Environmental Considerations
Thermoformed plastic parts encounter a wide variety of chemicals both during manufacturing and in the end user environment, including cutting oils, degreasers, lubricants, cleaning solvents, printing dyes, paints, adhesives, cooking greases and automotive fluids. Make sure that these chemicals are compatible with your selected materials and final parts.
Temperature, moisture and exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation affect plastic part properties and appearance. The environment of the end user of a product should determine the type of weather resistance required.
Additionally, heat gain from exposure of a dark surface to sunlight may raise the upper temperature requirement considerably higher than maximum expected temperatures.
Conversely, your requirements may be less severe if your part is exposed to weather elements only occasionally.
To learn more about environmental considerations in the use of thermoplastics, refer to the Environmental Properties chapter of the Bayer Material Selection Guide (registration required).
