1. ABS

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a thermoplastic synthetic polymer resin that is well balanced and can be tailored to specific needs. Its main physical properties are: hard and solid. ASS brand resins are flexible like elastomers (or rubber). Among them, polybutadiene provides good compressive strength, amorphous styrene thermoplastics make ABS easier to process (flow easier in mold), and acrylonitrile improves strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance.

Effective control of these three components allows designer to define degree of elasticity according to needs of final product. Perhaps because of this, ABS can be widely used in household and white products. While not as strong as other engineering polymers, it is cost effective.

Material properties:

It can also maintain good low temperature compressive strength, high hardness, high mechanical strength, good wear resistance, low specific gravity and relative heating index up to 80°C. It can also maintain good dimensional stability at high temperatures. , fire protection and easy process Gloss Good strength, easy to paint and relatively low cost compared to other thermoplastics. Low cost, multiple production methods, good chemical resistance, high surface hardness, scratch resistance, good structural stability, high compression resistance, excellent structural strength and hardness.

Typical usage:

Consumer electronics, toys, environmental products, car dashboards, door panels, exterior grilles.

Main technology:

Steel mold injection, injection mold, TPO injection mold

2. Polypropylene (PP)

PP's design work is not limited to creating beautiful shapes and perfect functions, but often aims to find ways to reduce price of individual products and processing costs while avoiding mass production. Simply put, it is to find a product that is suitable for large scale production; use large-scale production to reduce unit cost and at same time do not require large investments and large production volumes to meet large-scale production.

It is used in all aspects of product design, from packaging and lighting to interior decoration. However, people have not been able to fully apply this material in the thermoforming process.

Material properties:

Multiple transparency and color options, low density, high temperature resistance, good hardness, balance of strength and toughness, simple and flexible processing methods, excellent chemical resistance

Typical usage:

Furniture, packaging, lighting, food packaging, napkins, folders, note boxes

Main technology:

Injection molding

3. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)

Acrylic was first developed in 1930s when it was primarily used in safety glass rotators. Acrylic was first registered in 1934 and is known as plexiglass. Transparency and lightness are perfectly combined, which makes it an interesting new plastic. By 1960s, this material was being discovered by avant-garde furniture designers and applied to interiors, such as contemporary furniture.

Because acrylic is available in a variety of colors, its functionality has naturally expanded from lighting to making signage for companies. All international brands now use this material for signage. The acrylic surface is hard and recognizable as glass from a distance. It can be made into thin sheets by injection molding and extrusion to meet requirements of various applications. Cast acrylic flakes can be used as high quality glass and are suitable for mass production.

The high molecular weight makes it very strong, flexible and easy to handle and manufacture. This method of casting production is ideal for large productions and painting small batches. Extruded flakes have a lower molecular weight, so they are easier to pump. The extrusion molding process provides excellent thickness stability to product and also makes it very cheap to mass produce.

Material properties:

A variety of production and processing methods, easy processing of various transparent, translucent and opaque materials and colors, surface effects to choose from, excellent chemical and weather resistance, excellent chemical and weather resistance, high excellent printing adhesion, fully recyclable, excellent visual transparency, special color creativity and matching, high surface hardness and good durability.

Typical usage:

Signs for retail, interior items, furniture, lighting, glazing.

Main technology:

Injection molding

4. Cellulose acetate (CA)

Cellulose acetate products are warm to touch, sweat-resistant and self-luminous, traditional polymer in vibrant colors and syrupy clarity. It has been developed since beginning of 20th century, even earlier than insulating Bakelite. Cellulose acetate is also one of most recognizable polymers due to its marble effect, which is often used in products such as tool handles, eyeglass frames and hair clips.

Using it as a material for hand tools can combine excellent pressure resistance and good hand feel. Other materials such as polypropylene are more resistant to compression but feel slippery. The self-lightening component of cellulose acetate material is due to its softness, and small scratches on surface can be wiped off. It contains cotton and wood (cellulose) components and can be molded by injection molding, transfer molding and extrusion. You can also buy it in flakes.

Material properties:

Low thermal conductivity, flexible production, various visual effects, excellent fluidity, good surface gloss, good electrical insulation, anti-static, intrinsic brightness, high transparency, strong pressure resistance, unique surface vision, materials can be recycled

Typical usage:

Tool handles, hairpins, toys, goggles and helmets, eyeglass frames, toothbrushes, cutlery handles, combs, photo negatives

Main technology:

Steel die casting

5. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

PET is commonly used for food and soft drink packaging. However, PET is not suitable for beer due to its thermal sensitivity to oxygen and carbon dioxide. The plastic bottle has a total of 5 layers, and two layers sandwiched in main PET layer are oxygen corrosive substances, which can prevent oxygen from entering and exiting. Miller Brewing Company, which produced first plastic beer bottle in 2000, claims that plastic bottles keep beer colder than aluminum cans, even as well as glass cans, and they can be resealed and cannot be broken.

Material properties:

Recyclable (PET is one of most recyclable plastic resins), excellent chemical resistance, hardness and durability, excellent surface quality, good resistance to compression

Typical usage:

Food packaging, electronics, soft drink bottles, Miller beer bottles

Main technology:

Injection blow molding

6. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

PVC can be one of most widely used plastic materials, from plastic doors and windows in everyday life to water pipes, gutters, shoes, cable insulation, toys, injection molding products, bright casings, extrusion products, icing, packaging, credit cards. Wait, it can be found almost everywhere, and PVC material is also one of cheapest plastic materials.

Material properties:

Elastic, easy to color, available in different hardness, can be extruded, molded and blown, can be reinforced with glass cellulose, can keep its properties at low temperatures, can be printed, recycled, has good tear and abrasion resistance, good durability to the sun and sea water, good resistance to oils and chemicals

Typical usage:

Food packaging, electronics, soft drink bottles, Miller beer bottles

Main technology:

Injection molding, blow molding or extrusion

7. Polyurethane technology (PU)

A skin-like material that breathes and stretches, yet can be shaped in various thicknesses. These properties were first used in medical and orthopedic industries as cushioning materials for hospital patients. Technoge is one of those materials that has been experimentally applied to new and more general areas of interior design.

Technoge is a combination of liquid and hardness at same time. The product can be obtained by pouring a liquid into a mold, ie into which other substances can be easily added. In sheet state, shape of material can be obtained by embossing or cutting. The advantage over water-based or silicone-based gels is that they do not contain plasticizers, i.e. material does not lose its basic properties over time. It is only gel that does not crack, harden or age.

Material properties:

Good pressure distribution, air permeability (good absorption and release), strong recovery ability, easy to mix with decorative materials, strong shock absorption, strong pressure absorption, adjustable hardness, high elasticity, no fading, can be pasted, does not irritate skin and can be injected

Typical usage:

Bicycle seats, orthopedic seat cushions, insoles, office chairs, tennis racket handles

Main technology:

Injection molding, embossing, cutting

8. Silicone polymer

In 1943, Scottish engineer James Wright used test tubes to test mixtures in laboratory of General Electric Company in Connecticut, USA. He accidentally mixed boric acid and silicone oil to "polymerize" them. Wright tossed some on floor, sucking sticky mixture out of vial. Surprisingly, substance bounced off floor, and an elastic putty was born.

Wright set out to find a practical use for his invention, and finally SillPutty™ Playdough made its debut at New York International Toy Festival in 1950. After persistent efforts, some major toy distributors have decided to distribute SillPuttyTM, and rest are well known.

Material properties:

Progressively flattened by gravitational force of earth at a rebound rate of 80% (relative to position it was thrown from), an expanding compound that is solid and retains its shape when pressure is applied rapidly. liquid and easy to mold, and cooling can increase bouncing property. It can float on surface of water after turning into a boat, and sink after turning into a spherical shape. It is non-toxic, non-irritating, and very elastic. Various colors are available.

Typical usage:

No other apps at moment

Main technology:

Injection molding

9. Polycarbonate (PC)

Polycarbonate (PC) as a modern material, application of polycarbonate in this product is to interpret typical object and shape. The immediate reference for this design could be wooden staircase you found in your grandmother's basement. Instead of wood, this piece is made from another modern material, perfect for this function.

Polycarbonate is as strong as other polymers, yet lightweight and available in a variety of colors and finishes. A member of a relatively young family of thermoplastics, polycarbonate, like many other plastic materials, was accidentally discovered by American company General Electric (GE) in early 1950s. This material is known for its ultra-clearness and strength and is often used in place of glass in clear, glossy and other applications.

Material properties:

Can provide a range of colors Good transparency, simple processing procedure Very good impact resistance Can achieve fully transparent, translucent and opaque appearance Even at high temperatures, its dimensional stability is also very high High temperature resistance up to 125C Fire resistance, radiation-resistant, durable, recyclable, non-toxic

Typical usage:

Safety helmets, goggles, lightweight CD cases, kitchen utensils, computer cases, architectural glass windows, mobile phone cases

Main technology:

Injection molding

10. Bakelite

Albert Laminet was founded in Bra, Italy in 1957. Since then, company has been at forefront of sheet innovation, including 1987 with DIAFOS, first transparent sheet. The company collaborated with some of most famous designers of 20th century, including Memphis Company and Alchemia Design Studio, and is known for exploring texture of product surfaces. Color Layers is a unique product created by Albert Laminet that explores both functionality and visual craftsmanship at edges of products.

Sheets consist of two layers of material and are available in standard thicknesses. The middle part consists of several layers of paper filled with aminoplast resin. Decorative paper surface filled with melamine-formaldehyde resin. Abbott uses decorative layer as base material of "color layer" product. The edges of product can be sanded for exclusive finishing details.

Material properties:

High abrasion resistance, high impact resistance, excellent moisture resistance, easy to stick, good resistance to water and steam, easy to clean, good dimensional stability, high wear resistance, edge. The surface is highly decorative and more economical than other materials. with a harder surface

Typical usage:

Office furniture, interior and exterior panels, floors, outdoor furniture, countertops

Main technology:

Injection molding, blow molding or extrusion

11. Polystyrene (PS)

Polystyrene, like many other polymers, was discovered by accident. Styrene was discovered in mid 1800s but was not used commercially until 1930s. There are also polymers such as ABS, SAN, SMA and ASA in related styrene family. Today, is one of most widely used plastic materials.

Material properties:

Good transparency, high strength, simple process, easy to color, cheaper than other resins, high transparency, strong water and moisture resistance, high dimensional stability

Typical usage:

Packaging, toys, hangers, household goods, electronics, mold boxes, disposable cups

Main technology:

Injection molding

12. Elastomer (TPE)

TPE has processing properties of thermoplastics and feels like rubber. TPE is a genus of thermoplastic synthetic rubber family, including TPO (thermoplastic wax) and TPS (thermoplastic styrene). These are engineering polymers that provide strength and stiffness in most cases. TDE molds are usually injection molding, blow molding or extrusion molding.

Material properties:

Elastic, easy to color, available in different hardness, can be extruded, molded and blown, can be reinforced with glass cellulose, can keep its properties at low temperatures, can be printed, recycled, has good tear and abrasion resistance, good durability to the sun and sea water, good resistance to oils and chemicals

Main technology:

Injection molding, blow molding or extrusion