When it comes down to meeting the weight and deflection demands specified by an application, sometimes metals just don’t cut it. Thermoplastics can be the solution for the problem.
Thermoplastics melt when heated and harden when cooled. This allows the forming of a broad range of specific shapes that retains the shape after cooling. Along with that, there are several other advantages that thermoplastics provide.
The Advantages of Thermoplastics
1. Flexibility
Thermoplastics are, by definition, highly flexible. When using thermoplastics, parts are used to heat the materials until their pliable, then molding them into the desired shape and size. The materials can be formed into detailed, consistent, and complex parts.
The flexibility and consistency of the materials make using thermoplastics highly effective in any process that involves heat molding. Additionally, precise forming can occur without sacrificing the strength or durability of the material—one of the unique advantages of thermoplastics.
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2. Durability
Like many plastic materials, thermoplastics are lightweight and malleable, but an outstanding advantage of thermoplastics is impressive durability. Not only are they chemically resistant, stain resistant, and strong enough to replace some metal parts, but they’re also more customizable than many metal alternatives.
Durability and customizable shaping are a difficult combination to find without sacrificing one or the other. Yet thermoplastics effectively fit this niche.
3. Aesthetics
The method of melting and forming allow the materials to be evenly distributed when colors are added, keeping designs consistent. This means that high volumes of products can be made with high precision, all while keeping the design consistent and colors static.
Thermoplastics can easily achieve all of these goals and more, and are great for plastic material products that need to be made in various quantities and a wide arrange of sizes.
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4. Recyclability
Flexibility, durability, and aesthetic value are all great features, and recyclability is the icing on top of the cake. Plastic scrap from trimming thermoformed or vacuum formed parts can be ground up, melted, extruded, and formed into new parts again.
Not only does this assist with reducing harmful environmental impact, but it also helps to save cost for our customers.
Connect with Thermoplastics Experts Today
With the undeniable advantages thermoplastics offer for your manufacturing process, there’s always questions or concerns that are left in the air. For all your plastic material molding needs, the materials experts at Industrial Custom Products are here to help you. Learn how the advantages of thermoplastics can work for you. Contact us or call us at (612) 781-2255 today!
Industrial Custom Products is a one-stop-shop for custom manufacturing and plastic fabrication, including: prototyping and product development, die cutting and dieless knife cutting, thermoforming and vacuum forming, large part thermoforming, CNC plastic routing, fabrication and assembly and drape forming.
