selecting polymer properties for specific applications
this at-a-glace guide provides a quick overview of polymer properties and application capabilities of dupont performance polymers. we offer hundreds of products and thousands of grades, backed by local resources in 65 countries.
dupont collaborates with oem parts manufacturers and product designers to help match polymer properties with the process and performance needs of their specific applications.
polymer formulation expertise
dupont has a long and successful history of combining polymers with a variety of additives, reinforcements, modifiers and dye pigments that fulfill many different application needs. the primary drivers in polymer formulation are typically higher performance and lower cost; however, renewably sourced content is becoming increasingly important, especially in consumer goods. whatever the need, dupont scientists understand how materials will interact at a molecular level, so they can optimize material properties desired by customers for their applications.
this enables us to help create market-driven applications for industries, including:
wide range of properties and applications
dupont performance polymers offers products and grades spanning a broad range of mechanical, thermal, chemical and electrical properties. for example, dupont™ hytrel® thermoplastic polyester elastomers are ideal for parts requiring excellent flex fatigue and broad use temperature. hytrel® resists tearing, flex-cut growth, and abrasion. dupont™ crastin® polybutylene terephthalate (pbt) resin provides excellent stiffness, moisture resistance and good heat resistance, making it particularly well-suited for lighting bezels, connectors, relays switches and water valves. delrin® provides excellent stiffness and creep resistance without reinforcement and makes an excellent choice for many automotive systems as well as office automation and sports gear. for all-around versatility, zytel® nylon resin is resistant to oil, grease, fatigue and friction. with ease of processing and balanced properties, zytel® is used in a wide range of applications. for more challenging conditions, zytel® htn delivers consistent performance in heat conditions up to 133c and has superior resistance to moisture and chemicals.
serving the food and medical industries
in addition, dupont also offers a range of materials that are compliant for the demanding requirements of food contact and certain medical device usage. the food grade portfolio (fg) meets a range of applications including food and beverage processing equipment, food packaging and household appliances. several grades of zytel® are frequently chosen for their durable mechanical properties when exposed to heat and moisture.
for medical applications dupont is well equipped to match the appropriate product with the particular medical application. the two material grades, special control (sc) and premium control (pc), are differentiated by a greater degree of testing and manufacturing control. dupont™ delrin® sc699 is an acetal resin with low friction and low wear. specifically developed for precision molded parts for healthcare use, it provides easy device actuation, all with no squeaking or external lubricant.
renewably sourced polymers
in order to reduce utilization of petrochemicals as polymer feedstock and help provide more sustainable solutions, dupont is developing a new class of biopolymers made using renewable non-food plant-based material. for instance, the dupont™ zytel® rs nylon resin product family includes pa1010 and lcpa, which are both 20-100% renewably sourced, and pa610 which is 20-63% renewably sourced. the renewable content comes from sebacic acid, which is derived from castor oil, one of the most versatile, non-food-competing natural products. hytrel® rs offers comparable performance to standard grades of hytrel®. and with ongoing research and development, new grades of hytrel® rs are being introduced to satisfy the increasing demand for renewable materials in specific applications.
global knowledge, local experts
dupont has local resources in 65 countries and global innovation centers in asia, europe and the americas. so we are uniquely positioned to provide knowledge and experience in order to be responsive to different customers, markets and applications.