Table 1.
Performance of candidate materials (performance indices of two top candidates in respect of relevant performance are given in bold) (Data from CES EduPack 2019, Granta Design Limited, Cambridge, UK, 2019 [15]).
| N | Name | Cost Per Unit of Stiffness (USD/(GPa1/3·m3)) | Mass Per unit Stiffness (kg/(GPa1/3·m3)) (Place in the Order of Ascending Mass) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer SMMA (clarity, stiffness) | 1190–2520 | 716–743 (3) | Susceptible for stress whitening |
| 2 | Polyethylene Terephthalate PET (unfilled, amorphous) | 1240–1490 | 907–1010 (10) | Not suitable for negative temperatures |
| 3 | SMMA (clarity, semi-tough) | 1290–2730 | 773–808 (5) | |
| 4 | Polypropylene PP (homopolymer, clarified/nucleated) | 1340–1410 | 743–782 (4) | |
| 5 | SMMA (ethyl acrylate terpolymer) | 1370–2910 | 825–859 (8) | |
| 6 | Polystyrene PS (heat resistant) | 1440–1670 | 692–718 (2) | Poor wear and fatigue resistance |
| 7 | PP (random copolymer, clarified/nucleated) | 1470–1570 | 814–869 (7) | |
| 8 | PS (general purpose, ‘crystal’) | 147–1740 | 697–759 (3) | |
| 9 | Styrene-Butadiene SB (stiffness) | 1570–1740 | ||
| 10 | Methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene MABS (unfilled) | 1710–1950 | 784–878 (6) | |
| 11 | Polyvinyl chloride PVC (rigid, molding and extrusion) | 1720–2010 | 890–1040 (9) | |
| 12 | Styrene acrylonitrile SAN (molding and extrusion) | 1910–2090 | 663–710 (1) | Poor wear resistance |
Note: Bold type is to highlight commonly recognized names of polymers identified in the Selection procedure above.