What Plastics Can Be Injection Molded?

What plastics can be injection molded? That's a long list! Simply put, almost all thermoplastics can be injection molded. To consumers, the most common plastics that can be injection molded may be PP, PS, and ABS, etc. Below is a sum-up:

1. PC/ABS blends

That is, the blends of the two types of plastic: polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer. The typical applications of such plastic include, but not limited to: computer housings, electrical appliances, garden machines, automotive parts /dashboards, vehicle tire fenders, etc. 

2. PC/PBT Mixture

Mixture of polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate. Mainly used for injection of products that require chemical and corrosion resistance, thermal stability, impact resistance and geometrical stability, such as car bumpers, gear boxes, etc. 

3. HDPE (high-density polyethylene)

Typical applications: refrigerator/freezer bins, storage containers, household kitchenware, sealing lids, etc. 

4. LDPE (low-density polyethylene)

Typical applications: bowls, cabinets, pipe couplings, etc. 

5. PEI (polyetherimide)

It’s an amorphous, amber-to-transparent thermoplastic. Applications: automotive industry (engine parts such as temperature sensors, fuel and air processors, etc.), electrical appliances and electronic equipment (electrical couplings, printed circuit boards, chip housings, explosion-proof boxes, etc.), product packaging, Aircraft internal equipment, medical industry (surgical instruments, tool housings, non-implantable instruments). 

6. ABS plastic 

It is synthesized from three chemical monomers of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. It's also one of the most common engineering plastics. ABS has excellent chemical & electrical properties, it‘s resistant to heat, impact, low temperature and chemicals. It's suitable for making general mechanical parts, wear-reducing and -resistant components, transmission parts and outdoor waterproof watch boxes, etc. Besides, because of its good dimension stability, ABS plastic is often used for 3D printing.

7. PA6 (Polyamide 6 or Nylon 6)

With good mechanical strength and rigidity, it is widely used in structural components. It’s also used to make bearings thanks to its good wear resistance. 

8. PA66 (Polyamide 66 or Nylon 66)

Compared with PA6, PA66 is more widely used in the automotive industry, instrument housings and other products that require impact resistance and high strength. 

9. PBT (polybutylene terephthalate)

PBT is one of the toughest engineering thermoplastic materials. It is a semi-crystalline material with very good chemical stability, mechanical strength, electrical insulation properties and thermal stability. Applications include: household appliances (food processing blades, vacuum cleaner components, electric fans, hair dryer housings, coffee utensils, etc.), electrical components (switches, motor housings, fuse boxes , computer keyboard keys, etc.), automotive industry (radiator grille, body panel, wheel cover, door and window components, etc.). 

10. PC (polycarbonate)

Typical applications: electrical and commercial equipment (computer components, connectors, etc.), appliances (food processors, refrigerator drawers, etc.), transportation industry (vehicle front and rear lights, dashboard, etc.). 

11. PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)

PET is the most common thermoplastic polymer in the polyester family. Typical applications include: automotive industry (structural devices such as mirror boxes, electrical components such as headlight reflectors, etc.), electrical components (motor housings, electrical couplings, relays, switches, microwave ovens Internal device). Industrial applications (pump housings, manual instruments, etc.). Due to its property of high tenacity, it's also widely used for synthetic fabrics.

12. PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate)

Typical applications: Automotive industry (signal lights, instrument panels and other temperatures, then transparent products can also be obtained using non-filled PET materials.

 

13. POM (polyoxymethylene)

Also known as acetal, polyacetal, and polyformaldehyde. POM has a very low friction coefficient and good geometric stability, especially suitable for the production of gears and bearings. Because it has high temperature resistance, it is also used in piping devices (valves, pump housings), lawn equipment, etc. 

14. PP (polypropylene)

PP is one of the plastic that relates most closely with our life. It's widely used in many industries: automotive industry (mainly using PP with metal additives: fenders, ventilation pipes, fans, etc.), appliances (dishwasher door liners, dryer ventilation pipes, washing machine frames and covers, refrigerators Door pads, etc.), daily consumer goods (lawn and garden equipment such as lawnmowers and sprinklers, water bottles, jewelry cases, etc.). PP material can work with hot runner system. 

15. PPE(polyphenylene ether)

Also known as PPO (polyphenylene oxide). Typical applications: household appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and other electrical equipment like controller housings and fiber optic connectors. 

16. PS (Polystyrene)

It has high transparency. Typical applications: product packaging, household items, tableware, trays, etc., electrical (transparent containers, light source diffusers, insulating films, etc.). 

17. PA12 (polyamide 12 or nylon 12)

Typical applications: water meters and other commercial equipment, cable sleeves, mechanical cams, sliding mechanisms and bearings. 

18. PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

Water supply pipes, domestic pipes, house wall panels, commercial machine housings, electronic product packaging, medical equipment, food packaging, etc. 

19. SA (styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers)

Mostly common articles out of plastic injection molding from SA include electrical sockets, housings, household commodities, kitchen appliances, refrigerator devices, TV bases, cassette boxes, etc., automotive industry (headlight box, reflective environment, instrument panel, etc.), household items (tableware, food knives, etc.), and cosmetics packaging, etc.