The key factors for proper plastic selection include:
- Operating temperature in relation to the material's melting point (Tm) and glass transition temperature (Tg)
- Mechanical stresses such as strength, creep, stress relaxation, stiffness, impact resistance, and fatigue resistance
- Environmental exposures such as chemical resistance, wear resistance, dimensional stability, and flammability
- Manufacturing considerations such as the production process
Proper material selection requires evaluating all these factors based on the design requirements and intended use of the plastic part. Failure to consider all relevant properties could lead to premature part failure.