Five Unique and Functional Plastics used by Plastic Prototype Manufacturers

When evaluating a supplier for plastic prototype service, it is to your advantage to inquire about which plastics are commonly used in their operations. As no two materials process precisely the same, experience with the processing parameters for the given material is extremely helpful. The following are five plastics commonly used both in the prototyping and production plastic process across a range of industries.

1. Polyethylene terephthalate – Commonly referred to by the acronym PET, this plastic ranks as one of the best for prototyping plastic bottles and containers. Not only is PET shatterproof, but it also has an excellent moisture barrier, is perfect for a host of applications as a fiber material, and is recyclable. For these reasons, PET is often the preferred plastic for the bottling and packaging industry.
2. Polypropylene – Not only is polypropylene one of the most commonly used plastic for a wide range of injection vowin.cn/en/News/news1251.html' target='_blank'>vowin.cn/' target='_blank'>molding, many people consider it to be one of the most versatile and economical choices available. Because it is compatible with a range of additives including glass fiber and talc filler, it can be formulated in an impressive range of mechanical and thermal properties.
3. Polyvinyl Chloride – Known as PVC, this plastic is ideal for making prototypes used for residential and commercial property construction. Experts use PVC for prototyping electrical wiring insulation, vinyl siding, plumbing, and more. The primary benefits of this plastic include brittleness, rigidity, flexibility, and excellent strength.
4. Acrylic – Although acrylic prototypes are perfect for a variety of applications, it is most beneficial for transparent products. Applications such as automotive lenses, optic lenses, and light pipes are common due to its excellent clarity, polish-ability, and index of refraction. Along with its transparency, acrylic resists scratches and is difficult to shatter as compared to glass.
5. Nylon – Nylon is a synthetic thermoplastic linear polyamide, perfect for making prototypes of parts and components that require strength, chemical resistance, and higher heat deflections. These characteristics combined with abrasion resistance and impact strength, and put nylon in high demand for the automotive, aviation, marine, and aerospace industries for functional and structural components. Nylon is also commonly formulated in both natural and glass reinforced grades offering differing levels of strength, stiffness, and thermal resistance.

As a leader among prototype manufacturing companies and automotive parts suppliers, at Vowin, we use only the highest-quality plastics for our prototyping and finished products. You can learn about our business and the full range of services provided by visiting us online or calling today.