Understanding Ecomass Compounds and Materials Terms

Overview

This glossary defines the polymer, filler, application, compliance, and technical terminology used across Ecomass’s product documentation. It is intended as a reference for engineers, procurement professionals, and prospective customers who are evaluating high-gravity compounds and may not yet be familiar with the industry’s terminology or nomenclature conventions.

Fundamental Terminology

High-Gravity Compound A thermoplastic material formulated with a dense metal or mineral filler, resulting in a finished material with significantly greater density than standard plastic — in some formulations, comparable to lead — while retaining the processability of conventional thermoplastics. This is the foundational product category across the Ecomass compound line.

Density / Specific Gravity (g/cc) A measure of mass per unit volume, expressed in grams per cubic centimeter. Water has a density of 1.0 g/cc; lead, 11.34 g/cc; unfilled plastics are typically below 1.5 g/cc. Ecomass compounds range from approximately 1.0 to 11.0 g/cc, depending on formulation, with higher values approaching the density of lead.

Filler A powdered material — typically a dense metal or mineral — incorporated into a base polymer to modify its physical properties, most notably density, without compromising moldability.

Lead-Free / Lead Replacement A material engineered to replicate the functional properties of lead (mass, radiation attenuation, etc.) without the use of lead itself, which is classified as toxic and subject to increasing regulatory restriction.

Injection Molding / Compression Molding The two primary manufacturing processes for which Ecomass compounds are formulated. Injection molding involves forcing molten material into a mold cavity under pressure and is used for the majority of applications; compression molding applies heat and pressure to form material within a mold and is typically used for simpler geometries. Both processes allow a compound to be formed directly into a finished part, in contrast to metal fabrication methods such as machining or casting.

Polymer Bases

Each Ecomass compound is formulated from a base polymer, into which filler is subsequently incorporated. The base polymer determines the compound’s mechanical characteristics — flexibility, rigidity, and impact resistance — independent of its density.

Term	Definition
PEBA (Polyether Block Amide)	A flexible, elastomeric base polymer used in compounds requiring bending or impact absorption rather than rigidity.
PA (Polyamide) / Nylon	A family of tough, rigid engineering plastics, including PA6, PA6/6, PA6/10, and PA12 variants, differentiated by toughness and moisture resistance.
PA Alloy	A blend of polyamide with a secondary polymer to combine properties, such as increased toughness or flexibility beyond that of standard nylon.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)	A tough, chemically resistant polymer. The term “high-density” refers to the polyethylene’s own molecular structure and should not be confused with the density increase achieved through filler loading.
PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide)	A high-performance polymer with strong resistance to elevated temperature and chemical exposure, suited to demanding operating conditions.
PPA (Polyphthalamide)	A high-strength, heat-resistant engineering polymer, typically specified where standard nylon does not meet performance requirements.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)	An elastic base polymer used in compounds requiring flexibility or vibration absorption.
SIS (Styrene-Isoprene-Styrene)	An elastomeric polymer used in flexible or damping applications.
SEBS (Styrene-Ethylene-Butylene-Styrene)	An elastomeric polymer valued for flexibility and durability.
ABS	A tough, impact-resistant polymer used in general-purpose applications.

Fillers

Term	Definition
Tungsten	A high-density metal, comparable in weight to gold, and the primary filler used to achieve the highest densities in the Ecomass line (up to 11.0 g/cc, approaching that of lead). Nontoxic, and the predominant filler specified in radiation shielding and weighting applications.
Copper	A dense metal filler, lighter than tungsten but substantially denser than unfilled polymer, specified where moderate density combined with electrical or thermal conductivity is required.
Iron	A dense, cost-effective metal filler used where added mass is required without the density levels achieved by tungsten.
Stainless Steel	A dense, corrosion-resistant metal filler suited to applications involving exposure to moisture or harsh environments.
Barium Sulfate	A dense mineral filler (non-metallic) used in radiation shielding compounds at moderate density levels, valued for its radiation attenuation efficiency relative to its weight.

Application Terms

Radiation Shielding The attenuation of X-rays, gamma rays, or other radiation by a material. Traditionally accomplished with lead; achievable in a lead-free form with high-gravity compounds molded directly into housings and enclosures.

Weighting and Balancing The addition of precise, controlled mass to a part — for example, golf club heads, electronic devices, or mechanical components requiring exact weight distribution for proper function.

Vibration Damping The absorption or reduction of mechanical vibration, typically achieved with softer, more flexible compounds rather than the rigid, high-density formulations used for shielding.

Frangible Engineered to fragment or disintegrate upon impact rather than remain intact or ricochet. Most commonly specified for training ammunition, where the projectile must break down safely on contact.

Compliance and Regulatory Terms

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) A European Union directive restricting the use of specified hazardous substances, including lead, in manufactured products. A “RoHS compliant” material meets this standard.

RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) The U.S. federal statute governing hazardous waste management. A material designated “non-RCRA-hazardous” does not require specialized hazardous-waste handling or disposal procedures.

CA Prop 65 A California statute requiring warnings on products containing specified chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. Ecomass publishes Prop 65 compliance documentation for its compounds.

ISO 10993-5 An international standard for evaluating the biocompatibility of materials intended for use in or near the human body, relevant to compounds specified in medical device housings.

Conflict Minerals (SEC Form SD) A U.S. regulation requiring companies to disclose whether specified minerals in their products originate from conflict-affected regions. Ecomass publishes this disclosure for transparency.

MIL-STD-2041 A U.S. military standard governing test methods for non-metallic materials, including outgassing and toxicity screening, used in ordnance and defense applications. Ecomass compounds have been independently tested against this standard; for example, 1700TU96 was evaluated per MIL-STD-2041D-2 for leachable and toxic constituents.

Technical and Mechanical Property Terms

The following terms appear on each compound’s Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and are relevant to comparative material evaluation.

Term	Definition
Tensile Strength	The maximum pulling force a material can withstand before failure. A higher value indicates greater resistance to tensile loading.
Tensile Modulus	A measure of a material’s stiffness under tensile load. A higher value indicates greater resistance to elongation under stress.
Tensile Elongation at Break	The percentage increase in length a material undergoes before fracturing under tensile load.
Flexural Modulus / Flexural Strength	Flexural modulus measures a material’s stiffness under bending load; flexural strength measures the maximum bending force it can withstand before failure. A higher modulus indicates greater rigidity.
Izod Impact Strength	A measure of a material’s resistance to fracture under sudden impact. A higher value indicates greater impact resistance.
Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT)	The temperature at which a material begins to soften and deform under a specified load, indicating its practical upper operating temperature limit.
Surface Resistivity	A measure of a material’s resistance to electrical conduction across its surface, relevant to applications involving static buildup or electrical conductivity requirements.
ASTM Test Methods (e.g., D792, D638, D790, D256, D648)	Standardized industry test procedures used to measure the properties above, enabling consistent comparison of results across materials and suppliers.

Radiation Shielding Testing Terms

Shielding Effectiveness (vs. Lead) A percentage expressing a material’s radiation attenuation relative to an equal thickness of lead. A value of 100% indicates performance equivalent to lead at that thickness. Ecomass compounds have been independently tested at 83–109% of lead’s effectiveness across a range of isotopes and energy levels.

Isotope A specific form of a radioactive element (for example, Cobalt-60 or Technetium-99m) used as a radiation source in testing. Different isotopes emit radiation at different energy levels, which is why shielding materials are evaluated across multiple isotopes.

keV / MeV (kilo-electron-volt / mega-electron-volt) Units of measurement for the energy level of radiation, including X-rays and gamma rays. Higher-energy radiation is generally more difficult to attenuate, and a material’s shielding effectiveness can vary by energy level accordingly.

Gamma Ray / Beta Particle Two forms of radiation emitted by radioactive sources. Gamma rays are highly penetrating, comparable to X-rays; beta particles are less penetrating but still require shielding in many applications.

Document Types Referenced on Product Pages

TDS (Technical Data Sheet) The primary specification document for a compound, covering density, mechanical properties, processing temperatures, and recommended applications.

SDS (Safety Data Sheet) Safety and handling information for a material, required for workplace safety compliance.

Processing Guide Manufacturing guidance specific to a compound, including melt temperatures, mold conditions, drying requirements, and related processing parameters.

Further Assistance

Visitors uncertain which compound or category applies to a given project may refer to How to Choose a Lead Replacement Material or contact Ecomass directly. Familiarity with the terminology above is not required prior to inquiry.