Durable and lightweight plastic materials for ride seats, liners, and other amusement park applications.
Plastic materials feature superior durability, weatherability, and chemical resistance to traditional building materials like wood and metal. Versatile plastics such as UHMW, HDPE, acrylic, polycarbonate, and more see use in many aspects of amusement park construction, attractions, and services.
Properties
Durable
Good mechanical properties
Cost-effective vs. wood or metal
More lightweight than metal
Generally good weatherability
Applications
Ride components
Ride seating
Piping
Architecture
Signage
Industries
Amusement Park
Construction
Food Service
Signage
Amusement Park Materials Overview
Why use plastics for amusement parks?
Plastics have several advantages over traditional materials such as metal, wood, and glass for building amusement parks. Components made from plastics are typically more lightweight and durable, with more resistance to wear, corrosion, and weathering compared to metal or wood. This allows plastic components used in amusement park attractions and services to last longer than metal or wood with less required maintenance overall in outdoor environments.
Plastics used in amusement parks include UHMW, HDPE, PVC, acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS, PETG, and styrene.
Why use HDPE in amusement parks?
HDPE is a versatile plastic used in amusement parks due to its great durability, strength, weatherability, and chemical resistance. It may be used in indoor and outdoor areas for a variety of ride and park components such as seating as well as in food service areas for cutting boards and storage.
Why is UHMW a good material for amusement parks?
UHMW's durability, high impact resistance, low coefficient of friction, and high abrasion resistance make it suitable for use in amusement ride components such as bearings, gears, and other moving parts. UHMW is also waterproof and has excellent UV and chemical resistance, making it a good material for use in outdoor environments.
Where are plastics used in amusement parks?
Plastics are used in nearly every facet of the amusement park experience. UHMW and HDPE are used in ride components, ride seating, food preparation, and food service. PVC is used for pipes and tubes to distribute water to fountains, water slides, pools, and more. Acrylic and polycarbonate are seen in skylights, windows, signage, and in lighting fixtures as a more durable replacement for glass.
