The plastic fabrication industry has grown very large over the last few years and with it the discovery of new and tougher polycarbonate blends. Today there are many things that use to be made only in the United States. Now, poly and plastics make up a large part of the manufacturing here and abroad. The reasons might be obvious but the cost is of course on the top of the list for many companies.

Blended Plastics

The plastics that are available in the current market are often blends of several different polyethylenes. Sometimes there is a specific proprietary blend, other times they do not need to be specific. In both cases, the quality of the products made can be seriously affected by the choice of plastic used. Most companies will opt for higher grade materials but there are some that are still churning out products that will have a very short lifespan. Those dollar store items that we use once and toss in the trash, those are some of them for sure.

Working With Plastics

Most products that are made from plastic today are made in an injection molding machine. The plastic is heated to a liquid stated and force into the molds under pressure. Cold water is then circulated around the mold to cool it then it is opened and the part is removed. The mold is closed and the process starts all over again. Because the same mold is reused, the process pays for itself in time and the products can be made at a very high rate if needed.

Machining Plastics

There are some very dense plastics on the market and in some cases, the manufacturer might opt to machine the parts he needs from the solid block of plastic. While it is a slower process, it does allow the manufacturer to make a more precision part that will have a high durability over time. Like metals, these hard plastics can be drilled, turned, milled, and cut much the same way as a metal but the plastic used can be reclaimed or recycled plastic if you want it to be. If you are concerned about the strength of the plastic, talk to the manufacturer of the plastic and explain what you need. Durability should never be the issue. There are plastics strong enough to stand up as a gun barrel and not get damaged at all when it is fired. It makes take time but there is a bland out there that will be right for your project.