Defence industry

In the defence industry, components must function reliably even under high mechanical, thermal and chemical loads. Engineering plastics and high-performance plastics provide a versatile material basis for this: they enable lightweight, corrosion-resistant, electrically insulating and precisely manufactured components for vehicles, technical systems, electronics, lifting technology and other applications.

Martan Plastics supports you in selecting suitable high-performance plastics and in manufacturing custom plastic components for demanding industrial applications.

Requirements for plastics in the defence industry

Components for the defence and armaments industry are frequently exposed to changing temperatures, mechanical loads, moisture, chemicals or permanent wear. At the same time, weight, dimensional accuracy and electrical properties can play an important role.

Depending on the application, plastics are therefore selected according to criteria including the following:

• high mechanical strength and impact toughness
• low component mass
• temperature resistance
• chemical and corrosion resistance
• wear resistance and good sliding properties
• electrical insulation
• low moisture absorption
• high dimensional and shape stability
• good machinability for custom geometries

Which material is suitable always depends on the actual operating conditions and the design requirements of the respective component.

Which plastics are suitable for military applications?

Various engineering plastics are suitable for components and moulded parts in the defence industry. Materials whose properties can be specifically tailored to mechanical, thermal or chemical requirements are particularly frequently used.

PEEK

PEEK is suitable for components with high mechanical, thermal and chemical requirements. The high-performance plastic can be used, for example, for precision parts, bearings, insulators, guides or other technically demanding components.

PTFE

PTFE offers very high chemical resistance and particularly low friction coefficients. Typical areas of use are seals, sliding elements, bearings and components that come into contact with aggressive media.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is characterised in particular by its high impact toughness. Depending on the respective version, PC can be used for transparent protective covers, housings and other robust components.

Polyethylene

Polyethylene is available in various material variants. High-molecular-weight PE materials can be of particular interest where wear resistance, impact toughness and low weight are required.

Other materials can be useful depending on temperature, load, media contact, friction or electrical requirements. You can find an overview in our high-performance plastics.

Which moulded parts are suitable for military applications?

Plastic moulded parts whose material and geometry are precisely adapted to the subsequent load are particularly suitable for military and defence-technology applications.

These can include, for example:

• bearing bushes and sliding elements
• guides and guide rails
• spacers
• insulators
• housings and covers
• sealing and support elements
• rollers and technical functional parts
• precision components for vehicle and equipment systems
• components for electrical and electronic systems
• custom moulded parts to drawing

Professional plastic machining also allows complex geometries and custom components to be produced. For precise contours and bores, CNC milling and CNC turning are available, among other processes.

The selection should not be made on the basis of the plastic type alone. The direction of load, temperature range, contact media, tolerances, friction and the desired service life of the component must also be taken into account.

Plastic components for vehicle and system technology

Weight reduction plays an important role in many mobile applications. Plastic components can supplement or replace metallic components wherever the technical requirements allow.

Possible applications include, for example:

• guides and sliding elements
• bearing bushes
• electrical insulators
• covers and housing parts
• seals
• mounts
• functional parts subject to wear
• components for moving assemblies

Depending on the version, materials such as PEEK, PTFE, polyamide or polyethylene enable different combinations of strength, wear resistance, sliding properties and low weight.

Plastics in lifting technology for the armaments industry

Lifting, transport and positioning systems can also play an important role in the defence industry, for example in vehicle technology, maintenance, logistics or technical installations.

Plastic components can be used here as rollers, guides, plain bearings, wear elements or technical moulded parts, among other things. Advantages can include low mass, corrosion resistance, good sliding properties and low-maintenance operation.

For applications with high mechanical loads, PA, POM or PE materials are suitable, for example. You can find further information on materials and typical possible uses on our page on plastics for crane and lifting technology.

Coatings and functional surfaces in the defence industry

In addition to the base material, the surface of a plastic component can also influence its function and service life. Depending on the application, surface treatments or functional coatings can be used to specifically adapt certain properties.

Possible objectives include, for example:

• improvement of wear resistance
• reduction of friction
• improvement of adhesion
• protection against environmental influences
• adjustment of wettability
• modification of functional surface properties

Which coating or surface treatment is suitable depends on the plastic used, the area of application and the desired function.

You can find further technical background in our article on the influence of surface treatments on the durability of plastics.

Electronics and communication systems

Plastics are used in electrical and electronic assemblies in particular because of their insulating properties, their low weight and their versatile machinability.

Possible components are:

• insulators
• spacers
• housing parts
• cable and line guides
• mounting elements
• temperature-resistant functional parts

For special requirements, modified or high-temperature-resistant plastics can be used in order to specifically tailor electrical, thermal or mechanical properties to the application.

Seals, bearings and sliding elements

For assemblies that move or are to be sealed against media, plastics with different tribological and chemical properties are available.

PTFE and modified plastics can be of interest for seals, plain bearings and sliding elements, for example. For higher mechanical loads, PEEK, PA, POM or other engineering plastics may also be suitable, depending on the design and environment.

Custom manufacturing allows dimensions, geometries and materials to be specifically matched to the respective assembly.

Ballistic protection

High-strength fibres, polycarbonate and high-molecular-weight polyethylene materials are used for ballistic applications, among others. Since the material selection and construction of ballistic protection systems have their own requirements, we cover this topic in detail on our page on plastics for ballistics.

This keeps the focus of this page on plastic solutions for the entire defence industry, while requirements for ballistic protection systems are considered separately.

Advantages of engineering plastics in the defence industry

Depending on the material and application, plastics offer various technical advantages:

Low weight: Plastic components often have a considerably lower density than metallic components and can thus contribute to weight reduction.

Corrosion resistance: Many plastics do not corrode like metallic materials and are therefore suitable for damp or chemically stressed environments.

Chemical resistance: Materials such as PTFE or PEEK offer high resistance to numerous media.

Electrical insulation: Many engineering plastics have good insulating properties and are therefore suitable for electrical and electronic components.

Wear and sliding properties: Special materials and modifications can be used for bearings, guides and moving components.

Custom manufacturing: Plastic parts can be precisely adapted to design requirements by CNC machining and other manufacturing processes.

Custom plastic parts for the defence industry

Martan Plastics supplies plastic semi-finished products and manufactures custom components for demanding industrial applications. From material selection to the machined finished part, material, dimensions and manufacturing process can be matched to your requirements.

Depending on the component, various processes of plastic machining are available. These include CNC milling, CNC turning and other processes for producing custom plastic components.

The following details are particularly helpful for a technical enquiry:

• drawing or sketch
• desired material, if already defined
• dimensions
• quantity
• tolerances
• temperature range
• mechanical load
• contact with chemicals or other media
• special electrical or tribological requirements

This allows a targeted assessment of which material and which manufacturing process are suitable for your application.

Frequently asked questions about plastics in the defence industry

Which moulded parts are suitable for military applications?

Suitable parts include bearing bushes, guides, insulators, spacers, housings, covers, sealing elements and custom-manufactured precision parts. Suitability depends on load, temperature, media contact and the required technical properties.

Which plastics are used in the defence industry?

Depending on the application, PEEK, PTFE, polycarbonate, polyethylene, PA, POM and other engineering or high-performance plastics may be suitable, for example. The right material is selected on the basis of the specific operating conditions.

Which plastics are suitable for lifting technology in the armaments industry?

PA, POM and PE materials, among others, can be used for rollers, guides, bearing bushes and wear elements. At higher temperatures or with special chemical requirements, high-performance plastics may be necessary.

What role do functional coatings play in the armaments industry?

Functional coatings and surface treatments can be used to specifically modify surface properties such as friction, wear behaviour, adhesion or resistance to environmental influences. Suitability depends on the base material and the respective application.

Why are high-performance plastics used in the defence industry?

Depending on the material, high-performance plastics offer a combination of low weight, temperature resistance, chemical resistance, mechanical load capacity and electrical properties. This makes them suitable for numerous technically demanding components.

Can plastic components be manufactured individually to drawing?

Yes. CNC milling, CNC turning and other plastic machining processes allow custom components and moulded parts to be produced on the basis of technical drawings.

Our plastic solutions for the defence industry

We offer a broad range of high-performance plastics that are specifically tailored to the requirements of defence technology and the defence sector. These materials are characterised by their high performance and are used in the following areas:

Ballistic protection

• protective vests, helmets and armour plates made from fibre-reinforced plastics
• use of aramid fibres and UHMW-PE for maximum impact and shock resistance
• precisely manufactured protective components by CNC milling, CNC turning and waterjet cutting

Vehicle and aerospace technology

• lightweight and resistant components made from PEEK and PTFE for weight reduction
• plastic coatings for protection against corrosion and extreme environmental conditions
• tailor-made components by extrusion, RAM extrusion and extrusion pressing

Electronic and communication systems

• high-performance plastics for insulators and cable sheathing in military communication systems
• antistatic and heat-resistant materials to ensure functionality in extreme environments
• precise manufacturing options by CO₂ laser cutting

Sealing and lubricant technology

• PTFE-based seals and bearings that withstand extreme temperatures and chemicals
• maintenance-free plastic components that offer a long service life and high reliability
• manufacture of special seals by 3D printing and plastic machining

Why plastics in the armaments industry?

The use of plastics in military manufacturing offers numerous advantages:

• Weight savings: plastics are considerably lighter than metal, which improves mobility and fuel efficiency. Particularly exciting for the drone industry
• High resistance to extreme temperatures, chemicals and mechanical loads.
• Ballistic protective effect: plastics such as aramid and UHMW-PE offer excellent protection against projectiles and fragments.
• Electrical insulation: essential for military electronics and communication systems.
• Durability and corrosion resistance: ideal for applications in extreme environments.

Plastics are indispensable for the armaments and defence industry and offer versatile application possibilities, from ballistic protection to vehicle and aerospace technology through to highly specialised sealing systems and insulation materials.

Through their unique properties, they contribute to the efficiency, safety and durability of modern military systems.

Our innovative plastic solutions such as plastic semi-finished products, CNC machining, 3D printing and laser cutting meet the most demanding requirements of the industry and offer sustainable advantages for modern defence technologies.