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Wide spec or off-spec resins are byproducts of virgin plastic production that fall outside the specified parameters. They don’t meet the criteria for prime plastic products and are typically purchased by suppliers, compounders, and others in the industry. These resins might be damaged due to heat exposure or other factors, resulting in altered physical and chemical properties. Despite this, they still hold value and can be used in various applications. Suppliers often sell these resins to OEMs of plastic product manufacturers at a discount compared to the price of prime virgin plastic. This post will explore the types, properties, applications, and more about wide spec resins.
### What Are Wide Spec Resins?
Also known as off-grade resins, wide spec resins have broader specifications than the standard range. Depending on the changes in properties like color, mechanical strength, and density, they can be classified as good or bad wide spec. Sometimes, visually, the color may appear different from what’s expected—paler, caramelized, etc. Since they are byproducts of virgin resins, there's no additional cost or time associated with their production.
### Types, Properties, and Applications of Off-Grade Resins
Defining off-grade resins isn’t straightforward since their properties may only slightly deviate from the norm, depending on their type. For instance, types like ABS, acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, and polyurethane can exhibit variations that classify them as wide spec. Below are some common properties of these plastics and the possible deviations that make them wide spec:
#### ABS
- **Standard Properties**: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is an amorphous polymer composed of three monomers—acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. Known for its high impact resistance, it ensures durability and structural stability. It can be easily welded and formed on machines like CNC and 3D printers. ABS also boasts great electrical insulation properties and can handle a wide range of temperatures.
- **Wide Spec**: Changes in color, density, or structural integrity affecting mechanical strength and durability, or improper blending with other thermoplastics, can categorize some ABS resins as wide spec.
- **Applications**: ABS resins find applications in computer peripherals, vehicle interiors, device enclosures, Lego toys, and sockets.
#### Acrylic
- **Standard Properties**: Acrylic provides excellent transparency and optical properties, making it a lightweight alternative to glass in certain applications. It has a higher impact resistance than regular glass and is cost-effective. It can be precision machined and has a decent tensile strength. This material can endure temperatures ranging from -40°C to 80°C, with a relative density of 1.19 g/cm³.
- **Wide Spec**: Wide spec acrylic resins may show some degree of opacity or altered tensile strength based on how they are formed. Density may also vary.
- **Applications**: Acrylic is used for partitions, manifolds, lenses, furniture, LCD display screens, and more. Opaque wide spec acrylic may not be ideal for applications requiring transparency.
#### Polycarbonate
- **Standard Properties**: Polycarbonate (PC) is created through the polymerization of bisphenol A and phosgene. It is widely used across industries due to its mechanical strength and impact resistance. PC is lightweight, durable, transparent, and can be designed to block UV rays. It can be machined, formed, melted, and molded easily. PC also offers structural and dimensional stability and has good electrical properties.
- **Wide Spec**: Wide spec PC may not follow the exact standard formulation of bisphenol A and phosgene, leading to variations in mechanical strength, density, and transparency.
- **Applications**: Wide spec PC is commonly found in kitchen jars, cups, sippers, containers, and more.
#### Polypropylene
- **Standard Properties**: Polypropylene (PP) is a reasonably hard polyolefin with low density and good heat resistance. It is formed by polymerizing propene monomers. PP is highly versatile and can be tailored to be hard or soft, opaque or transparent. It is lightweight with a density ranging from 0.8 to 0.9 g/cm³.
- **Wide Spec**: Variations in chain structures during polymerization can lead to wide spec PP, differing in heat resistance and hardness compared to standard PP.
- **Applications**: PP is used in consumer goods, films, packaging, and more.
#### Polyurethane
- **Standard Properties**: Polyurethane (PU) can be melted and molded, offering both durability and flexibility. It has a high elongation break point and good load-bearing capacity, forming thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). PU can withstand low temperatures and abrasion, showing wide variation in molecular structure.
- **Wide Spec**: Variations in molecular structure may sometimes be off-grade, differing from standard formulations.
- **Applications**: PU is used in seals, gaskets, tubing, wheels, rollers, wires & cables, sporting goods, and more.
### How to Choose the Right Wide Spec Resin?
Selecting the appropriate resin depends heavily on your project requirements. Here are some guidelines to help you decide:
- Evaluate your project needs and operating environment, matching them against the properties of each polymer available.
- Consider using wide spec resins if they meet your requirements or customize them for added cost-effectiveness.
- Assess physical and chemical properties such as density, temperature range, melting point, biodegradability, UV and abrasion resistance, hardness, and mechanical strength.
- Ensure the material is safe and free of toxic emissions.
- If color changes occur in wide spec resins, verify whether these changes are acceptable for your application.
- Consider the desired texture or surface finish and confirm if the material meets those standards.
- For applications like food, healthcare, etc., ensure the materials have FDA, RoHS, REACH, and NSF certifications.
If you're an OEM producing large volumes of plastic parts and products, sourcing wide spec resins of specific types is crucial. Always choose premium-quality wide spec resins with optimal physical and chemical properties tailored to your application. Partner with reliable suppliers who can cater specifically to your needs. Mid Continent Plastics is a leading engineering plastics supplier offering wide spec plastic resin distribution, regardless of volume. With over thirty years in the market, they provide exceptional service and quality.
