From nylon and acrylic to polycarbonate, you will find various materials for injection molding. When choosing the right one during manufacturing, you need to consider your specific requirements and application since every material has its own properties.
You also need to think about durability, flexibility, cost, and if they can stand up to various environmental factors. Whether you’re looking for plastic injection molding in Singapore, Malaysia, China, or Thailand, you should make sure the company is certified and uses high-quality machinery and materials to ensure premium quality finished products.
If you’re interested in knowing what materials are used in injection molding, read on this article!
1. Acrylic (PMMA)
Poly (methyl methacrylate) is the chemical name of acrylic. It is a durable alternative to glass, withstands exposure to water, and offers top-notch optical clarity, which means light can easily pass through it.
As it takes colorants very well, you can dye it any color you want for aesthetic appeal. It’s odorless and free of BPA, which is why some manufacturers also use it for producing food storage containers.
However, it can still easily get stained by oils and can crack with high pressure. It’s generally used in windows, solar panels, greenhouses, and various lighting and outdoor equipment.
2. Nylon (PA)
Polyamide or nylon is sturdy and highly resistant to heat, fatigue, and abrasion. The UV rays can impact the quality of nylon, but you can add a UV stabilizer to keep it protected for better outdoor performance.
Nylon can’t resist strong acids and bases, and it also absorbs water. That’s why it’s not the best choice for marine applications.
It is mostly used in mechanical parts like slides, bearings, gears, kinetic parts, fixtures, casings, and snap-fit closures.
3. Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate is naturally transparent and lightweight yet quite more durable than glass. It has excellent optical properties and maintains its color.
Although molding polycarbonate can be on the high-end side, it has predictable and uniform shrinkage to ensure you get the right measurements of the final product.
Applications for this molding material include diffusers and light pipes for LEDs, clear and tinted windows, and machinery guards.
4. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
TPU has rubber-like properties because it is soft and flexible with exceptional tear and tensile strength. It is quite resistant to extreme temperatures and chemicals.
What’s great about this material is that for items that need to be held in the hands, it provides a great grip to prevent slippage.
It’s mainly used in footwear, phone cases, enclosures for medical devices, sporting goods, and caster wheels.
5. Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene is quite elastic, lightweight, and has electrical insulating properties. However, this molding material is not really strong, and that’s why it’s usually cheaper than other materials.
Since it has poor UV resistance, it’s mainly used in indoor items like trash cans, food containers, and housewares. It’s also used in toys, milk bottles, and medicine bottles as it’s non-toxic.
Conclusion
Every injection molding material from acrylic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and thermoplastic polyurethane to nylon has unique features and characteristics. That’s why each one of them is suitable for different applications. Using these materials for injection molding will depend on what industry you work in and the items you produce.