Plastic injection molding is the core process of modern manufacturing industry, widely used in automotive, electronics, home, medical and other industries. In many plastic materials, the characteristics of different elements adapt to the needs of various scenarios. To help you choose the right material, this guide will cover 12 common plastic injection molding materials in detail, covering their performance characteristics, application advantages and applications. By comparing the parameters of these elementary substance , you will gain a better understanding of what makes each material unique, allowing you to make more precise decisions during project design and manufacturing.
PART 01:Common Plastic Injection Molding Materials
1. Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene is the most popular and commonly used plastic in the world. It is a lightweight, ductile, and chemically resistant material with good impact strength.
2. Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is a lightweight and durable thermoplastic known for its high stiffness, heat resistance, and chemical resistance. PP can be easily recycled, making it an environmentally friendly choice for many applications.
3. Polystyrene (PS)
Polystyrene is a versatile thermoplastic known for its clarity, rigidity, and excellent processability. PS can be easily processed through injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming techniques.
4. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
ABS is a tough and impact-resistant thermoplastic known for its high strength, stiffness, heat resistance, and dimensional stability. It offers good chemical resistance and can be easily machined, painted, and welded.
5. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
PVC is a widely use on plastic injection molding materials known for its excellent chemical resistance, weather ability, and flame retardancy. PVC can be rigid or flexible, depending on the additives and processing techniques used.
6. Nylon (PA)
Nylon is a family of synthetic polymers used in many commercial applications. The most common types used for injection molding are Nylon 6, Nylon 6/6, Nylon 66, and Nylon 6/66, which offer improved mechanical properties, heat resistance, and chemical resistance.
7. Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate is a strong, durable, and transparent plastic material. It has good heat resistance and can be combined with flame retardants. However, it is susceptible to scratching and requires UV stability. PC can be easily processed through injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming technique.
8. Acrylic (PMMA)
Acrylic is a strong, clear thermoplastic that allows plenty of light to pass through. It is shatter-resistant and resistant to sunlight and weather, making it suitable for applications like windows, greenhouses, and lighting.
9. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
PET is a strong and lightweight thermoplastic known for its excellent barrier properties, clarity, and recyclability. PET can be easily processed through injection molding, blow molding, and thermoforming techniques.
10. Phenol Formaldehyde Resins (PF)
Phenolic resins are synthetic polymers derived from phenol and formaldehyde, known for their excellent heat resistance, electrical insulation properties, and dimensional stability.
11. Epoxy (EP)
Epoxy resins are thermosetting polymers formed through the reaction of epoxide monomers and curing agents. It is one of the most commonly used thermoset materials for injection molding. It is a low-cost resin that can be molded in many ways and is frequently used as both an adhesive and a molding compound.
12. Polyurethane (PU)
Polyurethane (PU) resins are versatile thermosetting polymers known for their flexibility, toughness, and abrasion resistance. They exhibit excellent mechanical properties over a wide range of temperatures. PU resins can be formulated to have varying degrees of hardness, elasticity, and chemical resistance, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
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Summary of Performance Parameters of Plastic Injection Molding Materials
Materials | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile (MPa) | Bending Strength (MPa) | MOE (MPa) | HDT (°C) | Shrink Rate (%) | Feature |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABS | 1.05 - 1.10 | 40 - 70 | 65 - 90 | 2000-3000 | 80 - 110 | 0.4-0.8 | Good impact resistance, stable size, easy processing |
PC | 1.20 | 60 - 70 | 90 - 100 | 2200 - 2500 | 120-140 | 0.5 - 0.7 | Good transparency, high strength, excellent heat resistance |
PP | 0.90-0.91 | 25 - 35 | 30 - 50 | 1200 - 1500 | 100 - 120 | 1.0 - 2.5 | Good chemical resistance, light weight, fatigue resistance |
POM | 1.41 - 1.43 | 60 - 70 | 90 - 100 | 2500 - 3000 | 100 - 120 | 1.5 - 3.5 | High rigidity, good wear resistance, dimensional stability |
PET | 1.30 - 1.45 | 55 - 75 | 100 - 120 | 2800 - 3100 | 150 - 170 | 0.5 - 1.2 | Good rigidity, high heat resistance, good oxygen resistance |
PVC | 1.30 - 1.58 | 40 - 55 | 70 - 90 | 2000 - 2500 | 70 - 80 | 0.2 - 0.6 | Excellent chemical resistance, good electrical insulation |
PMMA | 1.18 - 1.20 | 50 - 75 | 75 - 110 | 2500 - 3000 | 75 - 105 | 0.2 - 0.6 | High transparency, good weather resistance, easy processing |
PE | 0.91 - 0.96 | 10 - 30 | 20 - 40 | 400 - 800 | 40 - 80 | 1.5 - 4.0 | Good water resistance, good impact resistance, good softness |
PS | 1.04 - 1.07 | 30 - 50 | 60 - 80 | 1800 - 2200 | 60 - 80 | 0.4 - 0.8 | Transparency, good electrical insulation, good rigidity |
TPU | 1.05 - 1.25 | 25 - 55 | 30 - 80 | 200 - 1000 | 50 - 100 | 1.2 - 2.5 | Good elasticity, wear resistance, low temperature resistance, flexibility |
PF | 1.25 - 1.35 | 30 - 50 | 80 - 100 | 3000 - 3500 | 150 - 180 | 0.8 - 1.0 | High heat resistance, excellent insulation, good chemical resistance |
EP | 1.15 - 1.20 | 50 - 90 | 80 - 120 | 2500 - 3500 | 130 - 180 | 0.2 - 1.0 | Excellent adhesion, chemical and electrical insulation resistance, good heat resistance |
PART 02:How to Choose Injection Molding Materials
1. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Recommendation:Suitable for products that focus on appearance and require some impact resistance, but may not be suitable when high heat resistance and chemical stability are required.
The Main Application Scenarios of ABS Include:
- Household Appliances:
Used in the manufacture of electrical housings, kitchen equipment and office equipment because of their good impact and heat resistance. - Automotive Industry: Used in the production of dashboards, interior parts and bumpers because of their light weight and excellent weather resistance.
- Toys: Widely used to make a variety of plastic toys, because of their safety, easy molding and color diversity.
- Electronic Products: used in mobile phone cases, computer cases and household appliance accessories, because of its good electrical insulation and impact resistance.
- Pipes and Fittings: Used in the manufacture of plastic water pipes, fittings and drainage systems due to their corrosion resistance and strength.
- Building Materials: Used to make wall plastic panels, ceilings and other decorative material because of their excellent workability and surface finish.
ABS is widely used in many fields because of its excellent mechanical properties, convenient processing and cost effectiveness.
2. PC (Polycarbonate)
Recommendation:Suitable for impact resistance, high transparency and heat resistance, not suitable for strong acid and alkali environment.
The Main Application Scenarios of Polycarbonate Include:
- Electronic Products: Used in the manufacture of mobile phone cases, computer cases and electronic equipment protective covers, because of its good impact resistance and transparency.
- Automotive Industry: Used in the manufacture of Windows, lampshades, dashboards and interior parts because of their lightweight and heat-resistant properties.
- Architecture and Decoration: For transparent roofs, partitions and Windows, providing excellent light transmission and UV resistance.
- Medical Devices: Used in the manufacture of medicine bottles, infusion sets and surgical instruments due to their biocompatibility and chemical resistance.
- Optical Applications: Used in the production of lenses, eye lenses and optical fiber, because of its good optical transparency and impact resistance.
- Consumer Goods: Used in the production of household appliances, toys and furniture due to their easy processing and diverse design options.
PC is widely used in many fields because of its excellent mechanical properties, heat resistance and transparency.
3. PP (Polypropylene)
Recommendation:Suitable for applications with strong chemical corrosion and high toughness requirements, not suitable for applications with high temperature and high transparency requirements.
The Main Application Scenarios of Polypropylene Include:
- Packaging Materials: Used in the manufacture of food plastic bags, plastic wrap, beverage bottles and trays, because of its excellent chemical resistance and lightweight characteristics.
- Textiles:Used in the production of non-woven fabrics, carpets and industrial fabrics because of their wear resistance and washable properties.
- Household Products: used in the manufacture of kitchen utensils, storage bins, furniture and daily necessities because of their ease of processing and cost effectiveness.
- Automotive Components: Materials used to make interior trim, bumpers, dashboards and seats due to their light weight and impact resistance.
- Medical Devices: Used in the manufacture of disposable medical supplies, drug containers and infusion sets due to their excellent biocompatibility and easy cleaning.
- Industrial Applications: For pipes, fittings and chemical containers due to their corrosion resistance and mechanical strength.
Polypropylene is widely used in many fields because of its excellent chemical resistance, toughness and machinability.
4. POM (Polyformaldehyde)
Recommendation:Suitable for high mechanical strength and wear resistance requirements, not suitable for long-term use in high temperature environment.
The Main Application Scenarios of POM Include:
- Mechanical Parts: Used in the manufacture of plastic gears, bearings and sliders because of their excellent wear resistance and high strength.
- Automotive Industry: Used in the production of fuel system components, interior parts and connectors due to their heat resistance and excellent impact resistance.
- Electronic Appliances: used in the manufacture of switches, receptacles and electrical housings because of their good electrical insulation and stability.
- Consumer Goods: Used in the production of daily tools, household goods and stationery, because of its good formability and chemical resistance.
- Industrial Applications: Used in the manufacture of conveyor belts, seals and valves due to their high strength and corrosion resistance.
- Medical Devices: Used to make medicine containers, infusion sets and various medical devices due to their biocompatibility and ease of cleaning.
Polyformaldehyde is widely used in many fields because of its excellent mechanical properties, heat resistance and easy processing.
5. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
Recommendation:Suitable for food contact materials and applications requiring high temperature resistance, not suitable for applications that withstand high impact for a long time.
The Main Application Scenarios of PET Include:
- Packaging Materials: Used in the manufacture of beverage bottles, food bags and plastic wrap, because of its excellent strength and transparency.
- Textiles: Used in the production of polyester fibers, clothing and household textiles, because of their wear resistance and easy washing.
- Electrical Housing: Housing for household appliances and electronic equipment due to its heat and impact resistance.
- Automotive Components: used to make upholstery, seat fabrics and other components because of their lightweight and durability.
- Medical Devices: Used in the manufacture of infusion bottles, drug containers and other medical devices due to their biocompatibility and chemical resistance.
- Industrial Applications: Used in the production of pipes, films and other engineering materials due to their excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.
PET is widely used in many fields such as packaging and textiles due to its high strength, transparency and chemical resistance.
6. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Recommendation: Suitable for opaque products, requiring high electrical insulation and chemical resistance, but not suitable for high temperature and food contact applications.
The Main Application Scenarios of PET Include:
- Buliding and Construction: PVC is widely used in pipes, window frames, flooring materials and wall panels because of its water and corrosion resistance.
- Electrical and Electronic: The good insulation properties of PVC make it suitable for the sheath and plug of wires and cables.
- Medical Equipment: Due to its biocompatibility and easy decontamination, PVC is used to make medical devices such as blood bags, catheters, and gloves.
- Packaging: PVC has good transparency and durability, and is often used to make transparent packaging, bottles and plastic wrap for food and medicine.
- Consumer Goods: In daily life, PVC is used in toys, soles, bags, artificial leather and furniture.
- Transportation: Used in the manufacture of automotive parts, dashboards and interior materials, with wear-resistant, waterproof advantages.
PVC is widely used in many fields, mainly because of its excellent chemical resistance, durability and plasticity, its versatility and affordability, becoming a versatile material.
7. PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate)
Recommendation:Suitable for products requiring high transparency, such as optical and decorative uses, but with relatively average toughness and heat resistance.
The Main Application Scenarios of PMMA Include:
- Architecture and Decoration: Used for Windows, partitions, skylights, billboards and lighting equipment, etc., to provide good light transmission and beautiful effects.
- Automotive Industry: Used in the manufacture of automotive lampshades, dashboards and Windows because of their lightweight and excellent optical properties.
- Medical Devices: used to make dialyzers, surgical instruments and dental materials, etc., due to their biocompatibility and ease of cleaning.
- Electronic Products: Used for display panels, optical lenses and protective covers due to their excellent optical transparency.
- Household Items: Used to make furniture, decorations, lamps and bathroom items due to their variety of colors and design flexibility.
- Optical Applications: Used in lenses, optical fiber and laser equipment because of its high light transmittance and good molding properties.
Polymethyl methacrylate has high transparency, strong weather resistance and easy processing, because of its diverse applications and superior performance, it has become one of the important materials in modern industry and life.
8. PE (Polyethylene)
Recommendation:Suitable for applications requiring high flexibility, good water resistance and chemical resistance, but not suitable for applications requiring high rigidity or high temperature stability.
The Main Application Scenarios of PE Include:
- Packaging Materials: shopping bags, food bags, foam materials, plastic wrap.
- Plastic Containers: beverage bottles, chemical containers, detergent bottles.
- Pipes and Accessories: for water supply, drainage and gas pipelines, with excellent corrosion resistance.
- Agricultural Film: mulch and greenhouse film used to cover crops and promote plant growth.
- Wire Insulation: used as an insulating layer for cables because of its good electrical insulation properties.
- Household Items: Used to make plastic furniture, toys and storage bins.
Polyethylene is widely used in various areas of packaging and daily life because of its excellent toughness, chemical resistance and cost effectiveness.
9. PS (Polystyrene)
Recommendation:Suitable for products with high rigidity and high appearance requirements, but not suitable for products with high requirements for toughness and impact resistance.
The Main Application Scenarios of PS Include:
- Packaging Materials: disposable tableware, crisper, food containers and foam packaging materials.
- Household Appliances: the housing and internal components of electrical appliances for their lightness and ease of processing.
- Toys: Used in the manufacture of various plastic toys due to their safety and variety of colors.
- Building Materials: Thermal insulation materials and wall insulation panels, with good thermal insulation performance.
- Electronic Products: Enclosures and components of electronic devices due to their good electrical insulation.
- Advertising and Display: The production of signs, display stands and promotional materials for their excellent printability and formability.
Polystyrene is widely used in packaging, consumer goods and construction due to its light weight, easy processing and cost effectiveness.
10. TPU(Thermoplastic polyurethane)
Recommendation: Suitable for applications requiring high flexibility and wear resistance, but not recommended for applications requiring high temperature and rigidity.
The Main Application Scenarios of TPU Include:
- Footwear: Used to make soles and uppers because of their excellent wear resistance and elasticity.
- Automotive Industry: Used in the manufacture of upholstery, seat materials and pads because they are durable and easy to form.
- Textiles: Used in the production of elastic fibers and synthetic leather, because of its good flexibility and tear resistance.
- Electronic Products: Used in protective covers and shock-proof materials due to their excellent cushioning and insulation properties.
Medical Devices: used in the manufacture of catheters, bandages and protective devices due to their biocompatibility and chemical resistance. - Industrial Applications: Used in the production of conveyor belts, seals and shock pads because of their resistance to wear and oil.
Thermoplastic polyurethane is widely go to many fields because of its excellent elasticity, wear resistance and machining flexibility.
11. PF (Phenol Formaldehyde Resins)
Recommendation:Suitable for high temperature and high electrical insulation requirements of the environment, but not suitable for transparency and processability of high requirements of the product.
The Main Application Scenarios of PF Include:
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- Electronic Appliances: Used in electrical switches, sockets, circuit boards and electrical insulation materials, because of its excellent insulation and heat resistance.
- Automotive Industry: Use on the manufacture of brake pads, clutch pads and wear pads because of their high strength and wear resistance.
- Building Materials: Use for making refractory panels, plywood and soundproof panels, with excellent fire and chemical resistance.
- Adhesive: Used as an adhesive for wood, abrasives and metal products, providing excellent bonding strength.
- Casting Industry: Used in the manufacture of moulds and cores because of their ability to maintain strength and hardness at high temperatures.
- Corrosion Resistant Coating: used to coat pipelines, storage tanks, etc., because of its good corrosion resistance.
Phenolic resin is widely use on electronics, automobile, construction and other industries because of its high strength, heat and corrosion resistance.
12. EP (Epoxy)
Recommendation:Suitable for applications with high adhesion and electrical insulation requirements, but usually more expensive and not suitable for parts that require repeated forces.
The Main Application Scenarios of EP Include:
- Building and Construction: Used in concrete repair, floor coatings and adhesives due to their excellent bond strength and chemical resistance.
- Electronic Appliances: used in the manufacture of circuit boards, insulation materials and packaging materials, because of their excellent electrical insulation properties and thermal stability.
- Automotive Industry: Used for bonding and coating of automotive components due to their corrosion resistance and excellent mechanical strength.
- Aerospace: Used in composite materials and structural components for their light weight and high strength properties.
- Medical Devices: Used in the manufacture of prosthetics, dental materials and medical instruments due to their biocompatibility and chemical resistance.
- Crafts and Furniture: for the production of transparent coatings and castings for decoration, due to their good optical properties and machinability.
Epoxy resins are widely use for many fields such as industry, electronics and construction due to their excellent strength, adhesion and chemical resistance.
In the plastic injection molding process, the choice of materials is crucial, and the properties of different materials directly affect the quality, durability and production costs of the product. This guide provides a detailed analysis of the performance parameters of 12 common plastic injection molding materials, hoping to provide effective help in your material selection. Understanding the properties of different materials will help you achieve a better balance between product function and quality in future projects, driving the pace of innovation and sustainable development.