How Specialty Polymers Differ From Their Conventional Counterparts

As a specialty polymers manufacturer, Trecora goes to great lengths to give customers exactly what they need. That is often easier said than done given the nature of the specialty polymers we deal with. They can be quite a bit different from their more conventional counterparts.

Specialty polymers are intended for very specific applications. As a result, they also possess unique properties and performance characteristics. Industries like aerospace and healthcare are among the largest consumers of specialty polymers thanks to the manufacturer's ability to tailor polymer functionality.

Engineered for Performance

It goes without saying that specialty polymers are engineered differently. The specialty polymer manufacturer must ensure that a product offers enhanced performance and function. The product must be durable, even under maximum stress. And it all begins with the product's chemical structure and properties.

Compared to their conventional counterparts, specialty polymers have a more complex chemical structure. This makes them ideal for applications requiring:

• Temperature Resistance – Polymers like polyetherimides and polyamides are exceptionally resistant to high temperatures. That's good for electronics, aerospace applications, and more.
• Chemical Resistance – Polymers like PVDF and PTFE offer exceptional chemical resistance. They are ideal for applications involving harsh environments.
• Electrical Conductivity – Polymers like polyacetylene and polyaniline are particularly good electrical conductors. They are ideal for applications involving energy storage and electronic components.

Again, a specialty polymer manufacturer must consider the unique application for each product so that the design can be tailored to the need. You don't give that level of customization with conventional polymers.

Specialized Manufacturing Processes

Manufacturing specialty polymers requires specialized manufacturing processes. This illustrates yet another key difference between specialty and conventional polymers. For example, specialty polymer manufacturing relies heavily on batch processing.

In a batch processing scenario, comparatively small amounts of specialty polymers are produced under controlled conditions. Specialized equipment and manufacturing techniques are employed to ensure consistent quality and properties across an entire batch. Specifications are rigid enough to make large-scale processing impractical.

There are two additional things to consider in terms of manufacturing:

• Customization – The specialty polymers manufacturer works very closely with customers to develop highly customized formulas for each batch. Formulas can be so customized that they differ slightly from one batch to the next.
• Processing Techniques – It is not unusual for manufacturers to employ advanced processing techniques while utilizing mainstream manufacturing processes. Those processes include things like injection molding, casting, and extrusion.

Manufacturing specialty polymers is anything but conventional. Although some of the same methods used to manufacture conventional polymers relied on in specialty polymer manufacturing, the techniques for deploying such processes tends to be more advanced in the specialty arena.

Manufacturing Costs and Pricing

Specialty polymers even differ from their conventional counterparts in terms of manufacturing costs and pricing. For starters, more advanced manufacturing techniques and specialized equipment add to manufacturing costs. The specialty polymer manufacturer must spend more to produce each product.

As you might expect, finished polymers are considered premium chemicals due to their advanced properties and exceptional performance. That means they carry a higher price tag at retail. But considering the performance, function, and diversity specialty polymers bring to the table, paying a premium price is worthwhile. Customers just don't get the same quality from mass produced conventional polymers.

Here at Trecora, we take our role as a specialty polymers manufacturer seriously. Our number one priority is to ensure that every customer gets exactly what is needed for the intended application. We work with customers to produce polymers offering exceptional performance, durability, and function. If you would like to know more about what we do, don't hesitate to contact us.