How to choose the right plastic material for industrial injection molded parts isn’t about using the strongest plastic available. It’s about selecting the plastic that’s going to provide the most balance across performance, processing and manufacturability, cost, and strength.
Industrial applications of injection molded parts are exposed to some of the harshest conditions in any market and key considerations must be made for teams to select the material that’s going to work best in a given environment.
Triad Plastic Technologies lays out specific thought-points for industrial OEMs and supplier programs to consider when selecting materials for their next injection molding project.
Consider Service Conditions
Industrial environments are exposed to harsh conditions such as high heat, impact, constant vibration, oils, solvents, chemicals, UV, humidity, and repeated strain and stress from flexing, just to name a few. When asking the question of how to choose the right plastic material, a good rule of thumb is to weigh the worst environments your product could be exposed to. When material selection is made with that factor at the front of mind, it can certainly withstand calmer conditions. Below are some considerations on materials with respective environmental conditions.
- Select PP for chemical resistance and cost-effectiveness
- ABS provides a good mix of toughness and processability
- PC where high impact resistance is necessary
- POM when low-friction and wear-prone moving parts are necessary
- PA in stronger structural parts
Match Material Properties to Part Requirements
When the environmental conditions of where your injection molded component will serve have been considered, it’s time to weigh what your part itself needs in order to function properly.
This usually translates into topics such as stiffness, varying forms of resistance, structural integrity, finishes, mechanical strength, and durability. Some of the best practices Triad Plastic Technologies has noticed over the last 30-plus years are in the following:
- Structural brackets and housings for sensitive devices or equipment rely on stiff materials such as PA.
- Any snap-fits, clips, or dropped parts use tougher, more durable materials such as ABS or PA in some cases.
- Fluid-handling components demand chemically resistant materials such as PP, PE, or PVC.
- Gears, bushings, or sliding interfaces need low-friction materials such as POM.
Weigh Costs with Production Volume
Like many other items in manufacturing, cost is one of the largest deciding points in material selection. Most of the polymers discussed are considered commodity resins which are cost-effective solutions for high-volume manufacturing and cost-sensitive parts.
Engineering resins, such as polycarbonate, are more costly, but lead to better high performing parts.
Contact Triad for More Tips on How to Choose the Right Plastic Material for Your Injection Molded Components
Triad Plastic Technologies specializes in delivering complete plastic solutions, offering services including rapid prototyping, mold design and construction, precision plastic injection molding, product assembly, packaging, and logistics.
Located in Reno, Nevada since 1988, our team of technicians, engineers, and senior leadership all have the knowledge necessary to help your team answer the question on how to choose the right plastic material for your injection molded components.
Contact us today and let’s narrow down your polymer options and get started on creating your components.