Jul. 28, 2025
At a glance
Engineering plastics constitute a very broad world, and sometimes finding exactly what is needed on the web is rather challenging. There is such a big number of materials, specifications, and suppliers that choosing the right product for your application will be very important. But don't be afraid! Purchasing engineering plastics online needn't be a stressful process. After applying an appropriate approach and some useful tips, you will get through the buying process with ease and receive exactly the material you need at your doorstep.
At ePol, we have been able to perfect the online portal so that it becomes easy for you to find the best plastics, whatever shape you are looking for: sheets or rods. This guide will take you through an overview of how to locate and purchase the correct engineering plastics online so your project can be smooth from start to finish.
READ MORE: What should be considered when purchasing either Rod or Sheet PET engineering plastic?
Before you delve into an endless list of products, you need to be very clear about your project's requirements. For what purpose is the plastic needed? Is it for structural support, insulation, or to generally withstand harsh chemicals and high temperatures? Identifying its purpose and the environment in which your plastic will be used is a critical first step.
For example, for a project requiring outdoor use, you may need material that has UV resistance. If you're looking for something lightweight and durable for an automotive part, polycarbonate or nylon could be the right choice. By knowing exactly what you need from the outset, you may limit your inquiry to very specific materials.
Material properties are the basis upon which selection of engineering plastics should be done. Various plastics are made for different characteristics, and each has its application. Is the application requiring high tensile strength, chemical resistance, or high heat tolerance? Knowing these key properties is paramount in making an informed decision.
Take PTFE, better known as Teflon, as an example. This material is highly chemical-resistant and really non-sticky-in fact, perfect for seals or gaskets. HDPE is very strong and resistant to impact, hence perfectly suitable for outdoor use or applications needing heavy-duty performance. So, in this case, you match the properties of the material with what the project demands; then you can confidently select the right plastic.
Once you have it down to a few options, consider the form of the material that works best for your application. Do you need sheets, rods, tubes, or something custom cut to specific dimensions? At ePol, we stock a wide variety of forms to meet any project demands. Choosing the right size and thickness can save you lots of time and avoid unnecessary waste.
Whether you require large sheets for a bigger production run or precise rods for a specialised component, make sure you fully understand the required dimensions and thickness for your project. Often, you can source a supplier such as ePol that offers custom-cutting services, ensuring your materials arrive exactly how you need them.
Time is a critical factor when one wants to buy engineering plastics online. Instead of wasting too much time scrolling through product pages, advanced search filters can be employed on most online platforms, such as those provided by the ePol portal. Advanced filters enable the sorting of results based on material type, size, price range, and other criteria for fast identification of the desired products.
You can even filter by brand or specifications, such as thickness or diameter, if you know exactly what you are after. This is a pretty useful tool when you are on deadline, trying to get the right materials without chancing upon wasting any time.
Stock availability is a common issue with many plastic suppliers. There’s nothing worse than placing an order only to find out the material is out of stock and on backorder. At ePol, we offer live stock availability, meaning you can see what’s in stock as you browse. It will enable us to provide real-time information to avoid delays and ensure that your order is not only processed but shipped without any unnecessary hiccups.
The real-time stock updates are gold for companies working around tight schedules. You can schedule knowing the material you need is available and ready to ship.
Once you've sifted through your options, it's time to compare the product specifications of each. You'll move into the detailed properties of the materials you feel you could work with, involving mechanical properties. At ePol, for instance, our product listings carry detailed specifications, enabling you to look at variables like strength, temperature resistance, and chemical compatibility.
If you're not sure which material is best, don't be afraid to compare a few choices side by side. By doing so, you'll make sure that the plastic you choose will perform well in its intended application.
Of course, even with volumes of information available online, some questions may still arise. That's where customer support comes in handy: our helpful and friendly team is available to help. Whether you want to seek advice regarding material selection or would like some guidance related to your custom orders, we're just a call or away.
If your project is complicated, or you are entering new territory, then don't hesitate to get in touch. A word with an expert will prevent expensive mistakes and ensure you get what you need.
Before hitting the “buy” button, take a moment to check product reviews or case studies. These can provide insight into how the material has performed for other customers in real-world applications. At ePol, we share case studies and customer testimonials to help you make informed decisions. Real feedback from businesses similar to yours can be a valuable resource when evaluating product quality and reliability.
While quality is critical, it's not the only factor: be sure to understand pricing. Pricing will vary in regard to a number of factors, including custom sizing, bulk discounts, and special material properties that may exist.
Our prices at ePol are competitive, and we only charge for what you get; no hidden costs. If you're looking to buy frequently, you might want to consider opening a trade account to gain special discounts and offers that will save money over time.
If you are a regular purchaser, establishing a trade account with ePol can realize significant savings. More than just price reductions, trade accounts enable you to take advantage of immediate order processing and end-of-month billing, easing your purchase experience and offering more financial flexibility.
In addition, you may also be entitled to special offers and promotions, as a trade customer, depending on your purchasing trends-an added advantage over supplies from traditional suppliers.
The same as timely delivery is the importance of choosing the right material. Therefore, assure yourself that the supplier has fast and reliable options of shipping suited to your project schedule. At ePol, we offer nationwide shipping, and all orders above $150 exempt of GST go toward free delivery. Our typical dispatch time is 2-5 business days, so you can have an exact idea of when your materials will arrive.
The second thing: always investigate the return and replacement policy with a supplier. Sometimes things can go wrong, and you want to make sure that if something arrives damaged or wrong, there's a course of action to put it right.
Take just a minute before completing your order to double-check that all your selections are correct. Material properties, dimensions, and quantity should reflect those needed for your project. A mistake here can result in delay, so this is time well spent.
Lastly, review the supplier’s return policy. At ePol, we make it easy to return items that are in 100% resalable condition within seven days of receipt. For any damaged or incorrect items, we’ll quickly organise a replacement and handle the claim for you, ensuring minimal disruption to your workflow.
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Finding exactly what you need when buying engineering plastics online doesn’t have to be a complicated process. By knowing your project requirements, using online tools efficiently, and leveraging customer support when needed, you can simplify the buying experience and get the materials you need—fast. With ePol’s comprehensive range, real-time stock updates, and customer-first approach, you can trust that you’re in good hands every step of the way.
So, the next time you’re looking to source engineering plastics online, remember with a little preparation and the right platform, finding the perfect materials is easier than ever.
ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, plastics have become a popular alternative to traditional manufacturing materials like metal, wood, and more. ABS plastics provide durability, strength, and ease of fabrication at a lower overall cost compared to many standard materials.
For manufacturers looking to reduce expenses and improve profit margins, transitioning even partial production to ABS plastics can provide measurable cost reductions. This guide will cover the key benefits of ABS plastics and provide a price comparison to help you determine if switching from traditional materials to ABS could benefit your bottom line.
Before analyzing the pricing and fabrication benefits of ABS plastics, it helps to understand the landscape of materials that manufacturers typically rely on:
Many manufacturers gravitate towards these traditional materials simply because that's what they've always used. However, transitioning to ABS plastics could provide better performance at lower overall part production costs.
ABS plastics have distinct advantages that make them suitable for widespread manufacturing and production applications:
Properly formulated ABS materials are highly durable, resisting cracking and deforming over years of use.Yield strength and tensile strength properties allow ABS to withstand high loads and forces. ABS demonstrates high impact resistance as well, absorbing shocks and impacts much better than materials like glass or brittle plastics.
ABS plastics have a density around 1.05 g/cm^3, which translates to weight savings compared to metals like steel and aluminum. Redesigning parts to use lightweight yet strong ABS can benefit industries where reducing mass is critical, like automotive and aerospace.
The composition of ABS materials reduces the likelihood of fracturing, shattering, or splintering when exposed to impacts. Objects made from ABS plastics can better handle drops, shocks, vibrations, and load forces compared to glass, wood, and thin sheet metals.
The thermoplastic properties of ABS allow it to be injection molded into complex, highly-detailed shapes with tighter tolerances versus traditional machining methods. Intricate shapes, undercuts, thin walls, and precision features can be replicated consistently.
Now that we've covered the inherent benefits of ABS plastics, let's examine how switching to ABS for manufacturing and fabrication can lower your overall production costs.
Injection molding allows ABS plastic resins to be formed into intricate, complex parts with speed and precision. Most other materials require extensive CNC machining or carving to achieve detailed shapes. The injection molding process substantially reduces fabrication expenses by streamlining production.
Since injection molded ABS parts can be produced to high tolerances with smooth surfaces, they require less post-molding machining and finishing than typical manufacturing materials. Less grinding, sanding, polishing and finishing steps translate directly to cost savings on labor, tooling, and time.
Compared to subtractive fabrication of materials like metal and wood, injecting molding ABS creates complex parts in mere minutes or hours rather than days. There are also virtually no material scrap or waste expenses. Efficient injection techniques and ABS' recyclability minimize environmental impact.
One case study from Major Car Company X displayed the significant cost benefits of shifting from aluminum alloy to ABS plastic for interior trim components. By transitioning to ABS, they reduced part fabrication time from 1 hour down to 7 minutes while achieving tighter tolerances. Scrap waste declined 75% as well. Overall, Company X realized a 28% drop in manufacturing costs after switching to ABS plastics.
To determine if shifting your production lines to ABS plastics makes financial sense, it helps to review pricing studies and cost data comparisons:
A study published in Manufacturing Journal compared the total part production prices for a high-volume automotive part between aluminum and ABS plastics. Results showed ABS plastic part fabrication pricing was approximately 40% lower per part. Net shaping via injection molding was 80% faster than CNC machining the aluminum.
According to analysis by the International Society for Plastics Engineers, ABS and other engineering thermoplastics provide substantial cost benefits over machining steel, stainless steel, and other metals. The study cited 60-90% reductions in fabrication time and 50-75% lower part costs with ABS plastics.
For manufacturers that traditionally relied on metal materials, switching entirely to ABS may not make sense initially. A balanced approach of using ABS for select component parts that benefit the most from plastic properties can maximize cost savings. Prioritize high complexity, detailed, or lightweight parts for first steps.
Hopefully the case for adopting ABS plastics into your manufacturing process is clear. Here are some tips to smooth your transition:
Reliable ABS plastic suppliers are key when switching materials. Look for:
As technology improves, expect additive manufacturing to complement injection molding for ABS plastics. Multi-material 3D printing will enable complex ABS parts at relatively low costs. Automation will also streamline finishing steps more and more for plastics.
Transitioning to ABS plastics for all or even partial production lines can provide measurable cost reductions for manufacturers while maintaining quality. Sourcing custom formulated and engineered ABS materials from trusted suppliers gives you the best chance at maximizing benefits over traditional metal, wood and glass materials.
The slew of research and analyses focused on ABS plastics verifies significant decreases in overall fabrication pricing when compared to incumbent materials. Durable ABS plastic parts can be produced faster, with less waste, and tighter tolerances through injection molding. Combined with finishing automation, ABS unlocks major savings.
This guide aimed to spotlight the financial upsides and price comparisons that highlight why evaluating a switch to ABS plastics could be advantageous. Just remember to take an incremental approach, enlist supplier expertise, and focus on high potential components first when getting started. Follow these tips to make your road to improved profit margins through ABS plastics smoother.
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