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Selecting the best thermoplastic resin requires that you first determine how it is being used, where it will be used (environment) and your cost constraints. Below are brief descriptions of some of the thermoplastic resins available for tubing. ABS ABS is a rigid versatile high impact plastic. It is good for tubing and profile applications where outdoor properties are not required. ABS has a satin finish and is available in natural (amber, off white), stock or custom colors. Cost is mid-point between engineering and commodity grades. . FLUOROPOLYMER Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) is a tough, flexible, heat and chemical resistant material used in demanding applications. HIPS (Styrene) HIPS is a rigid, economical, light-weight plastic which is good for tubing and profiles. HIPS typically has a flat finish and is available in natural (translucent white), stock or custom colors. . POLYETHYLENE . LDPE-Low Density LLDPE-Linear Low MDPE-Medium.Density HDPE-High.Density . Polyethylene tubing ranges from flexible (LDPE) to semi-rigid (HDPE). It is a very economical material which is good for tubing. It is available in FDA and in industrial grades. It has good chemical resistance, and by adding UV stabilizers, it has good outdoor properties. Available in natural (translucent white), stock and custom colors. For flexible water and air lines where barbed fittings are used, LLDPE is preferred because it has better resistance to environmental stress cracking. . POLYPROPYLENE Polypropylene tubing (PP) is a semi-rigid, light weight, economical plastic. It has excellent chemical resistance and fairly high service temperature. PP is available in natural (translucent white), stock and custom colors. PP is also available in FDA grades. May be used outdoors by adding carbon black and UV stabilizers. PP is available in two grades. . Homopolvmer - Economical, rigid, high service temperatures. . Co-Polymer - Impact modified to improve toughness, especially in colder temperatures. . PETG PETG is a rigid, clear and tough material which may be used for tubing or profiles. It is FDA approved for contact with food and potable water. It is used extensively as packaging and although not considered an outdoor UV resistant plastic, it is used extensively as bird feeder tubes. PETG is a moderately priced plastic. . POLYCARBONATE Polycarbonate is a clear engineering thermoplastic which has an excellent balance of toughness, clarity, and high heat deflection temperature. It may be used for tubing and profiles. Our stock polycarbonate is UV stable. However, it is available in FDA grades. Polycarbonate should not be used in high temperature and humidity and it is sensitive to certain chemicals and solvents. Typically used clear, however it may be custom colored. . BUTYRATE/PROPIONATE Butyrate, propionate, and acetate are cellulosics. They are clear, rigid thermoplastics. With a UV stabilizer they are used extensively in lighting and outdoor applications. They may be used for tubing and profile applications. They may be colored and will yield a very glossy, attractive part. . NYLON Nylon is available in flexible, semi-rigid or rigid grades. These are tough, chemical resistant plastics with high heat deflection temperature. Some grades are flexible and are excellent for tubing that sees higher temperatures and pressures. . POLYURETHANE Polyurethane tubing (TPU) is a flexible, very tough, abrasion and cut resistant plastic. Can be used for tubing and profiles. It is available in natural (transparent amber cast), stock or custom colors. It is available in hardnesses from flexible to semi-rigid. There are two types of TPUs: . Polyester based TPU - Better physical characteristics and resistant to fuels and oils. . Polyether based TPU - Better for use with water or high humidity. . RIGID VINYL Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride (RPVC) is an excellent, all-around rigid material. It is a moderately priced material that may be used for tubing or profiles. It is available in clear, or colored, and in FDA or outdoor grades. . FLEXIBLE VINYL Flexible Polyvinyl Chloride (FPVC) is a versatile material ranging from soft, flexible to semi-rigid, and may be used for tubing or profiles. It is available in industrial or FDA grades, clear or in opaque colors. FPVC in opaque colors has good outdoor properties. .