Plastic injection molding is the process of pouring hot or molten plastic into a rigid mold. Then, the molten plastic cools and hardens into a solid component. But what kind of plastic is used for this process? Each kind of plastic has it’s own characteristics and uses. That means the kind of plastic you use depends a lot on the final product.
Most Common Plastic Resins Used For Injection Molding
Let’s take a look at some of the most common plastics used in injection molding so you can decide which material is right for your project.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS is probably the most common type of plastic used in injection molding. It can be melted down from solid to liquid as many times as you want. That makes it great for recycling purposes, and also makes it cost-effective. Furthermore, many ABS products are made from other recycled ABS products. It’s a relatively strong material and holds up great under many conditions. So, it’s commonly used in the automotive and technology industries. Things like keyboards and lego bricks are made from ABS.
Acetal
Acetal is another commonly used plastic for injection molding. It’s naturally white, which means it can be made into any color you want. Furthermore, it’s very strong and stiff. This quality makes acetal great for all types of high-performance engineering. In fact, Acetal is used to make small gears, ski bindings, eyeglass frames, even weapons.
Polypropene
Polypropene gets a lot of use in the packaging industry. Many brands also use polypropene for household goods and car parts because of their flexible qualities. Think about a flip-top bottle. The plastic hinges must hold the same shape for the lifetime of the bottle. This anti-fatigue quality makes this plastic great for all kinds of products.
Contact Us Today to Learn More!
Choosing the right kind of plastic for your injection molding project can be complicated. We are here to make it simple for Wisconsin folks like you. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about plastic resins!