From rudder bearings and swim platforms to decking, windows and fuel tanks, performance plastics thrive where metal and wood fail — saltwater-resistant, UV-stable, non-conductive, and maintenance-free across every marine application.
Applications
- Tanks (water, chemical, fuel)
- Fuel lines
- Cowls
- Fairings
- Fishing rod holders and racks
- Boat and dock bumpers
- Pulleys and sheaves
- Switch board panels
- Relay bases
- Rudder and stern shaft bearings
- Deck machinery bushings and linear bearings
- Pump bearings
- Cabinetry
- Swim platforms
- Grab rails and handles
- Decking
- Gangways and steps
- Windows
- Sealing
Advantages May Include
- Lightweight — easier to handle, store; stable and rigid
- Saltwater, UV, weather, chemical, odor and stain resistant
- Low coefficient of thermal expansion
- Increases hydrodynamics
- Complex, sculpted contours; easy to fabricate
- Superior flatness, doesn't warp or delaminate
- Flexible, bends without breaking
- Non-conductive
- Available in many colors
- No painting required
- Cleans easily
- Low moisture absorption
- Excellent bearing and wear performance
- Does not rot, swell or splinter
Materials
- Acrylic (PMMA)
- Acrylic-Styrene-Acrylonitrile (ASA)
- Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)
- Cellulosics
- Epoxy
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Ionomer
- Nylon/Cast Nylon (PA)
- Phenolic (Industrial Thermosets)
- Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Polycarbonate/ABS (PC/ABS)
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
- Polyurethane (PU/PUR)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Silicone (SI)
- Thermoset Polyesters
- Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE)
Sustainability Advantages of Performance Plastics
100% recycled HDPE plastic lumber was used to replace the dock in Santa Cruz, CA after it was damaged by a tsunami. The new dock carries a 50-year warranty — a testament to plastic lumber's exceptional marine durability and longevity.
In one bridge application, plastic lumber dramatically reduced the number of support piles required — while also increasing energy absorption beyond what concrete piles could provide.
UHMW-PE replaced steel in a marine remote operated vehicle (ROV), saving 1/8th the weight — enabling deeper dives, longer missions, and greater maneuverability in subsea operations.
Synthetic teak made from PVC fills the full role of a traditional teak deck — beautiful, durable, and saltwater-resistant — without impacting endangered teak timber species, protecting vital tropical forest ecosystems.
PVC deck hatch covers reduce heat build-up inside the boat, preventing interior surface fading and improving onboard comfort. Just hours after installation, it was cool enough for both air conditioning units to cycle off — even during a hot summer afternoon.
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