Plastic Extrusion Materials

Standard Colors we Offer:

Color availability is dependent on material selection

• Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, Orange, Grey, White and Black

Custom color matching available.

Materials:

ACE works with Thermoplastic Materials, which are plastic polymer materials that become pliable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling. The Cooling process consists of using either an air or water technique. Most thermoplastics soften quickly with increased temperature, yielding a viscous liquid. In this state, thermoplastics may be reshaped and are typically used to produce parts by various processing techniques such as extrusion. We work with the following thermoplastic materials (but not limited to):

Polyethylene (PE)

PE is the most used plastic today, accounting for 1/3 of plastic products. There are several grades of Polyethylene materials; High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE), Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). HDPE has high tensile strength and most LDPE, MDPE, and HDPE grades have excellent chemical resistance. It has low strength, hardness, and rigidity with high ductility and impact strength. The flexibility of Polyethylene makes it ideal for the production of larger diameter tubing. They are often used for tubing, various sporting goods and reusable plastic drinking straws.

Polypropylene (PP)

PP is a polymer material and is part of the group of polyolefins. Its properties are similar to polyethylene, but it is more heat-resistant and slightly stiffer. It is a durable material with high chemical resistance. It is often used for packaging tubes, plastic sleeves, and drinking straws. Polypropylene is the second-most widely produced commodity plastic.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

PVC comes in different forms and are usually categorized as rigid (RPVC/CPVC) or flexible (FPVC). Rigid (abbreviated as RPVC), Chlorinated (abbreviated as CPVC) Polyvinyl Chloride and Flexible (abbreviated as FPVC) Polyvinyl Chloride. The outstanding quality of CPVC is its ability to withstand extreme temperatures. It can be used as hot water tubing. RPVC and CPVC have high hardness physical properties and are popular as pipe for construction since they are wear resistant and long-lasting. CPVC also has high temperature properties and FPVC has elasticity properties. RPVC is used in Tubing, Pipe and in Profile applications, CPVC is used in Tubing and Pipe applications and FPVC is used in Tubing and Profile applications. PVC is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer.

Polystyrene

Polystyrene is a plastic material used to make a variety of products for many applications and Industries. We work with two types, Crystal Polystyrene (PS) and High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS). As tubing, it can be used in many industries including medical tubing or food production. It is often used for Swab Sticks, Tubing, Medical Packaging and Profiles.

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)

TPUs properties include abrasion resistance, high strength, good elasticity, transparency and oil and grease resistance. It is often used for tubing and hose. Polyurethane combines the best qualities of plastic and rubber with tear resistance and high tensile and bend strength. It has excellent weathering capabilities and exceptional resistance to petroleum products.

Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE)

TPEs show advantages typical of both rubbery materials and plastic materials. One Type of TPE is Hytrel its mechanical and physical properties are exceptional toughness and resilience, high resistance to creep, impact and flex fatigue, flexibility at low temperatures and good retention of properties at elevated temperatures. It is often used for plastic coating.

Engineered Thermoplastics

Engineered Thermoplastics consist of many plastic materials that have better mechanical and/or thermal properties, such has exceptional strength and the ability to be precision shaped, than the more widely used commodity plastics. They have properties unlike normal thermoplastics and offer higher performance for the engineering and designing of tubing. One example of an Engineered Thermoplastic is Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) which is similar to, but stronger than, Polystyrene. ABS is very tough and impact resistant. Its styrene content gives it a shiny tough surface as well as excellent toughness at low temperatures. Some of the physical properties are high impact resistance and toughness. It is widely used for tubing and profiles.

Recycled Plastic Tubing

Producers have been recycling plastic for years since it provides a stable proven material. By mixing recycled plastic with new plastic, pipe and tubing have the same strength and durability to provide excellent performance.

Other Material Information

• Recycled
• UV Inhibitors
• Engineering Grade
• Prime
• FDA & NSF Certified
• Other Additives

Functional Attributes That Influence Resin Choice

Different extrusion projects require specific mechanical or environmental characteristics. Some applications prioritize flexibility, while others demand rigidity or resistance to chemicals, abrasion, or temperature fluctuations. Additives can further modify performance by improving UV stability, enhancing color retention, or increasing surface hardness. Understanding these functional attributes helps align each resin with the intended operating environment.

Material Enhancements and Specialized Formulations

Extrusion materials can be tailored through additives and modifiers to meet specific requirements. UV inhibitors improve outdoor durability, while engineering grade blends enhance strength or heat resistance. FDA and NSF compliant formulations support food contact applications. Recycled content can be incorporated when sustainability or cost considerations are priorities. These enhancements allow the same base resin to serve multiple industries with different performance expectations.

FAQ

What Determines Whether a Resin Is Suitable for Extrusion?

A resin must exhibit stable melt flow, predictable cooling behavior, and compatibility with continuous processing to perform well in extrusion.

How Do Additives Affect Extruded Material Performance?

Additives can improve UV resistance, color stability, surface hardness, or chemical durability, depending on the application’s requirements.

Are Flexible and Rigid Materials Processed Differently During Extrusion?

Yes. Flexible materials often require different cooling rates and die designs compared to rigid materials to maintain dimensional accuracy.

Can Recycled Materials Be Used Without Affecting Strength?

Recycled resins can be blended with virgin materials to maintain consistent mechanical performance while supporting sustainability goals.