The plastic mold-making industry is growing faster than ever, producing impeccable results. It is one of the most widely recognized and extensively used processes today, helping create highly diverse and complex plastic parts with outstanding tolerances.
What will you learn?
In this blog, Go4Mould will explore some of the most commonly used plastic materials in molding. Let’s get started.
Thermoplastics | Know-How
A thermoplastic is any plastic polymer material that becomes pliable or mouldable at a specific high temperature and cures on cooling.
In the injection molding process, the more recyclable a product is, the more reliable and favorable it is for the manufacturers. Thermoplastics serve this purpose, and that’s why they are greatly preferred.
These materials easily melt into a molten state and become rigid quickly when cold. They can be processed frequently without damage, making them ideal for molding.
Common Thermoplastics in Injection Molding
The injection molding process is preferred for thermoplastics because they can be melted, formed, and cooled with complete material recycling, not affecting their chemical makeup.
Some of the more frequently used thermoplastics in this process include the following.
Polyethylene
This is an ideal material for mass production. It is affordable and helps produce quality mold parts.
- Properties
Its most appealing properties are its tensile strength and good chemical resistance. It is also highly recyclable, which means that it is a sustainable product to use for the environment.
- Applications
It is very resistant and can be utilized for packaging in different processes, bottle production, containers, plastic bags, and medical products.
Polypropylene
It is an affordable and reliable material for injection molding and suitable for a wide range of applications.
- Properties
It is chemically inert, flexible, and ideal for applications where a low-cost material is desirable. It also has tremendous fatigue strength, which makes it ideal for mass production.
- Applications
From the automobile industry to medical aid, this material can be used anywhere to make the desired parts. It has a high pressure bearing capacity and is budget-friendly.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
This one is popular in the engineering industry. It is a strong engineering thermoplastic known for its high impact strength. Manufacturers use it to make hard-wearing parts.
- Properties
The strength of ABS is that it is a game-changer in molding. Not only does it have high toughness, but it is also easy to process, which helps make different shapes. It is also perfect for creating complex geometric shapes.
- Applications
Different industries, such as electronic housing and automotive parts, use this material for its benefits. Due to its enhanced strength, durability, and ease of molding, it is also used to make consumer goods such as the LEGO block.
Polycarbonate (PC)
This robust, solid thermoplastic was explicitly designed for strict mechanical purposes and still demands visibility.
- Properties
Polycarbonate provides high transparency, impact strength, and heat resistance, so it is used in products exposed to physical stresses and heat.
- Applications
Polycarbonate is widely used in optical discs, eyeglass lenses, and sports protective equipment such as helmets because it has good characteristics, transparency, high impact strength, and hardness.
Polystyrene (PS)
The standard type of foam used as an insulating material is polystyrene, a generic term for a group of relatively cheap, rigid, and versatile plastics that are rigid and clear in injection molding.
- Types
The types include General-Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) and High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS). GPPS offers high dimensional accuracy and stiffness, and modified HIPS has better impact strength.
- Properties
It is clear, rigid, and easy to mold into complex shapes, making polystyrene highly valued when the recipient requires intricate designs. This material is also relatively light and cheap, thus widely used in production processes.
- Applications
Polystyrene is widely employed in manufacturing disposable products such as cutlery, CDs, games cases, packaging materials, etc, where clarity and stiffness are sought relatively cheaply.
Polyamide (Nylon)
Polyamide, more commonly referred to as nylon, is a highly resilient thermoplastic that becomes more suitable for high-performance engineering applications. It is famous for its capability to differentiate itself for commercial viability in harsh habitats.
- Properties
This material provides high mechanical strength, good wear resistance, and significant chemical inertness and is suitable for the parts subjected to stress and friction.
- Applications
Nylon is a very famous product among industrialists. It is used in gears, bearings, automotive parts, and other applications requiring strength, toughness, and antifriction.
Elastomers
It is the best choice to get the two most in-demand properties in a single product. They entail the properties of rubber and plastic, enhancing their durability while reshaping. Furthermore, they can withstand different environmental conditions and work at various temperatures.
- Applications
TPEs are ideal for iconic soft-touch grips, seals, medical tubing flexures, and similar applications that require the affected part to perform effectively, whether through comfort, flexibility, or durability.
Importance of Choosing the Right Thermoplastics
The right thermoplastic is vital since it determines the final product’s characteristics, reliability, and price. Each thermoplastic possesses tensile strength, flexibility, chemical resistance, and heat stability and is suitable for particular uses.
Also, it minimizes wastage, lowers production costs, and increases the general sustainability of the product.
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Conclusion
Depending on the requirements, working on the right thermoplastic material is crucial to generate optimal results when designing parts for injection molding. The right material can make definite changes to the product’s design and functionality, as well as its cost and longevity.
If you need professional assistance or are searching for exceptional injection molding services, welcome to Go4Mould. Havig has been in business for many years and works with various thermoplastic materials. We can help you decide what suits you best. Call us today for details.
