Clear Plastic Injection Molding - Make My Clear Plastic Part In China 2024?
Clear plastic parts like water bottles or food grade storage products, these products need more attention to detail and stricter processing than non clear plastic injection molding. Every clear polymer has different properties which impact manufacturers’ decision which include different level of strength needs, temperature and chemical resistance. UV radiation cause degradation in outdoor equipment using clear plastic parts. So, it is important to understand the clear plastic materials 2024.
Acrylic
Acrylic is one of the most widely used clear plastic injection molding materials in outdoor equipment. Acrylic is UV resistant, clarity, non-toxic and scratch resistance. Acrylic has ability to distribute additive applications like colorants throughout the products during injection molding process. It is an ideal material when it comes to producing light fixtures, retail displays, color lenses and more. The disadvantages of acrylic are that it is brittle and inflexible. So, acrylic is not suitable for products undergoing high pressure. Acrylic absorbs moisture so it needs drying the plastic.
High density polyethylene
High density polyethylene is a common thermoplastic. It is created by applying high heat and pressure to petroleum. Like acrylic, HDPF is UV resistant. It sports versatility. HDPE can be molded into different shapes. High density polyethylene is low cost. So, HDPE is the popular material used in mass production of bottles, pipes and containers. Compared to acrylic, high-density polyethylene is more pressure resistant. It is susceptible to high pressure damage.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is impact resistant and expensive. It is clear and UV resistant. Polycarbonate is strong and less affected by extreme temperature. Polycarbonate is used to produce safety goggles, helmets, shields, heavy-dusty containers and safety window. Polycarbonate absorb moisture, making drying the resin before injection molding process.
Polyetherimide
Polyetherimide is widely used in industrial, chemical, and mechanical parts. Polyetherimide is UV resistant. It is able to withstand intense pressure and heat. When polyetherimide contact with acids, it can maintain it chemical stability. As polyetherimide can tolerate extreme temperature and repetitive force, it is often used to produce automotive, electrical and medical, heat shields, temperature sensors, aerospace engine parts and more.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is widely used in clear plastic injection molding to make container, packaging and textiles. It is highly flexible. PP is an ideal material to make non-loadbearing products. In textile industry, PP is used in making waterproof bags, totes and gear. PP will not react with acids. It is often used in container for corrosive materials like solvents. Polypropylene is high electrical resistant.
Choosing the right materials for your clear plastic parts depends on the functional performance requirement for your projects. When evaluation the conditions your projects, there are many material properties you need to consider. Here at TEAM Rapid, our engineers will help customers to determine the right clear material for your clear plastic parts. If you have any question about clear injection molding projects, contact us today.
Strategies for clear injection molding
1. Choose the right mold steel to make clear injection molding mold.
Choosing high quality stainless steel for core and cavity is important if you want to have mirror polishing on cavity and core of injection mold forclear plastic parts. If you want above SPI A3 polishing, ASSAB S136 or NAK80 steel is needed. If the mold life or production capacity is over 300,000 shots, ASSAB S136 is needed. If you need the polishing around SPI A3 or even lower, FINKL 420 or China LKM 420 steel is ideal. If the mold life is less than 300,000 shots, LKM 420 steel is suitable.
2. Choose the best injection molding factory to create the mold for clear plastic injection molding
A professional plastic mold manufacturer should have experience for rapid manufacturing and injection mold creating for clear plastic parts. When you choose an injection molding factory, you’d better have the factories to show their study case for clear plastic mold creating. In China, most of the mold make is outsourcing for mirror polishing.
3. Have the right draft angle for clear plastic parts
If there is not enough draft angel for clear plastic part, it is easy to scratch during the process of clear plastic injection molding. If there was scratched marks, mirror polishing process is needed again. If mirror polishing can not solve the problems, you have to change your product design with big draft.
4. Have less ribs on the design
It is hard to polish the plastic rib as its small gap for polishing operator. It is hard to work. So, optimizing plastic part design to reduce ribs is important. For clear plastic parts, consider to have insert for the thin rib, there is venting for the ribs, it is easy to have the resin to fill the gap to form ribs.
5. Choose suitable plastic injection machine
When creating thin wall clear plastic molding, high speed injection machine is ideal. If creating clear plastic molding, hydraulic injection machine is better. High servo motor with smaller injection screw is easy to shot thick wall clear plastic parts.
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