General Description : Although unmodified PPO is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, all commercially available grades are blended with (high impact) polystyrene in order to improve melt processability. A wide range of proportions, together with the use of other modifiers, results in a good range of grades with differing properties tailored to the needs of individual end-uses.

These blends are amorphous, opaque, pale grey engineering thermoplastics with a balance of properties (and cost) not unlike nylon but without nylon's high water absorption and consequent dimensional instability. However they have poor fatigue characteristics and poor solvent, though good hydrolysis, resistance.

Applications include electrical and TV components, washing and dish-washing machine parts, automobile parts (especially fascias) and structural foam.