Plastic Injection molding products are everywhere in our lives. they are made of different materials and these materials have different properties. KUSLA, as a prototype injection molding and low-volume injection molding manufacturer, will share with you an overview of the top 14 Plastic Materials used for injection molding.
Top 14 materials for injection molding
The common injection molding materials on the market are PMMA, PC, ABS, PP, PA, PE, and more, let us review the advantages and applications of each material.
Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate) (PMMA)
Acrylic is a lightweight plastic often used as an alternative to glass. it is transparent and high-gloss. they are mostly used in those application where high clarity is priority.
Advantages of Acrylic:
- Exceptional Transparency
- Weather and Chemical Resistance
- Surface Hardness
- Dimensional Stability
Applications: Windows, greenhouses, solar panels, bathroom enclosures, and architectural, lighting, and outdoor components
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate is a strong and transparent plastic material. It has high impact resistance and high-temperature resistance, used in lots of applications where high strength is required.
Advantages of Polycarbonate:
- High Impact Resistance
- UV Resistance
- Transparency
- Chemical Resistance
- Rigidity
Applications: Machinery guards, clear and tinted windows, LED light diffusers, and clear molds for casting. Not recommended for food preparation or storage due to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA).
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
ABS have a low melting point and it is easy to injection molding. this material is widely used in various industries for opaque products.
Advantages of ABS:
- Impact Resistance
- Surface Hardness
- Chemical Resistance
- Uniform Shrinkage
- Wide Temperature Range
Applications: Keyboard keys, protective headgear, automotive parts, consumer goods, sports equipment, and industrial fittings.
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is widely used in food storage and packaging due to its chemical resistance and moisture resistance. it is also easy for injection molding because it has a good Injection fluidity.
Advantages of Polypropylene:
- Chemical Resistance
- Fatigue Resistance
- Electrical Resistance
- Elasticity
Applications: Toys, storage containers, sporting goods, packaging, appliances, and power tool bodies.
Nylon(PA)
Nylon is a versatile plastic with good abrasion resistance and high strength. it is suitable for high friction and wear resistance applications.
Advantages of Nylon:
- Low Friction
- Chemical Resistance
- Abrasion Resistance
- Adaptability
Applications: Mechanical parts, casings, threaded inserts, and high-friction applications.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
High-density polyethylene is a low-cost material with high strength. It is resistant to moisture and chemicals and can used for food applications.
Advantages of HDPE:
- Sustainability
- Chemical and Heat Resistance
- Food Grade
- low cost
Applications: Housewares, toys, food containers, and automotive parts. Limited UV resistance, suitable for indoor applications.
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Low-density polyethylene is softer and more flexible than HDPE, It also has moisture and chemical resistance.
Advantages of LDPE:
- Flexibility
- Moisture Resistance
- Impact Resistance
- Chemical Resistance
Applications: Containers, dispensing bottles, tubing, plastic bags, and molded laboratory equipment.
Polyoxymethylene (POM)
POM is also known as acetal, It can be injected into parts that require low friction, high stiffness, and excellent dimensional stability. Because they have a highly crystalline structure, POM plastics are naturally opaque and white.
Advantages of Polyoxymethylene:
- Rigidity
- Impact Resistance
- Solvent Resistance
- Glossy Surface
Applications: Bearings, gears, conveyor belts, fasteners, eyeglass frames, and high-performance engineering components.
Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)
PBT is one of the toughest engineering thermoplastic materials. It is a semi-crystalline material with very good mechanical strength and thermal stability. The melting point and high-temperature deformation temperature are lower than PET materials and higher than polycarbonate.
Advantages of Polybutylene terephthalate
- High mechanical strength
- High thermal resistance
- Dimension stability
- Electrical Resistance
Applications: electrical switches, motor housings, electric fans, radiator grilles.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
PVC is an amorphous plastic with poor thermal stability and is susceptible to thermal decomposition. PVC is difficult to burn and is resistant to climate change, and has excellent geometric stability.
Advantages of Polyvinyl Chloride
- Low cost
- Super wear-resistant
- Chemical resistance
- Waterproof and anti-slip
- Lightweight
Applications: Water supply pipes, household pipes, electronic product packaging, food packaging, etc.
Polyetherimide (PEI)
Polyetherimide, also known as Ultem, is an amorphous material that is extremely heat-resistant compared to other plastics. Due to its rigidity and high heat resistance, polyetherimide is most commonly used in medical devices, electronics, and industrial plastic components.
Advantages of Polyetherimide:
● Rigid
● High Heat resistance
● High tensile strength
● Flame retardant
Applications: Engine Plastic parts, Electronic housings.
Polystyrene (PS）
Polystyrene is a polymer widely used in plastics and foams across a variety of industries. Due to its bending properties, polystyrene is often used in hinged applications such as disposable food containers and bottles.
Advantages of polystyrene:
● Optical clarity
● FDA grade
● Stability
● low cost
Applications: containers, caps, bottles for packaging and cutlery, trays for household products, and medical supplies.
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
TPU has elastomeric properties similar to rubber. TPU has a higher hardness and can be used as hard rubber.
Advantages of Thermoplastic Polyurethane
- Elasticity
- Resistance to Impacts
- Dimensional Stability
- Resistance to Tears
- Resistance to Grease and Oil
Applications: Footwear, gaskets, caster wheels, electronics enclosures, and medical devices.
Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)
TPE is a mixture of rubber and plastic materials. Although TPE has the properties of rubber, it is injection molded the same as plastic.
Advantages of Thermoplastic Elastomer:
- Versatility
- Consistency
- Eco-friendly
- Safe for the medical and food & beverage industries
Applications: Footwear, medical devices, auto parts, and pet products, including weather seals and shock dust boots in automotive and medical applications.
Top plastic resin manufactures
There are many plastic resin manufacturers in the world, Here we list the 5 famous manufacturers for you to download the datasheet of each material from their websites.
Conclusion
There are also many other plastic materials besides the above common injection molding materials, each has advantages and disadvantages. To make high-quality injection molded parts, different injection molding parameters need to be used. KUSLA has many years of injection molding experience and could help you with any plastic injection molding project. Contact us now if you have any questions about the injection molding materials.
FAQ
What is the most common raw material for injection molding?
Generally, The most common plastic materials for injection molding parts are acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylic (PMMA), and Polycarbonate (PC).
What plastic is easiest for injection molding?
Polypropylene (PP) is the cheapest plastic for injection molding in the market due to the ease of manufacturing and injection molding that makes it widely used which leads to a low cost.
