Engineering materials revision

Steel and plastics

Low carbon steel 0.07-0.15%

Automobile body parts and wire products, rolling sheets, rivets, nails, chains

Mild carbon steel 0.15-0.3%

Structural steels used in building and fabrication

Medium carbon steel 0.3-0.6%

Automotive components and forgings, including shafts, axles, gears and crankshafts

high carbon steel 0.6-1.25%

High strength spring materials and wires, cutting tools, files, drills, punches, dies and industrial knives

Ultra high carbon steel 1.25-2%

Highly tempered non-industrial-purpose knives, punches and axles

Polyvinyl chloride properties

corrosion and weather resistant, high strength-to-weight ratio, good electrical and thermal insulator

Polyvinyl chloride uses

automobile parts, electronic and electrical equipment, water/waste drainage pipes and furniture

Polyethylene types

semi-rigid (LDPE), flexible (HDPE)

Polyethylene properties

translucent, very tough, weatherproof, good chemical resistance, low water absorption, easily processed by most methods, low cost

Polyethylene uses

squeeze bottles, carrier bags, chemical tank linings, chemical drums, toys, general packaging, gas and water pipes, cable insulation

ABS properties

good balance of properties, toughness, strength and temperature resistance, mouldable, high quality scratch and wear resistant surface finish, rigid

ABS uses

automotive body parts, household electronics and electrical appliances and business equipment

Polypropylene properties

Properties: one of the most versatile polymers; semi-rigid, translucent, good resistance to chemicals, heat and fatigue, tough, integral hinge property

Polypropylene uses

lab equipment, electronics and automobile products, buckets, bowls, crates, toys, medical components, bottle caps, carpet fibres, sports clothes

Polylactic acid properties

low melting point, high strength, good layer adhesion, poor heat resistance, shiny and transparent, high grease and oil resistance

Polylactic acid uses

automobile interiors and medical implants (screws, plates, pins, rods, mesh)

Nylon properties

tough, good thermal and chemical resistance

Nylon uses

gears, rollers, guides, bearings and wear pads, textiles, fishing lines, film packaging

Lead-tin eutectic composition

62% tin

Iron-carbon eutectic composition

4.3% carbon

Iron-carbon eutectoid composition

0.76% carbon

Steel/cast iron composition

2.14% carbon

Carbon steel maximum composition

6.7%