A few decades ago, plastic almost created a revolution. Plastic replaced metals rapidly in most applications from pipes and rods to food packets and water bottles due to their obvious advantages. There are umpteen types of plastic parts or materials commonly used nowadays. These include liquid crystal polymer, nylon (polyamide), polystyrene, acetyl, acrylic, polyester terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene to name a few. All of these and more have applications in various areas. In this post, we will discuss why plastics are suitable replacements for metals, and the different types of plastics used for making parts.
Benefits of Switching from Metals to Plastics
While metals were traditionally used in various industries including automobile and heavy engineering, a large portion of it is replaced by plastic. Here are some benefits of using plastics:
- Design molding and flexibility: Plastics can be molded into really complex shapes and sizes, and their flexibility is far higher than metals.
- Lightweight: Obviously, plastic is much lighter than any metal or alloy. For instance, it is easy to carry PVC pipes from one place to another rather than metal pipes.
- Safe to handle: Plastic is safe as it has no rust and corrosion issues.
- Less Expensive than Metals: The cost of raw materials and processes used for plastic is cheaper than that of metals. Also, you can do away with some of the assembly line requirements in a manufacturing unit. All these factors bring down the overall cost.
- Good shelf life: Good-quality plastic, especially thermoformed one is sturdy and can sustain dents or scratches. Thermoformed plastic has a good impact absorption capacity, which is why perhaps so many automobile manufacturers use it to make their doors and some other non-engine parts.
- Recyclable plastic: With increasing concerns over green gas emissions, nowadays, it is easy to recycle certain types of plastics. The recycled plastics help reduce energy expenditure required for creating new plastic material, and reduce pollution.
- Properties can be altered: Plastics are favored because they are unlike metals, which have typical properties. The properties of plastic polymers can be altered to suit the application or machining requirements.
Popular Plastic Resins Used in Commercial and Industrial Applications
Over the last few decades, plastic has become an integral part of our life. Here is a brief on different types of plastic polymers used to produce various plastic parts.
- Polyethylene: This is the most commonly used type of plastic and finds many applications in everyday life. The plastic is available in various densities such as low, medium, high, and ultra-high.
- Polyester Terephthalate: This plastic resin is commonly known as PET and is used to store solid foods as well as liquids. It is recyclable and shatter proof.
- Nylon or Polyamide: This is a common and durable synthetic material used in ropes, fabrics, automobile tires, and so on.
- Polystyrene: This synthetic resin is a polymerized version of styrene. It is used to make disposable food plates, cups, and spoons. It is also used in other plastic and rubber products to add hardness.
- Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP): With their high tensile strength and chemical resistance, these polymers find applications in various electrical and mechanical components such as plugs, sockets, and sensors as well as food containers.
- Acetal: Scientifically known as polyoxymethylene, it is a thermoplastic material and finds applications in electronic devices and automobiles.
- Acrylic: This is a shatter proof plastic material and is used as an alternative to glass doors and partitions. Its impact resistance is also high.
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): This is commonly used in pipes, fixtures, and other construction materials. It can be recycled in various ways.
- Polycarbonate: This is very tough, transparent, and impact resistant material. It is used in sunglasses and DVDs among other things.
All said and done, plastics would continue to be used in various sectors because of the advantages they offer over metals, especially in high performance resins, electrical and electronic equipment, moldings and other industrial components. The plastics are machined in several ways such as over molding, injection molding, micro plastic machining, etc.
Over the years, plastic injection molding has emerged as one of the most popular techniques of plastic machining. There are many plastic injection molding service providers in the US. It is important that you approach a trusted injection molding services such as Veejay Plastic. The company provides injection molding and custom molding of plastic parts to its clients in electric and electronics, hardware, automotive, and OEM industries.
