January 2011

Nylon and Acetal: "Back to Basics"

Nylon and acetal have a proven, successful performance record in a variety of diverse engineering applications, making these two materials the workhorses of the engineering plastics groups. More

Inside this issue

• Plastics in Automotive Wiper Systems
• Technical Advisory
• Test Your Knowledge

January Sponsor

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Expand Your Knowledge

Plastics in Automotive Wiper Systems
Today’s wiper systems must be lightweight, strong and durable and able to withstand sunlight and the harsh substances they encounter in use.

In meeting such stringent requirements, automakers have increasingly turned to engineering thermoplastics to gain the design freedom, performance and reduced weight and cost they need in exterior and underhood wiper components. More

Technical Advisory
• Acetals are attacked by both strong acids and oxidizing agents. In addition, the homopolymer is not recommended for use in strong caustics.

• Acetal copolymer is more resistant to hot water and hot air than the homopolymer.

• Because of the chemical make-up differences, it is not recommended that you substitute one type of acetal for another without discussing it with the customer.

Sustainability of Plastic: Did You Know…
• The raw materials that go into the production of plastics account for only 1.5 percent of total U.S. energy consumption. Plus, it often takes less energy to convert plastics from a raw material into a finished product than comparable products made of other materials.

• Over the lifetime of the average car, plastic parts save 650 gallons of gas as a result of their lighter weight.

• During their life cycle, plastic bags require about one-third less energy to make than paper bags.

More Plastics Resources

Introduction to Plastics, 11th Edition
Just released! The new edition of IAPD’s Introduction to Plastics is an indispensible reference manual for learning about plastics, their properties, how they're made and their applications. It includes the latest versions of the IAPD Plastics Properties Tables and IAPD Plastics Rectangle, excellent tools for selecting the right plastic materials for a project. Order your copy today.

Get to Know Your Distributor
IAPD distributors are your best source for finding materials for your application. Go to www.iapd.org to find a distributor in your area. You can search by company name, location or product category.

The IAPD Magazine
This bi-monthly magazine contains expert-written articles on innovative plastic materials and applications. Each issue focuses on different materials and industries. Subscribe today to stay informed of what’s going on in the plastics distributed plastics market.

International Association of Plastics Distribution
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www.iapd.org | iapd@iapd.org
Phone: +913.345.1005 | Fax: +913.345.1006

Designing with Plastics is published by the International Association of Plastics Distribution. While every effort has been made for accuracy, IAPD encourages you to verify information with a plastics distributor to ensure you select the correct plastic products to meet your needs.