Noryl Comparisons — vs Polycarbonate, Acetal & Other Electricals
Noryl (modified PPO) competes primarily with polycarbonate and acetal for engineering plastic applications requiring flame resistance and dimensional stability. For electrical applications specifically, it competes with all engineering thermoplastics on dielectric constant. This page maps each comparison to help engineers choose the appropriate material.
At a glance:
- Noryl vs PC: Noryl wins on moisture stability, dielectric constant, flame rating; PC wins on impact and temperature
- Noryl vs acetal: Noryl wins on flame rating and dielectric; acetal wins on wear resistance and machinability
- Noryl vs nylon: Noryl vastly superior in moisture-exposed dimensional stability; nylon is tougher and cheaper
- Noryl vs PPS: PPS wins on chemical resistance and temperature; Noryl on dielectric constant and cost
Noryl vs Polycarbonate
The most common comparison for electrical and electronic housings.
Choose Noryl when:
- UL 94 V-0 is required without a separate FR (flame-retardant) version — EN265 is inherently V-0
- Lowest dielectric constant is needed (2.65 vs PC's 2.9)
- Dimensional stability in humid environments is critical — Noryl absorbs 5× less moisture than polycarbonate
- RF signal integrity (low dissipation factor 0.0007 vs PC's 0.009)
Choose polycarbonate when:
- Impact resistance is the primary requirement (PC is 2–3× more impact resistant than Noryl)
- Higher service temperature is needed (PC: 240°F vs Noryl: 200°F)
- Optical clarity is required (standard Noryl is opaque)
- Cost is comparable but higher temperature is the driver
For dedicated comparison, see Noryl vs polycarbonate.
Noryl vs Acetal (Delrin)
Choose Noryl when:
- V-0 flame rating is required (acetal is only HB — the lowest flame class)
- Low dielectric constant is needed (2.65 vs 3.7)
- Higher service temperature than acetal's 185°F limit is needed
- Dimensional stability in humidity is important (Noryl absorbs 3× less than acetal)
Choose acetal when:
- Wear resistance is the governing requirement (acetal is a better bearing plastic)
- FDA food-contact compliance is needed (acetal: 177.2470; Noryl is not standard FDA)
- Lowest cost is a priority (acetal is cheaper than Noryl)
- Machinability: acetal produces shorter, cleaner chips and machines faster
Noryl vs Nylon 6/6
| Property | Noryl EN265 | Nylon 6/6 |
|---|---|---|
| Water absorption, 24 hr | 0.07% | 1.6% |
| Dimensional change (saturation) | <0.01% | ~2% |
| Tensile strength (psi) | 8,700 | 11,200 |
| Tensile strength (wet, psi) | ~8,500 | ~6,500 |
| Dielectric constant (1 MHz) | 2.65 | 3.7–4.0 |
| UL 94 | V-0 (EN265) | HB |
| Cost | $$ | $ |
Noryl is dramatically superior to nylon in dimensional stability in moisture. For electrical connectors or precision-fit components in humid environments, nylon's 2% dimensional change at saturation makes tight-tolerance fits impossible — Noryl maintains <0.01% change.
Nylon wins on tensile strength (dry), toughness, cost, and FDA food-contact compliance.
Noryl vs PPS (Ryton/Fortron)
For applications requiring higher temperature and chemical resistance than Noryl:
| Property | Noryl EN265 | PPS (Ryton) |
|---|---|---|
| Cont. Use Temp | ~200°F (93°C) | 450°F (232°C) |
| Chemical resistance (solvents) | Poor (aromatics) | Excellent |
| Dielectric constant (1 MHz) | 2.65 | 3.1 |
| UL 94 | V-0 | V-0 |
| Moisture absorption, 24 hr | 0.07% | <0.02% |
| Cost | $$ | $$$ |
Choose PPS when operating temperature exceeds 200°F or when solvent exposure is present. Noryl's chemical resistance to aromatic solvents is poor; PPS handles most solvents.
Choose Noryl when temperature is within 200°F, solvents are absent, and the lower dielectric constant (2.65 vs PPS 3.1) matters for the electrical application.
Compare and quote Noryl for your electrical application
Request a Quote →More related guides
Applications
Industries
Compare to other materials
Frequently asked questions — Noryl FAQ