Commercial-grade polymers
Commercial-Grade Injection Molding Materials
At Micromolds, we work with a broad range of commercial-grade thermoplastics and elastomers suitable for precision and micro injection molding applications.
Material selection is driven by part geometry, functional requirements, and process constraints, rather than material availability alone.
When selecting materials for injection molding and micro injection molding projects, the following factors are evaluated:
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Mechanical and functional properties (e.g. stiffness, impact resistance, UV stability);
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Compatibility with micro injection molding, especially for high-resolution features, thin walls, and overmolding applications;
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Surface quality and cosmetic requirements, including color consistency and finish;
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Material cost and scalability, particularly for series production.
You are always welcomed to use your own materials. Please inform us about that in online quoting form and feel free to supply it for us.
Thin wall injection capabilities
In order to avoid cosmetic defects like flash, sink, warp, knit lines and maintain uniform part structure in plastic injection moulding it is recommended to evaluate wall thickness for various part cross-sections. Here is the list of recommended ranges from min. to max. of wall thicknesses for most often used polymer materials in injection moulding*:
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ABS injection moulding: 0.143mm - 3.556mm;
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Acetal injection moulding: 0.762mm - 3.048mm;
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Acrylic injection moulding: 0.635mm - 12.7mm;
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Nylon (polyamide) injection moulding: 0.762mm - 2.921mm;
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Polycarbonate injection moulding: 1.016mm - 3.81mm;
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Polyester injection moulding: 0.635mm - 3.175mm;
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Polyethylene injection moulding: 0.762mm - 5.08mm;
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Polypropylene injection moulding: 0.635mm - 3.81mm;
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Polystynene injection moulding: 0.889mm - 3.81mm;
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Polyurethane injection moulding: 2.032mm - 19.05mm.
Material bonding guide for overmoulding, 2K, inserts
For good mechanical or chemical material bonding and adhesion in overmoulding, 2K shot moulding and insert moulding processes various combinations can work out. Enormous amount of materials out there leads to a struggle when looking for right match for the substrate material. It is best to refer on recommendations of materials' manufacturer. In research, it is good to have in mind that materials can bond in two ways: mechanical or chemical. Below some recommendations** are indicated to guide you through the selection process of materials.
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Personal care:
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Substrate: Polypropylene;
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TPEs: Dynaflex, Kraton, Versaflex CL, Versalloy XL;
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Household:
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Substrate: ABS, PC/ABS;
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TPEs: Versaflex OM, Versollan OM;
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Consumer electronics:
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Substrate: Polycarbonate
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TPEs: Versaflex OM, Versollan OM;
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Hardware:
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Substrate: Nylon 6 and 6/6;
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TPE: Versaflex OM;
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Healthcare:
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Substrate: Propionate, Copolyester;
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TPE: Versaflex OM.
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**Based on: https://www.avient.com
Plastic materials for micro moulding
In micro injection sometimes material choice can lead to moulding process adaptation and sometimes the process can lead to different material choice. This correlation exists because injection gates should be sized correctly to avoid heat stress on polymer injecting to the cavity. Some of the most used materials for micro moulding are:
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LCP;
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PMMA;
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cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs);
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cyclic olefin polymers (COPs);
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PEEK;
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PLA;
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PGA;
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LSR;
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polyethylene;
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polypropylene;
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polycarbonate
