Swaging, or cold forming, is a joining technique that offers unique possibilites to part designers and fabricators. Swaging involves bending and crimping a plastic part without heat to join two parts. This assembly method can save energy and avoid the use of chemicals, adhesives, and mechanical fasteners.

When swaging is being considered as a joining technique, the material selected must maintain the desired performance after undergoing joining, including retention of the bend.

A successful swaging operation requires a tough, ductile material that can be deformed at room temperature beyond the yield point, and further deformation past yield causes permanent deformation.

If clarity, toughness, and chemical resistance are also required, Eastman copolyesters are the material of choice.