Plastic resins determine the quality of the product molded from a molding machine. Choosing the best one for your models needs careful consideration to ensure a satisfying result. There are two types of plastics, the other one is reheatable and the other one is not. Each of them plays a role in the quality of molded products’ durability and reusability. Before plastic injection molding could even begin, there are many things to look at first.
A small mistake in choosing the right resin for your product can cost you more than you intended in your initial budget plan. That being the case we made a list of resin types to avoid common mistakes in choosing plastic resins.
Thermosets
This plastic resin is designed to hold against high temperatures. This makes it impossible to be reheated as the chemical composition changes. Thermosets withstand heat and corrosion even if placed close to engines.
Thermosets are great for vehicle engine parts and machinery working at high temperatures. If you need to produce plastic parts for engines, this resin is definitely for you. Many industries like automobile, aerospace and manufacturers producing electric products use thermosets.
Thermoplastic
With thermoplastic, you can reheat the resin more than once. The quality of its durability and resistance to corrosion is almost the same. It can also insulate electricity and sustain high temperatures. Unlike thermosets, thermoplastics are used to make plastic products people use daily. It includes plastic bottles, containers, trays, and more. Thermoplastics have no chemical bonding at the end of their reheating process. This is an advantage if you wish to save expenses from raw materials like resins.
Among these two main types of resin, there are more resins for multiple purposes. Packaging products, food containers, toys, car parts, medical components, and more. The resins behind these products have different categories including the following;
Polyethylene Terephthalate
or PET is a type of resin used to make lightweight products like plastic and bottle containers. Overall these are daily products you will certainly not miss. It is very sustainable and energy-saving to produce. Products made from PET are transparent and similar to glass. It’s tiny but durable enough to sustain impacts unless purposely destroyed.
High-Density Polyethylene
or HDPE is another type of popular thermoplastic resin used to make day-to-day products. It’s just more durable and strong, unlike PET, products made with HDPE are non-transparent and thicker. HDPE is made of petroleum and requires more energy to mold products in this type of resin.
Polyvinyl Chloride
or PVC for short, another type of thermoplastic resins usually used for creating industrial and commercial products. Including pipes, electrical parts, plastic covers, and more. Polyvinyl Chloride as its name says it is made of pure chloride and has durable qualities like PET. This resin, however, is more amenable and flexible than PET and HDPE.
Low-Density Polyethylene
also known as LDPE has the lowest density among other plastic resins. Common products made with these resins are the same. Including wire insulation, containers, and plastic bags. It can withstand temperatures lower than sixty degrees and can easily be broken down by sunlight.
Key Takeaway
Whether you are a manufacturer or a business looking for molding
services, knowledge of these resins can be a great advantage. Especially if you are in need of models that need to be produced in a higher volume. Molding services with decades of experience like Richfield’s are definitely someone you need. Besides molding services, they can also assemble a whole product for you. Compared to 3D printers, injection molding is still better at producing more durable products. It can also produce products at a higher volume and faster rate.
