Plastic application

In practically every industry, including packaging, building and construction, textiles, consumer goods, transportation, electrical and electronic equipment, and industrial machinery, Plastic is used. In this article, let’s see the comparison between plastic and metal, then we introduce the what advantage plastic have. Finally, we talk about the commonly plastic manufacture methods.

Plastic vs Metal. What Is Better For Parts?

According to conventional thinking, metal is preferable to plastic for use in manufacturing parts. Manufacturers are starting to realize that’s no longer the case, though. Modern plastics have tensile strengths that are on par with those of metal thanks to the introduction of new sophisticated materials. Plastics have become stronger, but they have also kept their advantages of being lighter, more flexible, and resistant to corrosion.

Plastic components can be as durable as metal.

Plastics can be engineered to have physical and chemical properties that are superior to those of metal. And with the right part design, plastic components can potentially outperform metal components in terms of performance. Features that boost strength, such as gussets, ribs, and bosses, can be molded into the part when it is created if greater strength is required. However, fastening, welding, and gluing are aspects that need to be added once the metal object is created.

Plastic’s advantage

By using plastic to replace metal in some case can make significant financial savings.

Manufacturers who switch from metal to plastic might expect savings of between 25 and 50 percent. The following factors make this feasible:

1) A plastic part can be made from several metal parts. Fasteners, assembly, and production time are all reduced as a result. If more than one piece is needed, the plastic components can be made to snap together, obviating the need for fasteners and cutting down on assembly time.

2) The metal needs to be ground, welded, and given dent and scratch resistance. Such measures are not necessary for plastics.

3) Instead of painting, color can be added to the melt. It is also simple to include textures.

4) Reduced costs for packaging and delivery

Other advantages include high dimensional stability, tight tolerances, high strength-to-weight performance, improved product performance, and an average tool life of up to six times longer.

Common techniques to produce plastic articles

1. Plastic Injection Molding

By melting thermosetting/thermoplastic polymer resin and inject it into a mould for forming, this is the process of plastic injection Molding. It is a method of mass production. Once the resin has cooled and set, the mold opens, releasing the finished plastic object.

More than 80% of the everyday plastic goods we come across are produced using plastic injection molding, which has established itself as a dependable and stable high-volume production technique.

A number of frequently used goods are produced using injection molding. You can find many injection-molded things if you look around your desk, office, or house, including bottle caps, remote casings, dashboard panel, automotive bumper, and the majority of plastic-made items.

The use of plastic by injection molders results in reduced manufacturing costs, quicker production speeds, more stable material costs, more design flexibility, and less scrap material to deal with.

2. Extrusion Molding

What is plastic extrusion moulding?

Extrusion molding involves pushing molten material through a die chamber to create an extruded shape. Extrusion molding is only to be used to create two-dimensional products. It’s common used in architectural material industry.

What are the benefits ?

low price. The likelihood of an inventory shortage is decreased by the continuous operation of plastic extrusion machines. Additionally, 24-hour manufacturing is possible.

Greater adaptability

Extrusion molding will give manufacturers of items with a consistent cross section a great deal of versatility. The extrusion molding process is capable of creating complicated shapes as long as the cross section remains constant.

Limitations on Items: There are several restrictions on the products that can be produced using extrusion plastic molding. Alternatives exist, but they involve spending money on a new kind of extrusion machinery.

3. Blow Molding

Air pressure causes the hollow plastic to expand into the mold or extrusion shape, leaving the interior of the product hollow. This method is very similar to plastic extrusion and injection molding. It is normally used to produce cheap containers like bottles, cups, and beakers in large quantities. So, there are 2 type of blow molding defined by the blow molding process.

The kind of products that IBM(Injection Blow Molding) and EBM(Extrusion Blow Molding) produce is the main distinction between them. IBM is frequently used to create more substantial pieces, such as kitchen and bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances, and other substantial elements. EBM is utilized in the meantime to produce more hollow objects, such as bottles and other containers. Due to the way the product is created, extrusion blow molding can produce more intricate shapes. However, rapid and precise production of vast quantities of high-quality parts is possible with injection molding.

Summary:

Manufacturers are now using plastic instead of metal whenever possible. To determine whether this is the best course of action for your business, you must first study and comprehend the end-use application. Material evaluations and analyses, manufacturing viability, economic viability, environmental conditions, and more are other factors.

The DE-PLAST is available to assist. We have the engineering knowledge necessary to study, test, and come to the best conclusions.