While most plastics can be classified as any of the 3 grades listed in the table below, it is important to note that the primary determination for which material you need should not depend upon grade but upon the requirements of each individual application. Some higher-grade materials may be well-suited to more standard uses and (in rare cases) vice versa. DEFINITIONS Compression Strength—The maximum stress a material can sustain under crush loading. Flexural Strength—The ability to resist deformation under load. It is also referred to as bend strength or fracture strength.	Impact Strength—The amount of impact a material can withstand without cracking. Maximum Temperature—The maximum ambient service temperature (in air) that a material can withstand while retaining at least 50% of its initial properties after long-term service (approximately 10 years). Most thermoplastics can withstand short-term exposure to higher temperatures without significant deterioration. Tensile Strength—The amount of pulling force a material can withstand without breaking.
PLASTIC COMPARISON CHART