--- title: Plastics Resin Sourcing for Engineers description: Compare and select plastic resins with Plastics.com, leveraging AI to access 45,000+ materials and streamline your material sourcing process. --- ENGINEERS # Compare Plastic Resin Properties and Find Material Alternatives — Faster Materials engineers spend hours sifting through inconsistent datasheets and manufacturer PDFs to compare plastic resin properties. Plastics.com standardizes data for 45,000+ materials into one searchable polymer material database with AI-powered analysis. [Sign Up](https://plastics.com/authenticate) [Book Demo](https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/c59253b3deac4b01b98dae3596f41043%40plastics.com/meetingtype/f8L6I7Dt1ka1vKcr7isv1A2?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled) ![Engineers-1](https://243997439.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Engineers-1.png?width=1080&height=1350&name=Engineers-1.png "Engineers-1") ### Join teams from leading companies ![autodesk](https://243997439.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/autodesk.svg) ![crocs](https://243997439.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/crocs.svg) ![boston scientific-1](https://243997439.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/boston%20scientific-1.svg) ![amazon](https://243997439.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/amazon.svg) ![nike](https://243997439.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/nike.svg) ![medtronic](https://243997439.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/medtronic.svg) THE PROBLEM ## Challenges Materials Engineers Face Every Day ### Inconsistent Datasheet Formats Inconsistent datasheet formats across manufacturers make apples-to-apples comparison nearly impossible. Test methods, units, and property names vary from one supplier to the next. ### Time-Consuming Alternative Searches Finding material alternatives takes hours of searching through manufacturer catalogs and calling distributors. Each new project means starting the research process from scratch. ### No Single Source of Truth Engineering plastics data is scattered across dozens of websites and PDF libraries. There is no unified, searchable database that covers all the properties you need in one place. SIMPLIFY SOURCING ## How Plastics.com Works ### Discover with Herman AI Describe your application requirements and Herman recommends the right plastic resin or engineering plastic from 45,000+ materials. Trained on 350,000+ pages of curated industry data, Herman is 67% more accurate than general-purpose AI. ### Compare in the Marketplace Side-by-side property comparison across mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. Filter by material family, application, or manufacturer to narrow your selection in minutes, not days.   ### Source with Rapid Ordering Request quotes from verified plastic resin distributors and manufacturers. Get pricing in 24 hours, not weeks. Connect directly with suppliers for samples and production volumes. --- HERMAN AI ## Herman AI: Your Technical Materials Co-Pilot   Unlike general-purpose AI, Herman is trained specifically on plastics industry data — 350,000+ pages of manufacturer datasheets, technical specifications, and application guides. It understands mechanical properties, thermal behavior, chemical compatibility, and processing parameters. - Find alternatives based on property constraints - Analyze trade-offs between competing materials - Cross-reference process compatibility (injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, etc.) - Get answers grounded in verified manufacturer data, not hallucinations ![Interface Screenshpt](https://243997439.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Product%20Capture%203x.png?width=650&height=650&name=Product%20Capture%203x.png "Interface Screenshpt") MATERIAL DISCOVERY ## Materials from the World's Leading Manufacturers 3x FASTER MATERIAL DISCOVERY 45K+ MATERIALS 37+ Material Families BASF SABIC DuPont Celanese Evonik Solvay Arkema Covestro FAQ # Frequently asked questions How does Plastics.com standardize plastic material data? We normalize datasheets from 50+ manufacturers into consistent units and formats, covering mechanical, thermal, electrical, and chemical properties for 45,000+ materials. How does AI help with plastic material selection for product design? Herman AI is the built-in assistant on Plastics.com trained on more than 350,000 pages of curated plastics industry data. Design engineers describe their application requirements — such as operating temperature, chemical exposure, mechanical loads, and surface finish — and Herman recommends matching plastic resins from the marketplace. Herman is 67% more accurate than general-purpose AI tools and achieves a 98% reduction in hallucinations, making it a reliable starting point for material selection in product design. Is Plastics.com free for design engineers? Yes. Plastics.com is 100% free for buyers, including design engineers, product designers, and procurement teams. There is no credit card required to sign up. Engineers can search the full material database, compare properties side by side, consult Herman AI, and request quotes from suppliers at no cost. How quickly can I get material samples for design validation? After identifying candidate materials on Plastics.com, design engineers can request quotes from verified suppliers and typically receive pricing within 24 hours. Engineers connect directly with distributors and manufacturers through the platform to arrange samples, small-quantity orders, or production-volume pricing, significantly reducing the lead time compared to traditional sourcing methods. ## Simplify Your Material Discovery [Get Started](https://plastics.com/authenticate)