Plastic Materials: A Complete Guide On Plastic Fabrication Methods

The use of plastic materials in industries continues to gain momentum and popularity. Industries gear more towards plastics due to their versatility and low energy consumption in the fabrication process. 

Plastic fabrication refers to the method of manufacturing, designing, or assembling products made from plastic. As a result of the various polymer options in plastic materials, the plastics can be molded in any form or shape and used for multiple purposes. 

When it comes to plastic fabrication, you have to use different methods to achieve other products. This article provides a clear outline of the varying plastic fabrication processes you can adopt in your industry.

Injection Moulding

Injection molding is the standard process used in the fabrication of plastics. The process uses a molt to solidifying molten plastic materials into the desired shape. If you are looking into the mass production of plastic products, injection molding can save you time and money.

In molding, it is recommendable for you to use aluminum mold instead of steel. The aluminum mold results in an efficient transfer of heat compared to its counterpart, eliminating the need for a cooling process. 

Vacuum Casting

In vacuum casting, the process mimics the injection molding process. The contrasting difference is that the process uses a vacuum to make rubber components and plastic.

The advantage of this process is that it results in a high-quality product with a smooth surface finish. Vacuum casting is highly efficient if you're looking into the selection of rapid prototype processes.

Blow Molding

A second popular process in plastic fabrication services is blow molding. The process works by using thermoplastic plastic pellets that are heated to form hollow plastic parts. Standard plastic materials that you can use in this process are co-polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, or polystyrene. 

As an initial step, the process melts the thermoplastic pellets into parisons (hollow tubes). You can use three different approaches to create the parison: injection blow molding, stretch mold molding, or extrusion blow molding. 

Thermoforming

Thermoforming is a simplified process of vacuum casting. A thin sheet of plastic material is heated at high enough temperatures to allow molding and stretching. The sheet is then subjected to force to create a suitable shape. The shape is then cut and cooled. 

Thermoforming is a highly versatile and efficient process. You can use it in the fabrication of medical equipment or disposable plastic cups.

Conclusion

The plastic fabrication process plays a role in reducing climate change. Plastics are products that can be recycled to reduce the global burden of pollution. You must consult different plastic fabrication services for the selection of the fitting process applicable to your industry. Talk to a plastic fabrication service to learn more.