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Custom Plastic Injection Molding Materials You Can Use

There are many materials suitable for achieving a quality job in rapid prototyping. For example, common ones include metals and plastics. Every material you come across being used in rapid prototyping is better suitable for a particular process. For example, when you talk about metals, you talk about fast prototyping processes such as CNC machining or sheet metal fabrication.

In terms of injection molding, there are also many materials you can use. While these materials might be suitable for other methods, they can deliver high quality when used by an experienced engineer in custom plastic injection molding. Choosing the right materials can be a little challenging. Therefore, this article introduced the standard materials for custom injection molding. Go through the list below, and you will find a material suitable for your project.

molding plastics

Common Materials You Can Use in Plastic Injection Molding

The right material for custom injection molding depends on factors such as extrusion property, hardness, quality, compatibility, and, most importantly, cost. Based on these factors, selection might be a little daunting. However, the materials listed below are quite suitable.

ABS Overview

ABS or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is an injection molding material known for its unique properties (omnexus has a detailed guide on this). It has a wide temperature range, good stability, and is a good insulator. You would have likely seen a common ABS product is the Lego toy, and you would know how strong they were.

Benefits of Using ABS in Custom Plastic Injection Molding

ABS is a popular material because of its unique properties. Below are a few:

  • ABS is a very tough impact-resistant plastic.
  • It has a low shrink and dimensional stability.
  • ABS is resistant to acid bases and other organic solvents.
  • Most importantly, it is inexpensive.

Applications of ABS Material

ABS material is suitable for making many products via custom injection molding. Popular applications of the custom injection material include:

  • Handheld devices
  • Housings and moldings for electrical tools,
  • Computers and telephone components.

Considerations When Using ABS Material in Injection Molding

ABS material used in custom injection molding can lead to the formation of knit lines, sink, and voids in dense areas. You can reduce the tendency of the sink to occur by switching to ABS/PC blend.

large plastic snap brick toys

PC Overview

PC or Polycarbonate is another common material known for its transparency or high impact resistance. Consequently, it is a popular material in making eyewear, LED lights, and transparent windows.

Benefits of Using PC in Custom Plastic Injection Molding

Polycarbonate has many unique properties making it a suitable material. Below are a few benefits of using PC

  • PC is a solid and impact-resistant custom injection material.
  • It has low shrink and good dimensional stability.
  • It is a transparent material
  • Polycarbonate has good heat resistance

Application Using Polycarbonate

Popular applications of the custom injection material include:

  • Lenses
  • Indoor and outdoor lighting
  • Cell phone housings
  • Bulletproof glass.

Considerations When Using PC Material in Injection Molding

Thick sections might have penalties evident in voids, bubble, and sink formation. It can also lead to some polycarbonate parts having poor chemical resistance. An ABS/PC blend is a good alternative for opaque parts with these issues, and Acrylic (outlined below) is another option for parts with thick geometries.

sheets made with pc

PVC Overview

PVC or Poly Vinyl Chloride is one of the most popular plastics used worldwide. It is strong and brittle. Consequently, it is a crucial plastic in making insulation for electric wires and making pipes for plumbing.

Benefits of Using PVC in Custom Injection Molding

PVC has many unique properties. Below are a few of its benefits.

  • It has a relatively low price.
  • It has resistance to acid, bases, and other forms of environmental degradation.
  • It is very hard and rigid
  • It is easily recyclable.

Application Using PVC

PVC has a wide range of applications. Below are a few of its applications

  • Insulation for wires
  • Flooring for homes
  • Plumbing

Considerations When Using PVC in Injection Molding

Injection molding manufacturers, like rapiddirect.com,  that work with PVC should have a good ventilation process as its use can lead to the outflow of toxic chlorine gas. Also, corrosive tools should be employed when working with PVC

pvc pipe

PA Overview

Nylon plastic (PA) is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer known for its versatility, durability, flexibility, and affordability.

Benefits of Using PA in Custom Injection Molding

PA use in custom injection molding is a result of its many benefits. Below are a few that can make you select it as the right method

  • There are many types of PA you could choose from
  • PA has high strength and high-temperature strength
  • It is chemically resistant, except to strong acids and bases.
  • Depending on the grade, PA materials are hard, stiff, and are abrasion-resistant.
  • It is cost-effective

Application Using PA

PA is used in a wide range of industrial and non-industrial functions. Below are a few of its application

  • Thin-walled features,
  • Combs,
  • Gears and bearings,
  • Structural parts (with glass
  • Under-hood components

Consideration When Using PA Material in Injection Molding

Nylon is more susceptible to warping. Therefore, you should check the type of nylon you use. Also, if the product will be used in a high humid environment, avoid using nylon as it will absorb moisture.

pa molded plastic pieces

PMMA Overview

PMMA or Polymethyl methacrylate/Acrylic is a popular and effective manufacturing method known for its high-quality plastic parts and prototypes.

Benefits of Using PMMA in Custom Injection Molding

PMMA has many unique properties, making it a beneficial custom injection molding material used worldwide. Below are a few of its benefits.

  • It has good optical properties.
  • It is scratch-resistant.
  • Acrylic has low shrink and less sink in geometries.

Application Using PMMA

PMMA is used in a wide range of industrial and non-industrial functions. Below are a few of its application

  • Light pipes
  • Lenses
  • Light shades
  • Optical fibers

Consideration When Using PMMA Material in Injection Molding

Acrylic is brittle, making it susceptible to stress cracking. To correct this, you could use a draft. Also, acrylic or PMMA has poor chemical resistance.

pmma

PS Overview

Polystyrene is a popular injection molding material with bending and flexible properties. Therefore, making disposable materials with a hinge setup is an important part. It is also used in making insulators and sheets for laminating floors.

Benefits of Using PS in Custom Injection Molding

PS has many unique properties. Therefore, it is an important custom injection molding material. Below are a few of its benefits:

  • It is transparent
  • Safe for packaging food and consumable materials
  • It is very rigid
  • It is inexpensive

Application Using Polystyrene

PS is suitable for making many products via custom injection molding. Popular applications of the custom injection material include:

  • Integral hinges or living hinges
  • Snap-over lids
  • Medical pipette tubing.

Consideration When Using PS Material in Injection Molding

Considerations: Thick sections in part geometry can void and show bubbles. Shrink and warp may also occur in PP parts. K-Resin is a good alternative if the part has living hinges that require higher stiffness.

PP Overview

Polypropylene is a plastic used in injection molding known for its glossy surface, chemical resistance, and elastic properties. These properties make it suitable for making products used in the food industry, e.g., plastic kitchenware, safe dishwasher plates, and storage containers. It is also applicable in making toys, hard luggage containers, and car parts.

Benefits of Using PP in Custom Injection Molding

PP is a popular custom injection molding material because of its unique properties. Below are a few you should consider.

  • It does not react with most bases and acids
  • It is elastic, i.e., it retains its shape stress
  • It has strong insulation properties

Application Using PP

PP is used in a wide range of industrial and non-industrial functions. Below are a few of its applications:

  • Integral hinges or living hinges
  • Snap-over lids
  • Medical pipette tubing.

Consideration When Using PP Material in Injection Molding

There can be an occurrence of shrinking and warping. It can also show void and show bubbles in thick sections.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right custom injection molding materials can be challenging since they have different features. If you are planning to start your injection molding project, only with the design is not enough; finding experienced people to cooperate with would help save time and money.

About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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