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If you are in a thermoplastic manufacturing business, you must know the importance of injection molding. Through this process, you can produce parts in bulk or large volumes. In short, injection molding helps in the mass production of identical items. 

Several industries have embraced this technique of preparing parts in bulk positively. However, another reason that has helped it gain massive popularity is its variety of available materials. 

Here lies a million-dollar question: “Which material or plastic is the most suited?”

To help you with a rock-solid answer to this, we have come up with this blog. Here, you will get detailed information about the popular plastic injection molding materials to use for the manufacturing process. So, let’s dive deep into the details. 

 

Range of Injection Molding Materials 

Indeed, there is a host of plastic injection molding materials. But not all offer the same results. Moreover, when you have too many options at hand, it becomes challenging for you to pick one and discard the rest. However, below is a list of injection molding materials with their features. So, by the time you reach the end of this list, you will surely be able to make a decision. 

1. Acrylic 

Generally, acrylic gives you a transparent finish and is mostly used for crafting view screens, windows, and similar lighting tools. You can use it as an alternative to glass. Its beneficial features are as follows: 

• High tensile strength 

• Resistant to weather and scratch 

• Absorbs colors and dyes well 

• Imparts an aesthetic effect 

• Better transparent and optical properties 

• Completely tasteless and odorless 

• Safe for storing food 

 

2. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene 

This is a plastic of an engineering grade and is an opaque thermoplastic polymer. The advantages of using this are: 

• Extremely tough material 

• Highly resistant to scratching and impact 

• Offers good dimensional stability 

• Cannot be broken easily 

• Suitable to low melting temperature 

• Functions as a good insulator 

 

3. Nylon 

Most injection molding companies use nylon to manufacture sturdy mechanical parts like gears, brushings, and bearings. Here’s how the automobile industry can get highly benefitted from nylon: 

• Helps to reduce weight 

• Tough on the outside 

• Reduces production cost 

However, never use nylon for water-based products and businesses dealing with marine applications as it absorbs water. 

4. Polycarbonate 

This is another popular and one of the best injection molding materials that help in the manufacturing and production of parts in bulk. Its features include: 

• Highly durable 

• Amazing optical properties 

• Helps in maintaining dimensional control 

• Possesses uniform and predictable shrinkage 

While using polycarbonate for clear plastic parts, make sure to polish the mold tool well. This clearly indicates to use stainless steel of a higher grade. 

5. Polyethylene 

Polyethylene is the most common type of material used by manufacturers. The toys you had played with in your childhood were all made up of polyethylene. Here are its advantages: 

• Has high chemical resistance 

• Offers great elasticity 

• Has better electrical insulating properties 

• Complete non-toxic

 

6. Polyoxymethylene 

This is a kind of acetal resin mostly used in the automobile and mechanical industries or in places where parts in large volumes are made with metal. Its features include:

• Tough, strong, and rigid thermoplastic material 

• Highly resistant to solvents 

• Helps in producing knife handles, gears, ball bearings, etc. 

 

7. Polypropylene 

If you belong to the packaging and food storage industry, you ought to use polypropylene for these reasons: 

• Prevents chemicals from getting mixed with food 

• Can be washed in hot water without any degradation 

• Highly resistant to moisture and chemicals 

• Has incredible elasticity, strength, and sturdiness 

• High flexible 

• Can be recycled easily 

 

8. Polystyrene 

For injection molding resins, you have two categories of polystyrene – high-impact polystyrene and general-purpose polystyrene. High-impact polystyrene has these features: 

• Entirely transparent 

• Durable and tough 

The general-purpose polystyrene has these features: 

• Completely opaque 

• Can withstand a lot of abuse 

 

9. Thermoplastic polyurethane

Although thermoplastic polyurethane is costlier than other molding materials, manufacturers choose this because of its features as mentioned below: 

• High tensile strength 

• Great power to withstand wear and tear 

• Offers a better grip on products 

 

10. Thermoplastic rubber 

Combining plastic and rubber, the manufacturers create thermoplastic rubber resin for the injection molding process. Its advantages in the injection molding process are as follows: 

• Highly resistant to weather and chemicals 

• High impact strength 

• Completely recyclable material 

• Can be used in catheters, fluid dispensers, and even in places dealing with acids 

 

Conclusion

To conclude, adopting the best injection molding materials can help your firm grow by creating items in huge quantities. Furthermore, it has the potential to lower your production costs. It is unique in its efficiency and ability to create a wide range of items on a daily basis.  By now, you must have already figured out the kind of injection molding you should use to suit your specific needs. We hope it was a fruitful read for you. Stay tuned for more molding-related blogs.