Thermoforming Plastics: Design and Their Type

Introduction

Thermoforming plastic, although a relatively new variant of plastic, has already gained huge popularity because of its low cost of production and versatility, allowing its application in a variety of industries. Thermoforming is just one way of transforming plastics into desired shape and size; there are other methods too such as thermoplastics, vacuum forming, twin sheet forming and pressure forming, each with its own distinct set of advantages.

Thermoforming Process

The term comes from the name of the process which is used to make thermoforming plastic. In this method, plastic sheet is molded into a 3D shape of a particular design by applying a combination of heat, pressure and vacuum onto it. This slowly melts the plastic enough to embrace the mold’s shape and design, but not so much that it will lose its hardness. The final hardening process hardens the plastic which is the finished product.

Types of Plastic Used for Thermoforming

Thermoforming is usually done on a variety of plastic, depending on the end purpose and type of product to be manufactured. Common plastic variants used are:

Ø  Polyolefin: It has a glossy appearance and has high strength, generally used as exterior material. However, it is difficult to work with, especially for highly complex designs.

Ø  Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene: One of the most common plastic variants used for thermoforming, it is highly versatile with regular hardness.

Ø  High Density Polyethylene: HDPE has high strength and great stability along with high resistant against cold temperatures.

Ø  Plexiglas: It is the plastic version of glass with its clean, transparent profile. Its high strength and low brittleness makes it perfect for use as windows and display glass.

Ø  Polycarbonate: It is strong, has high durability and can resist normal impacts. Generally used for exterior coating of items, usually appliances, vehicles and electronics.

Ø  Polyvinyl Chloride: It offers high resistance against fire, making it perfect for use as fireproofing material.

Pros of Thermoforming Plastic

Thermoforming plastic offers various benefits and advantages such as:

Ø  Cheaper than most other plastic shaping methods

Ø  Plastic can be quickly and efficiently shaped

Ø  Perfect for highly complex designs and detailed molds

Ø  Good for making large parts in one go

Ø  Plastic sheets can be used for making multiple products in batches

Ø  Helps in diagnosis and detection of faults in designs, especially in detailed designs.