Electrical Insulation · Good Machinability · Cost Efficiency
Compare Engineering Plastics in More Detail
Compare commonly used engineering plastics by strength, temperature resistance, wear performance, friction, moisture absorption, chemical resistance and dimensional stability to find the right material for your application.
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Manufacturing Processes for Engineering Plastics

Engineering plastics respond differently to machining, molding, forming and additive manufacturing. The right process depends on the plastic material, part geometry, tolerances, production volume and performance requirements.


Process Selection Note​​​​​​​
The appropriate manufacturing process depends on the exact aluminum grade, material form, part geometry, tolerance requirements, surface finish and production quantity.
  • Material & Process Matching​​​​​​​
    Select engineering plastics based on both performance requirements and manufacturing behavior.
  • Design-Based Selection​​​​​​​
    Consider geometry, tolerances, wall thickness, dimensional stability and production volume before selecting a process.
  • Engineering Support​​​​​​​
    Get practical guidance when comparing engineering plastics and manufacturing options for your application.

Key Properties of Engineering Plastics

Engineering plastics offer different combinations of strength, wear resistance, friction, temperature capability, chemical resistance, dimensional stability and electrical performance. The right material depends on the operating conditions and functional requirements of your part.

  • Wear Resistance

  • Low Friction

  • High Temperature Resistance

  • Chemical Resistance

  • Dimensional Stability

  • Impact Resistance

  • Electrical Insulation

  • Lightweight Performance

Engineering plastic parts with polished surfaces, laser marking and threaded inserts

Surface Finishing & Secondary Operations for Engineering Plastics

Engineering plastics can support selected finishing, marking and assembly operations after machining or fabrication. Compatibility depends on the polymer, surface condition and application requirements.

Surface Refinement

Polishing and sanding for improved appearance or smoothness.

Marking

Laser marking, engraving and printing for part identification.

Painting & Coating

Color and protective finishes for compatible plastics.

Inserts & Assembly

Threaded inserts, bonding and secondary assembly options.

Discuss Finishing Requirements
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Engineering Plastics​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Secondary Operations​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Finishing Categories​​​​​​​
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Compatibility Factors

Engineering Plastics for Different Applications

Different engineering plastics are selected for different combinations of wear resistance, friction, temperature, chemical exposure, dimensional stability and electrical performance.
  • Precision Mechanical Components
    Precision Mechanical Components
  • Wear & Sliding Components
    Wear & Sliding Components
  • High-Temperature Components
    High-Temperature Components
  • Chemical & Fluid Handling Parts
    Chemical & Fluid Handling Parts
  • Electrical & Insulation Components
    Electrical & Insulation Components
  • Machine Guards & Protective Covers
    Machine Guards & Protective Covers
  • Gears, Rollers & Bearings
    Gears, Rollers & Bearings
  • Housings & Equipment Components
    Housings & Equipment Components
Application Note​​​​​​​
Material selection should consider load, temperature, wear, moisture, chemicals, tolerances and the actual operating environment.

Verified Engineering Plastics for Consistent Part Quality

Plastic grade, manufacturer, reinforcement and material condition can affect part performance. We review material requirements before production and can provide supporting documentation for applicable projects.
Material Quality & Traceability
  • Material Grade Verification
  • Material Certificates
  • Batch Traceability
  • Incoming Material Inspection
  • Documentation Support
  • Quality Note

Explore Other Manufacturing Materials

Compare other metals and engineering materials for different strength, corrosion resistance, temperature, weight and manufacturing requirements.

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Engineering Plastics FAQs
  • What engineering plastics do you work with?
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    We work with commonly used engineering plastics including POM / Acetal, PEEK, Nylon, PTFE, UHMW-PE, Polycarbonate, ABS, PET, PEI and PVC, along with other grades available for specific project requirements.
  • Which engineering plastic is best for CNC machining?
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    POM is a popular choice for precision CNC machined plastic parts because of its good machinability and dimensional stability. PEEK, PET, Nylon, PTFE and other engineering plastics can also be machined depending on the application.
  • What is the best plastic for precision parts?
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    POM and PET are commonly considered for precision mechanical parts where dimensional stability and machinability are important. PEEK may be preferred when higher temperature or chemical resistance is also required.
  • What is the best engineering plastic for high temperatures?
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    PEEK and PEI are common high-performance choices for elevated-temperature applications. The right material depends on operating temperature, mechanical load, chemicals and required dimensional stability.
  • Which plastic has the lowest friction?
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    PTFE is widely used for very low-friction applications. UHMW-PE, POM and selected Nylon grades are also commonly used for sliding, bearing and wear components.
  • Which engineering plastic is best for wear resistance?
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    UHMW-PE, Nylon, POM, PET and PEEK can provide good wear performance depending on load, speed, temperature and mating surface conditions.
  • POM or Nylon — which should I choose?
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    Choose POM when dimensional stability, low moisture absorption and precision machining are priorities. Nylon is often preferred when toughness, impact resistance and load-bearing performance are more important.
  • PEEK or PTFE — which is better?
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    PEEK provides higher mechanical strength and dimensional stability, while PTFE offers extremely low friction and excellent chemical resistance. The better choice depends on temperature, load, friction and chemical exposure.
  • Does moisture absorption affect plastic parts?
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    Yes. Moisture absorption can affect dimensions and mechanical properties in some engineering plastics. This is especially important when selecting materials for tight-tolerance or humid operating environments.
  • Which engineering plastics are chemically resistant?
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    PTFE and PEEK are commonly selected for demanding chemical environments. PVC and UHMW-PE can also provide useful chemical resistance for many industrial applications.
  • Which plastic is best for electrical insulation?
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    PEEK, PEI, PTFE, Polycarbonate and PVC are commonly used for electrical insulation applications. Material selection should also consider temperature, voltage, mechanical load and environmental exposure.
  • Can engineering plastics replace metal parts?
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    In some applications, engineering plastics can reduce weight, friction, corrosion and lubrication requirements. However, load, stiffness, temperature, creep and dimensional requirements should be reviewed before replacing a metal component.
  • Can engineering plastics be finished or marked after machining?
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    Yes. Depending on the material, options may include polishing, sanding, laser marking, printing, painting, coating, threaded inserts and secondary assembly.
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