Saturday, December 8, 2018

How To Select Injection Mold Plastics

By John Green


There are more than eighty-five thousands different types of injection molding plastic materials available. One of the many reasons manufacturers have a difficult time selecting the right materials for various projects. In order to choose the right injection mold plastics, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the different material and their properties. Below is a brief description of material properties and how to select the right material for molding purpose.

Before selecting molding materials, buyers are expected to measure the toughness of the desired materials. It is difficult to tell if a material is hard by looking or touching it. Make use of a ruler or measuring device designed for the purpose of measuring hardness. The ruler or measurement device rates a materials type A or type D depending on how soft or hard it is. The measurement units range from zero to one hundred. Educate yourself on how hardness is measured to increase the chances of choosing the best.

Many people choose soft polymers because they are certain the softer materials are more flexible. In fact, some of the softest materials are not as flexible as many people assume. You are likely to find a hard injection mold plastic that is flexible than soft polymers like nylon. Prior to selecting a molding element, consider the weight. You can decide to choose light or heavyweight materials based on company preferences. Keep in mind, the weight of finished products is determined by the density of plastic molding.

It is common to see buyers select cheap molding plastics with the intention of saving extra money. However, the cheapest polymers may not produce quality applications in the long run. This means you should not compromise the quality of the application by purchasing low-cost polymers. Buy materials that fit application specifications to ensure the final products function according to set requirements.

Knowing the key properties of polymers, choosing the right one should not be difficult. Start by defining the product application. It is easy to select the right materials if you are aware of the use of the application and the amount of time it should last. The kind of environment it will be exposed to and types cosmetic additives or fillers you desire will have an impact on your final decision.

It common to select a material that does not match application requirements. It is always wise to learn the different material properties of each plastic injection mold. Learning helps you understand how properties affect performance and how you can match properties with application performance.

Specify injection molding plastic family before investing on any materials available in the market. Plastic families vary in weight flexibility and hardness factors that determine performance. Take a look at material specifications to determine the right one for product applications. Some common material families are polycarbonate, polyamide also referred to as nylon, polyethylene, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, and polypropylene.

Understand specific material properties and match their performance with the help of a manufacturer material chart or sheet. Select a material that is designed to perform a specific function depending on your application. Remember, the performance of injection molding materials can be improved with fillers and alloys. With these helpful tips, you can make the right choices within a short duration.




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