How to Comparing Injection Molding Materials- Taizhou Kelong Plastic Mould Co., Ltd.

Theres so many differents types of materials for use when consideration, so we organized the materials difference for you to choose.

Injection Molding Materials
Resin Type	Benefits	Applications	Considerations
POM or Acetal (Polyoxymethylene)	Tough, stiff, hard, and strong. Good lubricity and resistance to hydrocarbons and organic solvents. Good elasticity, slippery. Low creep. Great fatigue properties.	Gears, pumps and pump impellers, conveyor links, soap dispensers, fan and blower blades, automotive switches, electrical switch components, buttons, and knobs.	Due to shrink, you need uniform wall thickness. Painting, coating, and achieving high-cosmetic finish difficult.
PMMA or Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate)	Good optical properties, high gloss, scratch resistant. Low shrink, Less sink in geometries with thin and thick sections.	Light pipes, lenses, light shades, optical fibers, signs.	Can be brittle. PC is a good alternative. Draft always required, sometimes twice as much as other materials. Poor chemical resistance.
ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)	Tough, impact- and chemical-resistant, low shrink, high dimensional stability, inexpensive	Cosmetic parts, handheld devices, housings, and moldings for electrical tools, remote controls, computers, telephone components	Show knit lines and can have sink and voids in thick areas. You might be able to reduce sink by switching to an ABS/PC-blend.
HDPE (High-density polyethylene)	Tough, impact- and chemical-resistant, high shrink, low dimensional stability, inexpensive, density less than water (floats)	Lawn furniture, totes, containers, toys, gas cans	High shrink, low surface energy
PC (Polycarbonate)	Strong, extremely impact resistant, low shrink, good dimensional stability and heat resistance, accepts high cosmetic finishes well	Lenses, indoor and outdoor lighting, cell phone housings, electrical components, medical devices, bulletproof glass.	Possible sensitivities in thick sections of parts could cause voids, bubbles, and sink. Poor chemical resistance. An ABS/PC blend is a good alternative for opaque parts with these issues Acrylic is another option for parts with thick geometries.
ABS/PC	Strength, heat and low-temperature resistance, improved processing,	Automotive, electronic, telecommunications	Improved thick molding and mechanical properties compared to just ABS or PC. Lower cost than PC.
PP (Polypropylene)	Inexpensive, higher impact resistance in some grades, PP homopolymer can be brittle in cold. Wear resistant, flexible with high elongation. Resistant to acids and bases. Density less than water (floats)	Integral hinges or living hinges, fans, snap-over lids (e.g., shampoo bottle tops), medical pipette tubing	Thick sections in part geometry can void or show sink marks. Shrink and warp possible. If the part has living hinges that require higher stiffness, K-Resin is a good alternative.
Polystyrene (PS)	high optic clarity, good electric insulator	plastic utensils, containers, optics, toys	brittle, poor UV resistance, very susceptible to hydrocarbon solvents
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone)	High-temperature, high-performance, flame retardant; excellent strength and dimensional stability, good chemical resistance	Bearings, piston parts and pumps; cable insulation; compatible with ultra-high vacuum applications.	High-performance material, very expensive. Ultem (outlined below) is a slightly less-costly option, and PPSU is worth considering if price is a concern.
PEI or Ultem (Polyetherimide)	High-temperature, high-performance, flame retardant, excellent strength and dimensional stability, good chemical resistance.	Medical and chemical instrumentation; tableware and catering; HVAC and fluid handling; electrical and lighting.	Very expensive, though not as costly as PEEK. Look at PPSU as a possible alternative.
PPSU (Polyphenylsulfone)	High-temperature tolerance, dimensionally stable, high toughness. Resistance to radiation sterilization, as well as alkalis and weak acids	Medical instrument components, sterilization trays, automotive fuses, interior aircraft parts, hot water fittings, sockets, and connectors.	Thick sections could result in voids, bubbles or sink. Organic solvents and hydrocarbons can also attack PPSU. Colorant cannot be added to Protolabs-supplied PPSU resins
PA (Aliphatic Polyamides)	Wide variety. High strength and temperature tolerance when reinforced. Chemically resistant except to strong bases or acids	Thin-walled features, combs, spools, gears and bearings, screws, structural parts (with glass), pump parts, under-hood components, cameras.	Some nylons can be susceptible to warp due to non-linear shrink. Absorbs moisture, causing issues.
PPA (Semi-aromatic Polyamides)	less susceptible to moisture than aliphatic polyamides	automtive housings, modules, valves, sports equipment	susceptible to warp
PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate)	Good electrical properties for power components and works well for automotive applications. Moderate to high strength depending on glass fill. Unfilled grades are tough and flexible. Good resistance to fuels, oils, fats, and many solvents. Doesn’t absorb flavors. Low creep.	Slide bearings, gears and cams; coffee makers and toasters; hair dryer nozzles; vacuum cleaners; handles and knobs for electrical cookers.	Glass-filled PBT resins are prone to warp, and have poor resistance to acids, bases, and hydrocarbons. Thin parts hard to fill with PBT. Nylons are good alternatives.
PET (Polyethylene Terephtalate)	similar to PBT, but stiffer and higher melting point	similar to PBT	similar to pbt
LCP	very easy flowing, good chemical resistance, high upper use temp, good electrical properties, low thermal expansion	connectors, plugs, PCBs, sports equipment	anisotropic properties and shrinkage, expensive
PPO	good electrical insulator, hot water / steam resistance	sensor housings, pumps, connectors	susceptible to stress cracking
PPS	very good chemical resistance, high upper use temp, great electrical properties	electric components, automotive intakes / pumps / valves / sensor encapsulation	desirable properties, such as chemical resistance rely heavily on proper crystallization during molding