There are dozens, if not hundreds, of plastic materials with unique features and properties. However, only a few are considered the best all-around materials, and we’re here to discuss why. Read on to learn more about the best plastic materials for injection molding.
Low-Density Polyethylene
You interact with much more low-density polyethylene (LDPE) than you realize—from plastic bags to computer parts, LDPE is everywhere. Its vast utility is thanks to LDPE’s inherent properties. For one thing, LDPE has high moisture resistance—when water and other wet materials attempt to interact with this material, they are repelled.
LDPE is ideal for compost bins, water bottles, and cleaning product containers. The last example is also true due to LDPE’s resistance to chemicals—very few chemical substances react to LDPE at all.
High-Density Polyethylene
High-density polyethylene, or HDPE, is on the other end of the spectrum from LDPE. While LDPE has a bit more flexibility, HDPE has high impact resistance. With a similar resistance to moisture and an added resistance to heat, HDPE is the better choice in harsher environments. As a food-safe material, HDPE is responsible for hot food storage and transportation.
Nylon
Nylon, technically known as polyamide, is among the most stable plastic materials. If HDPE proudly boasts resistance to wear and tear and LDPE stands up to chemicals, nylon brings electrical resistance to the table. You probably know of nylon’s use as pantyhose, but it has other applications, too! For instance, sports gear and medical parts use nylon as an essential production material.
Depending on your needs, you may wonder why you should use plastic over a “stronger” material like metal. There are plenty of advantages of working with plastic instead of metal, and we hope the specific resistances we discussed can show that.
Now that you know the best plastic materials for injection molding, it’s up to you to determine the ideal material for your application. Do you need plastic that withstands impact, high temperatures, or chemicals? In any case, there’s a perfect plastic for you!
