We carry a selection of thermoplastic resins that are suitable for use with our benchtop injection molders, including:
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Polypropylene (PP)
Polystyrene (PS)
F.A.Q: Are other types of plastics suitable?
Other types of plastics (i.e. resins) may also be suitable. However, because there are so many different GRADES (i.e. variations) on the market, we cannot broadly state that any overall "type" of plastic is suitable. When choosing a thermoplastic resin, one important consideration is to make sure the temperature required to process it is within the capability of the benchtop molder (i.e. 600 F max.). Another important consideration is the melt flow rating (MFR) of that particular grade. Grades that are formulated to have a high MFR usually work best in our hand-operated machines because less injection force is required to make them flow. Yet another determining factor is the size and shape of the part you want to inject. In other words, one particular grade of plastic may flow well enough to inject a small part with simple geometry, but not flow well enough to completely fill the mold cavity of a larger part with many intricate pathways. Resin pellet manufacturers will often carry a range of grades for each type of plastic they sell. So, if one grade doesn’t flow well enough to make your part, you may be able to find a similar grade that flows better, offered by that same manufacturer. The downside of selecting a grade with a higher melt flow rating (MFR), is that it sometimes it decreases other desired physical attributes of the plastic, such as its strength, rigidity, toughness, etc. So, it's often a trade-off, finding a grade that flows well enough to make your part, but still has the physical characteristics you require in the finished part. Another thing to be aware of is that some types of plastics are also inherently more difficult to inject than others. So, what is considered “high flow” for one TYPE of plastic might still not flow nearly as well as a “high flow” grade of another TYPE of plastic. The website www.matweb.com has a large database of technical information available for many different resins on the market.
