How to Select the Best Resin for Your Plastic Injection Part
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Posted on Jun 9, 2021
Plastic injection molding is a highly versatile and efficient process that allows manufacturers to create a wide range of products and components from melted plastic resins. As a result of advances in molding technologies and material development, polymers and plastics have been incorporated into an increasingly wide array of products and applications. Featuring lightweight strength, aesthetic appeal, and durability; plastics are becoming the preferred material for industries ranging from consumer products to medical devices.
There are a wide variety of plastic resins available in the marketplace; each of which exhibits unique characteristics that make it useful for particular applications. In order to ensure optimal performance, it is essential to select the correct resin for your needs. For the purposes of plastic manufacturing, a resin consists of plastic or polymers in a liquid or semi-solid state that can be heated, melted, and used to form plastic parts. In injection molding, the term resin refers to the melted thermoplastic or thermoset materials used during the injection molding process.
Considerations for Choosing Resin
New polymers and compounds are being introduced to the market regularly. The sheer number of choices can make injection molding materials selection quite a challenge. Selecting the right plastic resin requires a thorough understanding of the final product. The following questions can help you determine the best resin materials for your needs.
1. What is the intended purpose of the final part?
When selecting the right material for your application, you need to clearly outline the physical requirements of the part, including potential stressors, environmental conditions, chemical exposure, and, if importance, expected service life of the product.
- How strong does the part need to be?
- Does the part need to be flexible or rigid?
- Does the part need to withstand unusual levels of pressure or weight?
- Will the parts be exposed to any chemicals or other elements?
- Will the parts be exposed to extreme temperatures or harsh environmental conditions?
- What is the part's life expectancy?
2. Are there special aesthetic considerations?
Choosing the right product includes finding a material that can exhibit the color, transparency, texture, and surface treatments you need. When selecting your resin, consider whether it will meet your product's intended appearance and function requirements
3. Do any regulatory requirements apply?
A crucial aspect of resin selection includes regulatory requirements for your component and its intended application. For example, if your part will be shipped internationally, used in food processing, applied to medical equipment, or incorporated into high-performance engineering applications, it is important that the material you select meets the necessary industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- What regulatory requirements must your part meet: FDA, RoHS, NSF, or REACH?
- Does the product need to be safe for use by children
- Does the part need to be food-safe?
The Final Selection
Choosing the right material for a project is one of the most important factors in creating perfect plastic parts. The advances in polymer science have contributed to developing a large selection of resins from which to choose. It is important to work with an injection molder that has experience with a variety of resins and applications; including resins that are compliant with FDA, RoHS, REACH, and NSF.
Over the years, The Rodon Group has developed strategic relationships with the country's best resin suppliers. We have over 60 years of experience using certified commodity and engineering resins that adhere to our stringent manufacturing standards. Unless you are well-versed in resin selection, you should always consult with your injection molder to determine the best material for a particular project!
The Rodon Group, is committed to providing our customers with the highest quality plastic injection molded products in the industry! We understand the unique challenges facing product developers and manufacturers in every industry. We are not just manufacturers — we are innovators. We make it our goal to ensure that you have the perfect material solutions for every application.
To learn more about our extensive selection of resin materials and injection molding services, contact our experts today
Source Destination: https://www.rodongroup.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-resin-material-for-your-part
