How to choose the right plastic material?

A plastic product can be very durable and withstand a wide range of stresses. The thermoplastic"thermoplastics are used for everything, even where you least expect them!
This is a leap forward from the humble plastic container in your kitchen. If the indication isn't obvious, there are many types of plastic.

Naturally, this means there are many criteria to consider when choosing the resin for your plastic product. Resin refers to the types of plastic, which vary enormously thanks to numerous technological advancements. Plastic Material.

Your products might not need to go to the planet Mars, but the wrong plastic can ensure they don't go anywhere at all!

So, how do you choose the right resin? Here's a process to follow:

Define the objective!

• • What will your product need to do?

• • What challenges will he have to face?

• • How long should he be able to do his job for?

• • Should it be recycled?

• • Will your part need to be rigid or flexible?

• • Does it have to be non-toxic?

• • Are there any standards or regulations that you must comply with?

• • Do you need it in any colours?

• • Will he be exposed to certain chemicals?

• • Will it need to be decorated, glued,...?

Here are some of the questions you should start with, as they will help you identify the characteristics you will want in your choice of plastic.

Pay attention to every design requirement, even texture and appearance. These will guide your choice of resin.

Understanding types of plastics

There are broadly two types of plastics: thermosetting plastics and thermoplastics. Their names indicate their notable difference:

Thermosetting plastics are cured by heat. They are essentially baked, making them incredibly durable but also almost impossible to recycle. If your product needs to withstand significant temperatures, this family of resins should be your choice.

These materials can be processed by injection, compression, pultrusion, etc. Rubbers and silicones are also related to these substances. Hysbter does not specialise in these types of materials.

But Most plastic applications use thermoplastics. These types of resins are melted to take the shape of the finished product, and then retain this shape once cooled. injection molding plastic and 3D FDM printing This family of resins is used. It should be mentioned that thermoplastics can withstand heat if designed to do so. But generally, these resins will eventually melt at sufficiently high temperatures.

Understanding thermoplastic families

Once again, there are several choices:

Do you remember the trip to Mars? Well, you won't get there if you use the first two types of materials.

The dilemma of many customers!

Should we favour the cheapest material? The most expensive? ….. we’ll help you understand!!

• • Materials have different characteristics.
    For example (here the bending modulus)

First point: You’ll need three times less material (it’s not exactly a linear relationship, but never mind – this is just to illustrate the calculation!) containing 20% glass fibres than standard material… so if you buy the material for less than three times the price of the standard one, you’ve made a saving! Easy, isn’t it?

Second point: the cycle time The machine's output is proportional to the product's thickness (squared!)... so not only do we produce fewer parts per hour (hence a higher unit cost), but we'll use more energy.

Third point: The material doesn't have the same density either! So if you fill a mould (in litres), and the density isn't the same... you get a different weight! (since we buy by the kilo... that changes things further).

Nevertheless, there are applications where a standard resin will be more advantageous than a technical resin... but we'll explain that later!

Hybster has established a Exhaustive and exclusive comparator of plastics for project leaders.