It's crucial to understand how plastic is produced if your product calls for plastic components. These components are created by the method of plastic injection molding. By mastering the process, you can ensure that your product comes out exactly as you intended.
Plastic Manufacturing
Plastics are made up of numerous different components. Hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, chlorine, sulfur, and nitrogen are a few of the most prevalent elements. Furthermore, plastics have very high molecular weights. This implies that each piece of plastic is made up of thousands of atoms.
Silicones include silicon atoms, whereas the majority of polymers are made of carbon atoms.
Thermoplastics make up 92% of all plastics. In essence, the carbon atoms join the previously mentioned elements. Thermoplastics are created when they form lengthy chains.
Small unit cells are repeated throughout the chains that make up thermoplastics. Monomers are the atoms that make up each of these unit cells.
Plastic resins come in a variety of varieties when different monomers are combined. Each of them possesses unique qualities and traits. Knowing what kind of plastic you require for a particular product depends on this.
Understanding the Need for Additives
Polymers are produced as monomers combine. Sometimes, polymers need additives to create the right kind of plastic.
Here are some common additives:
- Antimicrobials
- Antioxidants
- Anti-stats
- Colorants
- Flame retardants
- Foaming agents
- Lubricants
- Plasticizers
This is why it is essential to figure out what kind of plastic parts you need from the manufacturer. Your needs dictate the additives needed for the plastic injection molding process.
Plastic Types
There are 2 kinds of plastics based on the way you process the materials.
1) Thermoset
Thermosets are polymers that, when heated, retain their altered shape. If you need strength and longevity, this plastic is ideal. Thermosets are best exemplified by tires.
Thermosets are polyurethanes, which are unsaturated polyesters. Epoxies and phenol formaldehyde fall within this group as well.
2) Thermoplastic
Compared to thermosets, thermoplastics are softer. When you heat them up, they get softer. They return to their initial state once they have cooled off.
Because of their adaptability, thermoplastics have many applications. The packaging of food, such as drink bottles and milk jugs, is one frequent use.
The process of creating plastic components is difficult. There are a plethora of distinct aspects to comprehend and investigate. However, it is simpler to make the necessary parts once you have a thorough understanding of them all.
Have a plastic part concept you want to see become a reality? Speak with our team today.