Thermoplastic Material Solutions
Manufacturer · Supplier · Fabricator
We supply thermoplastic sheet, rod, tube, and film in grades from PEEK and PTFE to HDPE, LDPE, and ABS, and we fabricate finished parts from these materials to customer drawings and specifications. Whether you need a single sheet of a specialty plastic or a recurring supply of industrial thermoplastic stock, our team is ready to help!
FIND YOUR THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL
Jump to the thermoplastic tier that fits your requirements, or browse by specific material below.
Not sure which material fits your requirements? Our Thermoplastic Material Selection Guide walks through the key decision points by temperature, chemical environment, and mechanical load.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE THERMOPLASTICS
HIGH-PERFORMANCE PLASTICS FOR THE MOST DEMANDING APPLICATIONS
High-performance thermoplastics are specified for the most demanding thermal, chemical, and mechanical environments. These materials maintain their properties at elevated temperatures and under chemical exposure conditions that would degrade standard engineered or commodity plastics. They are used in aerospace, oil and gas, medical device manufacturing, and industrial electrical insulation settings where material failure is not an acceptable outcome.
COMMON APPLICATIONS USING HIGH-PERFORMANCE THERMOPLASTICS
- Aerospace
- Oil & Gas
- Medical & Healthcare
- Food Service
- Electronics
OUR HIGH-PERFORMANCE THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS
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PEEK®
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is one of the highest-performing thermoplastics available, offering a combination of thermal resistance, chemical inertness, and mechanical strength that makes it a practical substitute for metal in demanding environments. PEEK maintains its properties at continuous service temperatures up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit and resists nearly all organic and inorganic chemicals.
As an industrial PEEK supplier, we supply PEEK in sheet, rod, and tube stock in unfilled and filled grades, including glass-filled and carbon-filled variants. PEEK is biocompatible and meets FDA requirements, making it a common choice for medical device components as well as aerospace structural and fluid handling parts.
Benefits of PEEK
- Withstands Very High Temperatures
- Resistant to Aggressive Chemicals
- Superior Mechanical Properties
- Biocompatible
Brands we supply include Tecapeek®, Unitrex®, and Vitrex®
Teflon® (PTFE)
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is a fluoropolymer with the lowest coefficient of friction of any solid thermoplastic, near-total chemical inertness, and outstanding dielectric strength at elevated temperatures. Its hydrophobic surface and non-stick properties make it one of the most widely specified thermoplastics for electrical insulation, fluid handling, and food contact environments.
As an industrial PTFE supplier, we supply PTFE in sheet, rod, tube, and film formats, including filled grades for enhanced wear performance. PTFE is rated for continuous service up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and is compatible with virtually all industrial chemicals.
Benefits of PTFE
- Hydrophobic
- Low Surface Friction
- Chemically Inert
- Excellent Insulating Properties
Brands we supply include Rulon® and Fluorosint®
Ultem® (PEI)
ULTEM (Polyetherimide, or PEI) delivers high impact and tensile strength with exceptional dielectric properties, making it a reliable choice for electrical connectors, circuit board components, and structural parts in high-heat environments. ULTEM carries a UL 94 V-0 flame rating and maintains dimensional stability across a wide temperature range.
As an industrial ULTEM supplier, we supply ULTEM in sheet and rod stock in standard and glass-filled grades. Its combination of processability, thermal performance, and electrical properties makes it one of the most practical high-performance thermoplastics for electrical and aerospace use.
Benefits of PEI
- High Temperature Resistance
- Very High Dielectric Strength
- Great Dimensional Stability
- Easy to Process
Brands we supply include Tempalux®, Hydel®, and Tecapei®
Ryton® (PPS)
PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide), commonly known by the brand name Ryton, is a naturally flame-resistant high-performance thermoplastic that operates continuously at elevated temperatures while maintaining excellent dimensional stability and creep resistance. It is specified in electrical components, pump and valve parts, and industrial equipment where both high heat and chemical resistance are required simultaneously.
PPS is a naturally flame-resistant thermoplastic operating at extremely high temperatures. PPS exhibits high creep resistance and dimensional stability.
Benefits of PPS
- Withstands Very High Temperatures
- Excellent Dimensional Stability
- Flame-retardant
- Wear Resistant
Brands we supply include Nemcon®, Tecatron®, and Xytron®
Torlon® (PAI)
PAI (Polyamide-Imide), commonly known by the brand name Torlon, offers the highest strength and stiffness of any thermoplastic at elevated temperatures. It maintains structural integrity under sustained compressive and tensile loads at temperatures that cause other high-performance thermoplastics to creep or degrade. PAI is specified for precision mechanical components such as bearings, bushings, and structural parts in aerospace and defense environments where no compromise on performance is acceptable.
Exhibiting superior strength of stiffness, PAI offers creep resistance and an exceptionally low coefficient of linear expansion.
Benefits of PAI
- Withstands Very High Temperatures
- Resistant to Aggressive Chemicals
- Superior Strength in High Temperatures
- Easy to Process
Brands we supply include Tecapai® and Duratron®
Contact us today to learn more about high-performance or imidized thermoplastic materials from The Gund Company, or request a quote for your application!
ENGINEERED THERMOPLASTICS
THERMOPLASTICS THAT EXCEED THE CAPABILITY OF COMMODITY THERMOPLASTICS
Engineered thermoplastics are used in environments that require better mechanical strength, chemical resistance, or temperature performance than commodity plastics can provide, without the cost premium of high-performance grades. We supply a full range of engineered thermoplastics in sheet, rod, and tube stock for industrial OEM and MRO customers.
COMMON APPLICATIONS USING ENGINEERED THERMOPLASTICS
- Automotive
- Medical & Healthcare
- Textiles
- Electronics
- Cookware
- Bearings & Springs
- Valves
OUR ENGINEERED THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS
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Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is a transparent thermoplastic with high impact resistance, good optical clarity, and reliable electrical insulating properties. It is used in electrical enclosures, machine guards, lighting covers, and structural glazing where a combination of transparency and toughness is required.
The material is highly transparent, offers good optical properties, and offers superior mechanical stability at higher temperatures. As a Polycarbonate supplier, we stock Polycarbonate sheet in standard and UV-stabilized grades.
Benefits of Polycarbonates
- Heat Resistant
- UV Resistant
- Impact resistant
- Electrically Insulating
Brands we supply include Lexan®, Makrolon, Zelux, Macrafol, and Palsun
UHMW
UHMW Polyethylene is a high-density polyethylene grade with exceptional wear resistance, impact strength, and a low coefficient of friction. It is one of the most abrasion-resistant thermoplastics available, commonly used in conveyor components, wear liners, cutting boards, and marine dock components.
As an industrial UHMW Polyethylene supplier, we stock UHMW-PE in sheet, rod, and tube formats. Its self-lubricating surface makes it a practical replacement for metal in wear and sliding contact environments.
Benefits of Polycarbonates
- Chemically Resistant
- Low Coefficient of Friction
- Extremely Tough
- Superior Impact Strength
Acetal®
Acetal (POM) is a high-stiffness, low-friction engineering plastic frequently machined into precision components such as gears, bushings, and valve parts. It machines to tight tolerances and absorbs very little moisture, making it one of the most reliable engineered thermoplastics for close-tolerance mechanical components.
Acetal exhibits high strength and stiffness. It can be machined to tight tolerances and offers low moisture absorption, making acetal a common alternative to metals.
Benefits of Acetal®
- Excellent Wear Properties
- Tight Tolerance Machining
- Low Coefficient of Friction
- Moisture Resistant
Brands we supply include Delrin, Acetron®, Semitron®, Duracon®, Ultraform, Pomalux®, and Celcon®
Nylon
Nylon is a durable, lightweight engineered thermoplastic with high abrasion resistance and good chemical resistance. It is widely used in structural and mechanical components, particularly in outdoor environments where UV and moisture resistance are required.
Nylon exhibits high strength and durability. It is lightweight, chemically resistant, and exhibits quick-drying properties making it ideal for outdoor applications.
Benefits of Acetal®
- Chemically Resistant
- Quick Drying
- Lightweight
- Abrasion Resistant
Brands we supply include Nycast®, Nylatron®, Zytel®, and Vydyne®
Contact us today to learn more about engineered thermoplastic materials from The Gund Company, or request a quote for your application!
COMMODITY THERMOPLASTICS
COST-EFFECTIVE MATERIAL OPTIONS FOR COMMON ENVIRONMENTS
Commodity thermoplastics are the most widely produced and used plastics in the world. They are cost-effective choices for environments where the mechanical strength or temperature resistance of engineered or high-performance grades is not required. We stock a broad range of commodity thermoplastics in sheet, rod, tube, and film formats for industrial OEM and MRO customers.
COMMON APPLICATIONS USING COMMODITY THERMOPLASTICS
- Textiles
- Automotive
- Toys
- Housewares
- Packaging
- Containers
- Electronics
- Construction
- Medical Applications
OUR COMMODITY THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS
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Polypropylene
Polypropylene is an electrically insulating thermoplastic with superior flexural strength, high chemical resistance, and excellent moisture resistance. It is one of the most chemically resistant commodity thermoplastics available, used in tanks, vessels, piping, and industrial containers that must withstand repeated exposure to acids, bases, and solvents.
As a Polypropylene supplier, we supply Polypropylene in homopolymer and copolymer grades in sheet and rod formats.
Benefits of Polypropylene
- Electrically Insulating
- High Flexural Strength
- Chemically Resistant
- Pressure and Heat Resistant
HDPE
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) is a lightweight, chemically resistant thermoplastic with low moisture absorption and high machinability. It is commonly used in cutting boards, prosthetic components, chemical storage containers, and industrial wear parts.
HDPE is a lightweight, chemically and corrosion-resistant thermoplastic with low-moisture absorption. HDPE is great in prosthetic and liquid storage applications.
Benefits of HDPE
- High Machinability
- Recyclable
- Chemically Resistant
- Low Moisture Absorption
Brands we supply include Hitec®, Polycarve®, Paxon®, and Sanatec®
LDPE
LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) is a flexible, lightweight thermoplastic with good chemical resistance and low moisture absorption. Unlike HDPE, LDPE retains flexibility at room temperature, making it the preferred polyethylene grade for film, lining, and low-load structural uses where compliance is more important than rigidity.
As an industrial LDPE supplier, we supply LDPE in sheet and film formats for industrial and packaging-related customers.
Benefits of LDPE
- Flexible
- Recyclable
- Chemically Resistant
- Low Moisture Absorption
ABS
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is an FDA-compliant commodity thermoplastic with higher impact strength and chemical resistance than most other commodity grades. It machines cleanly, bonds well with adhesives, and is electrically insulating, making it a practical choice for electrical enclosures, housings, and structural components.
ABS offers high strength, chemical resistance, and toughness compared to other commodity thermoplastics.
Benefits of ABS
- Easy to Process
- Good Adhesion Properties
- Electrically Insulating
Brands we supply include Korad®, Cycolac®, and Absylux®
Acrylic (PMMA)
Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate, or PMMA) is a transparent thermoplastic with excellent optical clarity, UV stability, and surface hardness. It offers comparable light transmission to glass at a fraction of the weight, making it a practical choice for machine guards, display cases, signage, and lighting covers where optical performance is required at a lower cost than polycarbonate.
Acrylic exhibits good optical properties, UV stability, and impact strength at a lower cost when compared to alternatives in similar applications.
Benefits of PMMA
- Shatterproof
- Scratch-resistant
- Highly-transparent
Brands we supply include Plexiglas®, Diakon®, Duraplex®, and Optix®
PVC-CPVC
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) are flame-retardant, weather-resistant thermoplastics widely used in plumbing, electrical conduit, and medical device components. CPVC extends the temperature and chemical resistance range of standard PVC, making it the preferred grade for hot water distribution systems and more aggressive chemical handling environments.
Flame-retardant and weather-resistant, PVC is a lightweight and durable thermoplastic used in plumbing, wiring, and medical applications.
Benefits of PVC
- High Toughness
- Recyclable
- Electrically Insulating
- High Durability
We supply Kydex® brand PVC
Contact us today to learn more about commodity thermoplastic materials from The Gund Company, or request a quote for your application!
AMORPHOUS VS SEMI-CYRSTALLINE THERMOPLASTICS
Choosing the right thermoplastic grade often comes down to understanding whether a material is amorphous or semi-crystalline, as this structural difference directly affects how a material processes, performs, and behaves in service.
AMORPHOUS THERMOPLASTICS
In amorphous thermoplastics, the polymer chains are randomly arranged without ordered regions. This causes them to soften gradually over a range of temperatures rather than at a sharp melting point, which makes them easier to thermoform and more compatible with adhesive bonding. Amorphous grades typically offer better optical clarity and dimensional stability under load, but they show lower chemical resistance and are more prone to stress cracking than semi-crystalline grades. Common amorphous thermoplastics include Polycarbonate, ULTEM, ABS, and Noryl PPO.
SEMI-CRYSTALLINE THERMOPLASTICS
In semi-crystalline thermoplastics, polymer chains organize into structured, ordered regions during cooling. This gives them a sharp melting point, better chemical resistance, a lower coefficient of friction, and better fatigue and wear performance. Semi-crystalline thermoplastics are preferred for wear and bearing environments, though they are more difficult to thermoform and bond. Common semi-crystalline thermoplastics include PEEK, PTFE, PVDF, HDPE, LDPE, and Polypropylene.
Knowing which category a material falls into helps narrow the right grade for your specific requirements. Our team can review your requirements and recommend the most appropriate grade.
Check out our in-depth guide on selecting the right thermoplastic for your application!
THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL FORMS AND FABRICATION
Thermoplastic materials are available in multiple stock forms, and the right form depends on the manufacturing method and end use of the finished part. Understanding what is available helps determine the most direct path from raw material to finished component.
Most thermoplastic sheet and film stock is produced through an extrusion process, in which melted material is forced through a die to create a consistent cross-section. Some specialty grades are produced through a casting process, which can achieve tighter thickness tolerances and better optical properties in certain materials.
Sheet stock can be converted into formed parts using thermoforming, vacuum forming, or cold forming. Rod and tube stock can be machined into precision components using standard CNC equipment. For complex geometries that cannot be achieved through machining, thermoplastics can also be injection molded.
We supply thermoplastics in sheet, rod, tube, and film formats and fabricate finished components from these materials to customer specifications at our facilities. Whether you need raw stock or a finished machined part, our team can support both.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The classification reflects the performance level and typical cost. High-performance thermoplastics such as PEEK, PTFE, and ULTEM are specified for extreme temperature, chemical, or mechanical environments. Engineered thermoplastics such as Polycarbonate, UHMW-PE, and Noryl PPO are used where standard commodity grades cannot meet the mechanical or temperature requirements. Commodity thermoplastics such as HDPE, LDPE, and Polypropylene are cost-effective choices for environments where exceptional properties are not required.
Yes, in many situations PEEK is used to replace aluminum and other metals, particularly in aerospace and medical device components. PEEK offers a competitive strength-to-weight ratio, resists corrosion entirely, and can be machined to tight tolerances. The decision to substitute PEEK for metal depends on the operating temperature, load requirements, and cost constraints of the specific part.
Both are fluoropolymers with excellent chemical resistance, but they serve different needs. PTFE has a broader chemical resistance profile and a higher service temperature, making it the first choice for the most aggressive chemical environments. PVDF has better mechanical strength and abrasion resistance than PTFE and is preferred in situations where the part must also carry load or resist wear in addition to chemical exposure.
ULTEM (PEI) is rated for continuous service up to approximately 340 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Celsius). It retains its mechanical and electrical properties across this range and carries a UL 94 V-0 flame rating. For requirements above this temperature, PEEK or PBI are the more appropriate grades to consider.
Yes. UHMW-PE is FDA-compliant and one of the most widely used thermoplastics for food processing equipment, particularly for cutting surfaces, conveyor components, and food contact wear parts. Its low surface friction and ease of cleaning make it well-established in food and beverage manufacturing environments.
Stock availability for specialty high-performance thermoplastics varies. PEEK, PTFE, and ULTEM are stocked regularly. PVDF, RADEL R, and PBI availability depends on form and thickness. Contact our team with your specific material, form, and dimensional requirements and we will confirm current stock or lead time.
HDPE and LDPE are both polyethylene grades, but they have meaningfully different physical properties. HDPE is rigid, strong, and impact-resistant, making it suitable for structural and wear parts. LDPE is flexible and compliant, making it better suited for film, lining, and packaging uses where stiffness would be a disadvantage.
Yes. We machine thermoplastic sheet, rod, and tube into finished components at our fabrication facilities using CNC equipment, working directly from customer drawings and specifications. Contact us with your print or dimensional requirements for a quote.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Ready to source industrial thermoplastic materials or request a quote on fabricated components? Our team can confirm stock availability, recommend the right grade, and turn around a quote quickly.
Contact us today to learn more about thermoplastic materials from The Gund Company, or request a quote for your application!