Plastic Injection Molding

Process

Plastic: Injection Molding

In its broadest terms, thermoplastic injection
molding forms a part by forcing (injecting) a
liquid resin (either as a hot, molten
thermoplastic, or a thermo set that is still in
liquid form) into a closed mold, under
pressure, until the part has cooled or cured
and can be ejected from the mold. This
section will primarily deal with thermoplastic
injection molding as opposed to thermo set
injection molding which is covered in a
different section. But, many of the design
guidelines apply to both types of materials.
This process consists of four distinct
operations:
1. melting the resin
2. injection of the resin into the closed mold
3. cooling the resin inside the closed mold
4. opening the mold and ejecting the molded
part

How does it work?

In its broadest terms, thermoplastic injection molding forms a part by forcing (injecting) a
liquid resin (either as a hot, molten thermoplastic, or a thermo set that is still in liquid form)
into a closed mold, under pressure, until the part has cooled or cured and can be ejected from
the mold. This section will primarily deal with thermoplastic injection molding as opposed to
thermo set injection molding which is covered in a different section. But, many of the design
guidelines apply to both types of materials.
This process consists of four distinct operations:
1. melting the resin
2. injection of the resin into the closed mold
3. cooling the resin inside the closed mold
4. opening the mold and ejecting the molded part
First, let's take a look at a schematic of a standard horizontal thermoplastic injection molding
machine:
These machines are designed to melt (or "plasticize") the resin, convey it under pressure into
the clamped closed cavity, cool the hot part and eject it once sufficiently cooled. This system
can be divided into 3 main sections: injection , mold and clamping. The fourth area
concerns itself with the control, operation and coordination of these three systems.

Schematic of a standard horizontal

thermoplastic injection molding machine

Injection System Process

Injection System
At the heart of this system is the plastic injection plasticizing cylinder (also referred to as
the extruder). The extruder consists of a barrel with heater bands outside and a rotating
screw inside. The resin, in pellet form, feeds from the hopper into the heated barrel where
shear forces, friction and the heat from the heater bands melts the plastic. The heater
bands also keep the melted resin ("melt") at a constant temperature inside the barrel.
Depending on the resin, this temperature can be between approximately 300F and 590F
(150C and 310C).
As it turns, the screw can move axially back and fourth ("reciprocate"). This allows the
melt to accumulate in the front of the barrel as the screw retracts away from the front of
the barrel. When the shot is delivered, the screw moves forward forcing the shot into the
cavity. The screw is constantly turning to keep the resin melted and to plasticize additional
material as the shot is delivered. Even after the cavity is completely filled, the screw
continues to push forward to maintain the pressure in the cavity as the melt cools.
Once the shot is complete and the plastic freezes off in the mold, the screw begins to
retract ("recover") to accumulate the next shot of melt. The size of the barrel, the
horsepower of the screw drive motor and other factors determine the speed of recovery
and thus how many shots can be delivered in an hour.
For high speed production, the injection molding machine is fitted with a "fast recovery"
injection molding system that may involve an accumulator which is a separate heated
barrel using a system of valves, the accumulator takes up the melted resin like a syringe
and allows the extruder to begin its recovery earlier while the accumulator delivers the
shot and maintains the pressure as the part cools.

Injection System

Plasticizing the resin

The cycle begins with the

extruder plasticizing the
resin and accumulating it
in the forward section of
the barrel. The heater
bands maintain the
melt's temperature as
the shot it built up. The
mold is closed. The cycle
is typically timed so that
there is minimal time
between the closing of
the mold and the next
shot

2.

Injecting the resin

Once the shot is

ready, a valve is
opened at the nozzle
and the melt is
quickly injected into
the mold. This part of
the process only takes
a few seconds. As the
melt enters the cavity,
the displaced air is
vented out through
the holes for the
ejection pins and
along the parting line.
Proper filling of the
cavity is dependant
on part design as well
as good gate location
and design and
proper venting.

3.

Cooling the Part

This is the longest

portion of the
molding cycle. Once
the cavity is filled,
the part is allowed to
cool. If an
accumulator is not
used, the extruder
continues to push
material into the
mold and maintain
the proper amount of
pressure until the
material cools (or
"freezes"). This is all
controlled by timers.

4.

Ejecting the Part

Once the part has

cooled enough (so that
it will hold its shape out
of the mold, and the
ejection pins won't
deform the part), the
mold is opened. The
moving platen has
moves backwards and
the ejector pins strike
the rear plate (or
"ejector plate"),
ejecting the part.
(There are many
different ways to eject
the part which are
discussed elsewhere in
this section.)
At the same time, the
extruder begins
retracting
("recovering") to build
up the next shot.

Designing for the Process

Designing plastic parts is a complex

task involving many factors that
address a laundry list of
requirements of the application.
"How is the part to be used?" "How
does it fit to other parts in the
assembly?" "What loads will it
experience in use?" In addition to
structural and functional issues,
processing issues play a large role in
the design of an injection molded
plastic part. How the molten plastic
enters, fills, and cools within the
cavity to form the part largely drives
what form the features in that part
must take. Adhering to some basic
rules of injection molded part design
will result in a part that in addition
to being easier to manufacture and
assemble, will typically be much
stronger in service.

Reducing Stress
The primary enemy of any injection
molded plastic part is stress. When a
plastic resin (which contain long chains
of molecules) is melted in preparation
for molding, the molecular bonds
between the molecules are temporarily
broken with heat and the shear forces
of the extruder, allowing the molecules
to flow. When the hot molten plastic is
injected into the mold, it is done so
under great pressures (up to 15,000
psi).

This pressure forces the around into

every feature and into every crack and
crevice of the mold. As these molecules
are pushed through each feature (a rib
or a wall or a boss), they are forced to
bend and turn and distort to form to
the shape of the part.

You can see the stress in these part samples when

viewed
with polarized light. The left picture shows a part
with small
fillets which creates "hot spots" of stress. the right
picture shows
the same part with large fillets and the stress is
spread out
(even though it's not totally eliminated).

Sharp Corners

Turning tight or sharp corners is harder on the

molecule than if it took a gentle turn with a
generous radius. Abrupt transitions from one
feature to another are also difficult for the
molecules to fill and form to. All of these
difficult transitions can build up shear stresses
in the material.
As the material cools and the molecular bonds
re-link the resin into its rigid form, these
stresses are in effect locked into the part. Part
stress can cause warp age, sink marks,
cracking, premature failure and other
problems.
Consider adding smooth transitions between
features. Using rounds and fillets will help the
material flow more easily through the mold and
result in less stress in the part.
While some stress in an injection molded part
is to be expected (even the best designed part
still undergoes the high pressures of molding),
you should design your parts with as much
consideration for stress reduction as possible.
As with most design choices, there must be
balance between what you want and what
makes sense.

Anatomy of an Injection Molded Part

To help simplify the process, the basic

features of an injection molded part can
be divided to three main categories:
nominal wall
projections
holes (and recesses)
Dividing a part into these basic groups
will help you to build your part in a
logical manner while minimizing
molding problems. As a part is
developed, always keep in mind how the
part is molded and what you can do to
minimize stress

Basic Features of a Plastic Part

Determining the Best Wall Thickness

How thick should your nominal wall be ? This important

decision is driven by several factors:
Functional Requirements of the Part: What does the part
have to do? If you need a lot of strength and stiffness, you
may choose to make your nominal wall thicker. Bear in mind
that you can also make a part stiff by adding ribs. If there is
room on the inside of the part for ribs, you may be able to
reduce the nominal wall. If part stiffness is a critical issue in
your design, you may want to turn to finite element analysis
(FEA) to more precisely determine exactly what wall thickness
is required by your application.
Nominal Wall = Uniform Wall:
Maintaining a nominal wall in your base feature will assure
you of good resin flow through the mold. Typically, your
nominal wall shouldnt vary more than +/- 10%. But
sometimes a complex part may require a varying thickness to
meet the functional requirements of the parttry to avoid this
because this variation can cause major problem in mold filling
and part warpage. Since the hot plastic will always follow the
path of least resistance (flowing into more open areas as
opposed to smaller, tighter areas), the thinner walls of you
part may not fill properly. The molder may have to increase
the injection pressure to force those thinner areas to fill, but
this can build even more stress into the part causing
increased warpage. This is particularly the case with plastics
that have a higher mold shrinkage factor.

The Nominal Wall

Every plastic part begins with a basic shape. This

could be a simple box, enclosure, housing or
anything you can think of. It could be a flat plane
of material, or some basic structure on an
internal component. This basic shape typically
serves as the base feature for the part. Typically,
other features (such as ribs, bosses, holes, etc.)
will be added to this base feature.
In addition to its outside shape, a wall thickness
or "nominal wall" will be established. This wall will
serve as the basis or how all other features added
to this basic feature will be designed. This
decision is a critical because as you will see, the
dimensions for these other features will be driven
by the nominal wall thickness.
Of course, you can change the nominal wall as
you develop the part, just be careful to
remember to adjust the other features that are
based on it if you do.

Variations on your wall thickness

If your part is so complex that you need variations on your

wall thickness, look for an alternative. You may want to core
out the thick section and using ribs for stiffness. If you need
to have both sides of your wall rib-free, you may want to
consider alternative processes like structural foam or gas
assist injection molding. At the very least, try not to make
the transitions between thicker and thinner sections too
abrupt. Try using a gradual transition or chamfered corners
to minimize the dramatic change in pressures inside the
mold.

Molding Considerations: The thinner the nominal wall, the

shorter the distance the hot melt can flow before it solidifies
or "freezes off." Most molders have a rule of thumb they use
to describe the relationship between nominal wall and flow
length. This flow length is also dependent on material since
different resins have melt, flow, and freezing characteristics.
If your FEA analysis indicates that you need a particularly
thick nominal wall to satisfy your structural requirements,
perhaps upgrading your material to a stiffer variety will help
you to reduce the nominal wall. Also, additives such as glass
fibers can increase the stiffness of a part with the same
nominal wall. But bear in mind, these additives can also
affect the flow and shrinkage characteristics of the material
and thus make your part design more difficult as opposed to
easier. And, theres the issue of cost.

Costing

Cost Considerations: A parts cost is directly driven

by nominal wall and cycle time. The thicker the wall,
the more plastic the part requires. But since cycle
time is largely a function of cooling, the thicker wall
requires more time to cool. In addition to having a
rule of thumb they use to describe the relationship
between nominal wall and flow length, molders have
a relationship between nominal wall and cycle time.
Part Costing Material Cost = (part weight x $/lb)
+ scrap%Labor Rate = press rate ($/hr) / (part cycle
x # of cavities)Part Cost = raw material + labor +
packaging + mark-upset Up Cost = mold set-up
cost / quantity of production run
Therefore,Production Part Cost = Cost + Set-up Cost
So, determining the proper nominal wall requires a
balance between the parts function, the molding
requirements and limitation as well as cost
considerations. There is also an element of whats
practical. Its best to consult with your mold at the
beginning of the design process to discuss the
nominal wall as well as the other features you are
planning to add to your part.

The part on the left was the result

of redesigning
the part on the right which shows
signs of stress.

Drafts

Most plastic parts include features such as

outside walls and internal ribs that are formed
by opposing surfaces of tool metal inside a
closed mold. To properly release the part when
the mold opens, the side walls of the mold are
tapered in the direction that the mold opens.
This tapering is refereed to as "draft in the line
of draw." This draft allows to part to break free
of the mold as soon as the mold opens. This is
particularly important on the inside of a part
since plastic shrinks down around and grips
the core (male part) of the mold as it cools.
Without draft, ejecting the part can be very
difficult. Normally plastic parts are ejected as
soon as they have cooled and hardened
enough to tolerate the force of the ejector pins
as they push the part off the core without
"denting" the part. If there is too little or no
draft, the part has to cool longer to accept
more force to push the part off (if at all). The
longer you have to wait for the part to cool,
the longer the cycle time, which increases the
part cost.

Projections

Any feature that adds material onto the nominal wall can be
referred to as a projection. Projections can include ribs, bosses,
snaps, gussets, etc. and all can cause serious problems to your
part if not implemented properly. Once again, just like in
selection the appropriate nominal wall thickness, the application
of projections have to strike a balance between function, mold
ability and cost.

Reinforcing Ribs: The most common projections used are

reinforcing ribs. They can be used to provide stiffness while
reducing the required nominal wall thickness. The taller the rib
extends away from the base wall, the better the mechanical
advantage and stiffening effect the rib has. However, tall ribs
(or deep ribs if you look at it from the molds perspective) can
be difficult to fill. This problem can be more so if you add draft
to both sides of the rib.
You may have the tendency to increase the thickness of the rib
to allow for better filling in the mold, but this comes at a cost.
As you increase the ribs thickness, the area where the rib
intersects the base wall (or nominal wall) increases. This
creates a section of material that is thicker than the thickness
of the nominal wall. When this happens, you can get a sink
mark on the outside of your part.

Projections

Sink Marks
When the hot melt flows into the mold, this thick section
doesnt cool as fast as the rest of the part because the thicker
material becomes insulated by the outside surface of faster
cooling plastic. As the inner core cools, it shrinks at a different
rate than the already cooled outer skin. This difference in
cooling rates causes the thick section draw inward and create a
sink mark on the outside surface of the part. In addition to
being unattractive, they also represent added stress that is built
into the part.
Rib Design
The are some basic rules to follow that will help to minimize
sink marks when adding ribs. If you picture the section of
material where a rib meets the nominal wall, a circle can be
inscribed into this area. This circle represents the thickest cross
section where a sink could occur. As a general rule, this circle
should not be larger than 1.2 to 1.5 times the nominal wall
thickness (t). This translates into a rib thickness of about 50 to
60% of the nominal wall (.5t to .6t). Depending on the
material, this rule can be bent a little. While high mold
shrinkage materials like nylon or polypropylene are very
sensitive to sink marks, lower shrink materials such as
polycarbonate and polystyrene can tolerate a slightly thicker rib
(say, 75% of the nominal wall). It is important to consult with
you molder as you begin to plan your part design since they can
best tell you what wall and rib thickness works best for your
application.

Projections

As for rib height, the same common sense approach applies. Ribs
that are too deep are more difficult to fill and can create quality
problems with ejection. A good rule of thumb is to limit the rib
height to five times the nominal wall with a minimum draft of
per side. If more strength is required, consider a series of shorter
ribs as opposed to one tall one.
Please note the in all the illustrations shown the rib meets the base
wall with a fillet. The fillet serves as smoother transition between
the rib and the wall, which allows the plastic to flow easier in the
mold. This smoother transition greatly reduces stress in the part as
well as adds a great deal if strength to the part. Always take into
account what fillet you will be using when you evaluate what rib
thickness to use. Adding the fillet without this forethought can
result in unexpected sink marks. A good rule of thumb is to limit
your fillets to 25% of the nominal wall.
Designing "Steel Safe"
As a precaution you may want to choose to design your ribs thinner
and shorter than you would normally. Your toolmaker refers to this
as building your mold "steel safe". This means that the ribs are
initially cut a little smaller than your target dimension. This way,
first shots can be made of the part to see if the part is stiff enough
with the thinner ribs without being to difficult to fill. If the part
works, you have saved yourself unnecessary sink marks. However,
if it is too difficult to fill or needs more strength, they can increase
the rib thickness or height (or even add additional ribs) by cutting
away more metal in the mold. This method is much less expensive
than having to weld up the mold and re-cut the ribs thinner and
shorter.

All Projections Are Ribs

This basic philosophy of maintaining a nominal wall and minimizing the thick sections can be
extended to all other projections that you may need to add to your part. In fact, some
designers approach plastic part design by reducing the entire "piece part" into a collection of
walls and intersecting ribs. This would mean that a box was just a flat wall with four
additional walls added around the sides. A boss for a screw or threaded insert could be
viewed as a rib in the form of a cylinder.
One thing to keep in mind as you are placing your projections is how the mold might fill with
molten plastic to form your part. Imagine the flowing plastic finding its way though the mold,
filling the larger spaces first (the nominal wall), and then moving into the thinner areas (the
ribs) until it reaches the farthest corners of your part. The thing to be aware of is that the hot
plastic will be displacing air in the mold and that air has to have a way to escape, or the mold
can't fill.
.

Example
This can be particularly true if you have a freestanding
rib or boss in the middle of your part. Features such
as this need a way to get the plastic in, and let the
air out. If air is trapped, it will compress and create
a burn mark on the rib, which probably wont fill
anyway. The best solution is to try to tie your ribs
into the side walls or other features to help convey
the plastic and air through the part. Another solution
is to transition to a projection from the base wall
with a gusset or ramped rib. This allows plastic and
trapped air to flow smoothly though the cavity. Once
again, consulting a molder can be very helpful in
your design process. Their experience can identify
such problem areas early in the process before they
become problems.

Rib A will trap air in the top corner

while rib B has a better
transition to the base wall.
Rib C is the best since it's tied
into the side wall.

Recesses and Holes

If we view plastic part design as a building process, we

began with a nominal wall that serves as the basic
shape for our part. Then we added ribs and other
projections to add rigidity and functionality. The third
category of feature that we can add to our part is what
we can take awayrecesses and holes. Recesses are
depressions in the nominal wall while holes are well,
holes though the plastic wall. This may sound like a
simple thing and hardly worthy of a designers attention,
but how you implement these features can dramatically
affect the tooling costs, aesthetics and strength of your
part.

Weld Lines

The metal that creates the hole or depression affects the

flow of plastic into the mold. As the front of hot plastic
flows into the cavity and hits the metal that forms the
feature, the front is constricted (in a depression) and can
disturb the smooth flow of material. The disturbance can
cause an aesthetic defect on the opposing side from the
depression.
In the case of the hole, which is formed by metal pin or
other feature, the front of hot plastic divides to flow
around the pin. When the two fronts rejoins, there will be
a line called a "weld line" or "knit line." Sometimes this
line is visible, other times it is not. The weld line also
causes a weakness in that area of the part because the
fronts dont completely melt back together.

Weld line example

Some of these problems can be minimized by

proper location of the gate (the point at which
the plastic enters the part), or changing the
processing conditions. Also, there are FEA
programs available to accurately predict
where these weld lines will occur in your part
so that you can anticipate any structural
weakness that may result. Consult your
molder if weld lines are a concern in your
part.

This simulation shows where the weld lines

(shown in red) will most likely occur with
the part gated in the center (yellow cone).

The weld line at this boss was made worse

because the boss was located at the furthest
extent of the part where the material began to
cool. Had the material been allowed to flow
farther past the boss, the plastic could have
been hotter and the melt fronts may have
fused together better to handle the stress.

Side Actions and Shut-Offs

While adding holes that are in-line with the direction

the mold will open ("in-line with the draw"), creating
holes in the side walls of a part is much more
complex. These types of features require a "side
action" in the mold and require much more
forethought.
As an example, imagine designing a part like an
enclosure that required a hole in the side for a power
cord. The first solution you should consider is how to
eliminate the need for the hole in the first place.
However, if you still need the hole, consider creating
the hole with two parts using a "mouse hole"
techniqueeliminating the need for the side action.
The lowest cost option to create a complete through
hole in the part is to use a straight "shut off" where a
portion of the mold creates the hole by touching
(shutting off) against an opposing part of the mold
(i.e., the core half touches the cavity half). There are
several ways to implement this technique with
varying aesthetics, which may be a drawback since
the side wall must be configured such that the mold
can penetrate through the part and tough the other
side. But the advantage is that the tooling cost may
not be increased, and the cycle time should be
affected as in the side core solution.

side action created

in part (blue) using
a cam in the mold

Alternative shutoffs

Alternatively, if you still want a complete hole in

the side wall of the part, then there a few ways
to create this feature. The first is to use a "side
core" which can take the form of a pin that is
retracted pneumatically, hydraulically or with a
cam mechanism. Depending on the complexity
of the hole feature, cost restrictions and other
factors, the molder and/or tool maker may
suggest one over another. Generally, this
feature in the tool has to be designed to move
out of the way before the part is ejected, or
move out of the way as the mold opens. This
mechanism will add to the tooling costs and
may add to the cycle time.
Incidentally, these two techniques can be used
to produce more than simple power cord holes.
Snap-fits louvered vents, raised or embossed
graphics and other features, can be formed to
add more functionality to your part. You just
have to be willing to pay for the added tooling
and possibly a longer cycle time to get it.

This hole breaks through the

top surface of the part (the part
is shown upside-down), allowing
an easier shut-off to create in
the tool.

This hole is more complicated to

split since the entire hole lies
on the face of the side wall.
Notice the draft angle and the
size of the hole required to
create this "simple" feature.

Alternative shutoffs

Incidentally, these two techniques can be used to

produce more than simple power cord holes. Snapfits louvered vents, raised or embossed graphics
and other features, can be formed to add more
functionality to your part. You just have to be
willing to pay for the added tooling and possibly a
longer cycle time to get it.

This snap-fit feature is formed

using a straight shut-off which
will produce a hole on the
cavity side of the part.

This design uses a cam

action to form the undercut
portion of the snap-fit.
This eliminates the hole, but is
more expensive to implement.

Shut-Offs - Part II

For high-volume production, snap fits provide

an economical and efficient means of
assembly. The most efficient are those formed
as a straight shut-off between core and cavity.
The exact configuration of your snap-fit will
depend on many factors including the material
and desired engagement and holding strength
of the snap. There are several design guides
published by resin suppliers with guidelines on
snap-fit design.
From a molding standpoint, all shut-off
surfaces (mating surfaces of the the two
halves of the mold) should meet at at least a
5 degree angle. This minimum angle assures
a clean shut-off without excess mold wear.
When designers are new to this design
feature, visualization of the shut-off can be
difficult. Below are some images of a modeled
snap-fit feature. Click on each images for a
larger version.

This chassis cover

assembles to
another component
using snap-fits.

Parting Lines

A "parting line" is the line of separation on the

part where the two halves of the mold meet. The
line actually indicates a parting "plane" that
passes though the part. While on simple parts this
plane can be a simple, flat surface, it is often a
complex form that traces the perimeter of the part
around the various features that make up the
parts outer "silhouette." Parting lines (denoted by
P/L) can also occur where any two pieces of a
mold meet. This can include side action pins, tool
inserts and shutoffs
Parting lines cannot be avoided; every part has
them. Whats important to understand is that
regardless of where the plastic enters the mold
("gated"), most of the plastic will travel towards
the parting line. Why? Because this is the easiest
place for the displaced air to escape or "vent."
This venting allows the part to fill without trapping
bubbles in the mold (resulting in an incomplete
part) or burning the part.
The other important thing to be aware of is that
how you design for the parting line can affect the
cost of the mold as well as the aesthetics of your
part. Depending on your application, you may not
want the share edge that results from a standard
parting line.

The melt will always head towards the

parting line

Example-I

In example I, the standard parting line is formed where

the core and cavity meet. While the internal edge of the
part can be softened easily with a round machined into
the base of the core, the outside edge is sharp.
Aesthetically, this may be acceptable, but if this area of
the part is handled, it could cut someone.

Example I
Standard Parting Line

Example-II

In example II, both edges are sharp. This may

be preferable to someone who want to create a
precise inside edge as well as a sharp outside
parting line. For example, the mating edge
between to halves of an assembly

Example I
Inserted Parting Line

Example-III
Example I

In example III, a full rounded edge is cut into the core. This
full-rounded edge can also be called a "safety edge" because
there are no sharp edges. The parting line lands precisely at
the tangent point of the round as it transitions from the core
to the cavity half.
The use of this parting line does come with somewhat of a
risk. If the mold is not matched perfectly as in "A" below, you
could see a step in the parting line like in "B" or C" below.
You may want to discuss this with your molder to better
understand any possible problems that could occur

Parting Line Mismatch (arrow)

Full Round ("Safety Edge")

Plastic Materials-I

PS
HIPS
SAN
ABS
PMMA
MBS
RPVC
CPVC
PVDC
PB
LDPE
LLDPE
HDPE
HMWHDPE
LCP
PAS
PAEK
PC/ABS
PEEK
PEI
PEKEKK
PES

Polystyrene Crystal
High Impact Polystyrene
Styrene Acrylonitrile Copolymer
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
Polymethylmethacrylate (Acrylic)
Polymethacrylate Butadiene Styrene
Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride
Polyvinylidene Chloride
Polybutylene
Low Density Polyethylene
Low Linear Density Polyethylene
High Density Polyethylene
High Molecular Weight HDPE
Liquid Crystal Polymer
Polyarylsulfone
Polyaryletherketone
Polycarbonate/ABS Alloy
Polyetheretherketone
Polyetherimide
Polyetherketoneetherketoneketone
Polyethersulfone

Plastic Materials-II

POM
PPA
PPE
PPS
PSO
PUR
TPI
PP
PP/Co
PP/Talc
PP/Glass
EVA
In
CP
TPU
TPO
TP
PA6
PA66
PA11
PBT
PET
PETG

Acetal
Polyphtalamide
Phenylene Ether Copolymer
Polyphenylene Sulfide
Polysulfone
Polyurethane Plastic Rigid
Polyimide
Polypropylene Homopolymer
Polypropylene Copolymer
Polypropylene 40% Talc Filled
f Polypropylene 30% Glass Filled
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
Ionomers (Surlyn)
Cellulose Acetate Propionate
Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Thermoplastic Elastomer Polyolefin
Thermoplastic Elastomer Polyester
Polyamide (Nylon) 6
Polyamide (Nylon) 66
Polyamide (Nylon) 11
Polybutylene Terephtalate
Polyethylene Terephtalate
Polyethylene Terephtalate Glycol

Popular plastic material and application

ABS Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene > Automotive comp,appliances,office ,Equip,refr door

consoles
wheel covers etc.
Acetal >Slides,Rollers,gear,switches,handles
Acrylic
> Lenses,Light Fixtures ,Sign boards
Cellulose acetate > Toys, Soap Dish,Knobs,Cutlery items
Cellulose Butyrate
> Pen barrels,Sky lights, M/c guards,
Cellulose Propionate
> Brush backs,hair ornaments,camera parts
Polyamide Nylon6/6
> Sporting goods,taps,connectors,gears
Nylon 30% glass filled
> transmission filter housing,railway, insulator, brake fluid
Nylon Mineral filled
> carburetors, valve, out board motor parts
Polycarbonate
> Helmets,windows,compact disc,mugs
Polycarbonate ABS blend
> Typewriter hou,food trays,tail lamp hou
Polycarbonate Polyester blend
> Gas tank,Automotive bumpers
Polyester (PBT) > Elect Appliances, car body panels,switches
Polyetheretherketone PEEK
> Engine Parts,Aerospace,Fluid handling
Polyetherimide > Temp Sensors,Lamp Sockets,surgical pressure vessels
microwave cookware
Polyethylene
> Toys,bottles,utensils,containers etc.
Polyethylene Oxide
> Pump housing,Fuse blocks, dryer hou
Poly-phenylene sulfide
> Hydraulic components,bearings,light
reflectors
Polypropylene
> Ind Parts,Battery cases,Electrical hdwe, syringes
Polystyrene
> Disposable glass ware,video cassettes,medicated
tubes,medical vials,packaging
Polysulfone
> Food Processor, Medical instruments,insulators
Polyurethane
> Rollers ,seals,wheels, gears,sky boots, gaskets
Styrene acrylo-nitrile (SAN)
> Brush Bristles, blender bowls,caster rollers,pet
dishes,instrument lenses,House ware
Thermoplastic elastomer
> wheels,Automotive,grips,shoes, dust pans

Thank you!