Plastic Injection Moulding

Plastic injection moulding is the process of melting plastic pellets (thermosetting/thermoplastic polymers) that once malleable enough, are injected at pressure into a mould cavity, which fills and solidifies to produce the final product.

Chinatech Sourcing Ltd are specialists in the plastic injection moulding process and work with a number of world class partner organizations in the far east to supply small and large plastic moldings. Some of the benefits of dealing with Chinatech Sourcing Ltd are:

  • We can often provide tooling at a fraction of the cost of European sourced parts. (Typically 50%)
  • We can often support lower volumes and batch quantities compared to our competitors
  • Sometimes plastic moldings can require further post processing including metalising (reflective finish) or assembling and packing into presentation packing. These additional processes can be expensive, but we can often help you benefit from the lower costs associated with China manufacturing.
  • With technical specialists based in the UK and China, we can provide fast and expert feedback on design feasibility and DFM for your components

We provide quality mouldings  with customer specified surface finishes from polished to
spark finishes (VDI 3400) and over moulding options for “soft touch” feel parts.

See our Case Studies page for examples of some of our work.

For advice regarding tolerances draft angles etc, please download our Design Guide.

Thermoplastic Materials

Table of properties:

AbbreviationFull NamePropertiesApplications
ABSAcrylonitrile Butadiene StyreneTough, opaque, rigid, hard, high glossAutomotive, office machines, domestic appliances, refrigeration, pipe fittings
ASAAcrylonitrile Styrene AcrylonitrileRigid, transparent, tougher alternative to StyreneAutomotive, telephones, traffic signs, electric fan components, wash basins
BDSButadiene Styrene Block Copolymer
(See also SBC/SBS)
Tough, crystal clearMedical products, drawing instruments
EVAEthylene Vinyl Acetate CopolymerTough, semi-opaque, flexible, good low temperature propertiesFood packaging, surgical products, ice cube trays, bicycle saddles
HDPE (PE-HD)High Density PolyethyleneTough, semi-rigid, translucent, excellent weatherability/chemical resistanceContainers, bottle crates, food storage boxes, housewares, dustbins, pipe fittings
HIPSHigh Impact PolystyreneRigid, hard, translucentHousehold appliances, toys, disposable cups, toilet seats
LCPLiquid Crystal PolymerHigh stiffness, excellent stability at high temperaturesPrecision parts, stainless steel and ceramic repalecement, electrical connectors, surgical instruments, dental tools
LDPE (PE-LD)Low Density PolyethyleneFlexible, translucent, durable, good weatherability/low temperature performance, excellent chemical resistanceLids and closures, containers, bins, laundry baskets
LLDPELinear Low Density PolyethyleneStronger and tougher than LDPE, better mechanical properties at low and high temperaturesClosures, screw caps, cold room containers, high quality housewares, toys
MDPE (PE-MD)Medium Density PolyethyleneFits midway between High and Low Density PolyethyleneContainers, closures, pipe fittings
PAPolyamide (Nylon)
PA6Polyamide 6 (Nylon 6)Rigid, tough, translucent, resistance to oils, good dialectric resistance, hard wearingGears, bearings, bushes
PA11Polyamide 11 (Nylon 11) As for Nylon 6 but better performance over wider range of temperaturesCable ties, aircraft battery cases, sports equipment
PA12Polyamide 12 (Nylon 12)
PA46Polyamide 46 (Nylon 46)
PA66Polyamide 66 (Nylon 66)Higher impact strength and better low temperature properties than Nylon 6Automotive fans, door handles and filters, kitchen appliance housings
PAA6PolyarylamideHigh rigidity, excellent strength, high temperature performance comparable to metalsAutomotive under bonnet components and door handles, electric motor housings, furniture
PBTPolybutylene TerephthalateRigid, extremely tough, clear, wide operating temperature rangeAutomotive windscreen wiper arms and door handles, electronic parts, household appliances
PCPolycarbonateRigid, tough, excellent impact resistance, good weatherability and dimensional stabilityMedical, glazing, lighting, CDs/DVDs, spectacles, safety helmets, automotive light covers and clear roof panels
PC/ABSPolycarbonate/ABS blendCombination of PC and ABS propertiesSimilar applications to ABS but where greater toughness required
PEPolyethylene
PEEKPolyether EtherketoneOutstanding stability at wide temperature range, high cost, specialistChemotherapy devices, surgical tools, microwave grills
PEIPolyetherimideHigh strength, excellent flame and heat resistanceMedical devices, electrical insulators, pharmaceutical process equipment
PETPolyethylene TerephthalateTough, good impact strength, clear, good high temperature performanceBlow moulded bottles
PESPolyethersulphoneTough, wide operating temperature, self-extinguishingMicrowave grills and dishes, medical respirators, dental reamers
PMMAPolymethyl Methacrylate (Acrylic)Hard, rigid, crystal clear, good weatherabilityLenses. Lighting covers (indoor and outdoor), automotive rear light lenses
POMPolyoxymethylene (Acetal)(Polyformaldehyde)Rigid, very tough, translucent, good dimensional stability and electrical propertiesGears, bearings, electric kettles, plumbing fittings, valve and pump housings, automotive fuel systems
POM-HAcetal HomopolymerHigher rigidity and resistance to fatigue than copolymers
POM-KAcetal CopolymerBetter resistance to hot water and alkalis and better long term temperature properties than homopolymers
PPPolypropyleneSemi rigid, translucent, excellent chemical resistance, good recyclabilityCrates and bins, housewares, washing machine drums, plumbing fittings, kettle bodies, automotive bumpers and dashboards
PPEPolyphenylene EtherSee PPO
PPOPolyphenylene Oxide (usually modified – PPO-M)Rigid, tough, opaque, wide operating temperature, excellent dialectric properties, may be self extinguishingWashing machine, dishwasher and pump components, electrical and automotive components
PPSPolyphenylene SulphideRigid, tough, high temperature resistance (continuous use up to 240C), good mechanical and insulation propertiesOften used as aluminium replacement, connectors, terminal blocks, sockets, coil formers, relay components, automotive ignition parts
PPVC (PVC-P)Plasticised Polyvinyl ChlorideFlexible, strong, high abrasion resistance, good weathering propertiesFootwear, garden hoses, electric cable insulation
PS (GPPS)PolystyreneRigid, high gloss and transparency, brittleToys, disposable tumblers, containers
PSUPolysulphoneTough, wide operating temperature, self-extinguishing, amber colourMicrowave grills and dishes, dental reamers, dialysis equipment, stainless steel and glass replacement for milk collection equipment
PVCPolyvinyl Chloride
PVDFPolyvinylidene FlourideStrong, tough, excellent chemical and heat resistance and UV stability, translucent milky whiteValves, pumps and bearings, mainly in the chemical process industries
SANStyrene Acrylonitrile CoplymerRigid, tough, transparent, resistant to oils and greasesAutomotive real lamp covers and reflectors, refrigerator doors and trays, washing machine trims and windows, quality kitchen utensils
UPVC (PVC-U)Unplasticised Polyvinyl ChlorideRigid, tough, good weatherability, flame retardant, usually clearReplacement windows and doors, pipes and fittings, rainwater goods and bottles
PP-EPDMRubber Modified/Reinforced Polypropylene
Tough, flexible, off-whiteAutomotive bumpers and door protection strips
SBC/SBSStyrene Butadiene Styrene Block CoplymerTough, less brittle than GPPS, crystal clearCentrifuge tubes, medical bottles and mouth tubes, pens and drawing instruments
TPEThermoplastic Elastomer (Rubber)Flexible, good low temperature properties Rubber replacement, automotive gaiters, seals and gaskets.Used for overmoulding to provide ‘soft-touch’.
TP-EEThermoplastic Elastomer – Ether Ester
TPRThermoplastic Rubber (Elastomer)
TPVThermoplastic Elastomer or Rubber – Crosslinked
TPUThermoplastic PolyurethaneRange from hard and rigid to soft and flexible, better abrasion and tear resistance than rubber, excellent weatherability and UV resistanceBellows, diaphragms, gaskets and seals, machinery mounts, shoe soles and heels. Overmoulding, especially in automotive interiors