Plastic material selection is a crucial part of any plastic molding production process. The material type you use for your molding production will contribute to your success in creating the final products you want to have, no matter the industry you are working in.
What factors influence the plastic material selection for molding in terms of properties and cost? Here’s the list of those factors:
- Overall Material Cost
Different plastic material types and grades will have different costs. So, you can’t consider Nylon and ABS plastic materials to have the same cost, especially if they have different levels of quality or grade. The best way to select the best plastic material for molding based on their cost is to determine three different aspects: your budget, the quality you want to achieve for the finished product, and your project requirements.
By analyzing these aspects, you can come up with the right plastic material that matches best with your budget and quality standards. Pick the plastic material for molding based on your budget, keep the material quality as high as possible, and be sure to keep the material within the specifications based on your project requirements.
- Overall Quality or Grade of the Material
Plastic materials also have different grade or quality measurement that makes them differ from each other, in terms of cost and properties. Even in the same material selection, such as acrylic, there will be various qualities or grades you can choose from this material. Selecting the best quality or grade of the material becomes an important factor in your molding production.
Generally speaking, the higher the grade or quality of the material, the better the final plastic-molded products will be. But, of course, achieving the higher-quality final products means to spend a lot more money on its material purchase or production cost.
- Structural Strength and Hardness of the Material
Compared to metals, plastic materials have lower structural strength and hardness. It can make plastics to be less durable than metals in some cases. However, there are various plastic material types that feature a high level of structural strength and hardness, allowing you to get much more durable plastic-molded products in the end.
So, the structural strength and hardness are the factors that you should consider when choosing for the plastic material to use for molding. Depending on your project specifications and the end products you would like to make, choosing between plastics with lower or higher strength and hardness will be very important for the success of your molding production.
- Material Aesthetics and Physical Characteristics
Another factor to consider when you select plastic material for molding is the material aesthetics, along with the physical characteristics of the material. Not all plastic materials can be made into aesthetically-pleasing final products. For instance, acrylic has the clear-glass aesthetics that are suitable for use in creating aesthetically-pleasing final products. So, if the final product’s aesthetics are your goal, you can pick the plastic material that has the aesthetically-pleasing characteristics to accommodate it.
You can also consider the various physical characteristics of the plastic materials before using them for molding. You can pick whether you need to use the materials that allow for different color variations, whether the materials are elastic or rigid, or any other physical-related characteristics.
- Material Weight
Contrary to most people’s perception, plastic materials are not always lightweight, like rubbers, and therefore, they can be used for different purposes. Some lightweight plastic materials can be used for the applications that necessitate their lightweight properties whereas some heavier plastic materials will be indispensable for certain applications that require their sturdiness and durable characteristics.
In terms of material weight, it is worth noting that the heavier the materials doesn’t mean that it is more expensive. In some cases, lightweight materials might also give you more expenses when you use them in injection molding for plastics.
- The Flexibility or Elasticity Factor of the Material
Many types of plastic materials are elastic in nature. Think of rubber-type plastics. These materials are very flexible when you use them in various applications. You can use them for creating tires, window sealants, cables, etc.
The opposite is true. There are also plastic materials that are rigid or solid in nature. You can work with both elastic and rigid plastic materials in your molding production based on what you need. Choosing the plastic materials that are either flexible or rigid is important to determine the best materials to use in your molding production.
- The Working Temperature of the Material
The working temperature of the plastic material is also an important factor you will need to consider when selecting the plastic material for molding in your production. It will have all things to do with the final product’s operating temperature. When you need to produce the final products with high operating temperature, you can’t use the plastic materials that have a low melting point.
The working temperature of the plastic material will affect how you use the final products on applications that require a high level of temperature. For instance, in the automotive engine or the battery compartment of the electrical equipment. Assess the final product’s requirements in terms of its operating temperature first. Then, ensure to choose the plastic material that won’t get damaged when exposed to the product’s operating temperature.
Conclusion – Selecting the Best Plastic Material for Molding
The success of your molding production will be determined by how you select the plastic materials. Selecting the right plastic material for molding is no small feat. Various factors related to material properties and cost are important to consider before making any decision. It’s best to take some time to assess your project requirements and find the most suitable plastic materials to use for your molding production.
TEAM Rapid is a Hong Kong-based manufacturing production company that offers a trusted and reliable plastic injection molding service for your project needs. We work with worldwide clients to give them the best results in their manufacturing production process.
