When it comes to having a part manufactured from plastic, it’s essential to select the appropriate material. Plastics vary in strength, appearance, and durability. If you’re looking for a plastic prototype service, picking the best approach and the right plastic can be intimidating.

Professional plastic prototype companies can help guide you. That includes using your drawings, data, and gathering pertinent information so that their process engineering team can assist in identifying the best manufacturing process. This service also often also entails choosing an appropriate material for your specific project.

Having a basic knowledge of the plastics available for plastic prototype services is critical.  Whether it is picking the best material to mimic the appearance and operation of a production part or help you evaluate the performance of multiple materials as you refine your design, plastic prototype companies can help.

When selecting a plastic for a given application, there are several factors to consider.  Some of the most critical include:

  • The purpose of the part and any mechanical functions it may provide.
  • The manufacturing process to be used (CNC machining, 3D printing, injection molding).
  • How many prototype parts are needed (larger volume may mean injection molding is the best approach).
  • Cost (considering the process and material to be used).
  • Timing (varies based on process and material availability).

Popular Plastics for Prototypes

The list of available materials used by plastic prototype companies is lengthy and is growing each year. The following are just a few examples of the plastics commonly used:

  • ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) – This material is strong and also provides very good surface appearance. It can be painted, metalized, or decorated in other ways to achieve the look desired. It can be used in all prototype processes.
  • POM (polyoxymethlyene, aka acetal)  – As a low-friction material with excellent wear resistance, it’s ideal for specific applications such as gears. It is strong and is dimensionally stable up to temperatures of 80C (180F). The trade name Delrin is a subclass of this material.
  • Polypropylene (PP) – PP is preferred for parts that need some flexibility, such as living hinge geometries.  It is often very commonly used in automotive interiors. This material doesn’t react with most substances, resists cracks & stress.  It can, however, be harder to paint or glue. It’s commonly used in injection molds.
  • Nylon (polyamides) – There are many nylon formulations providing strong, durable results.  Added strength and heat resistance can be provided with glass-filled nylon blends.  Nylon is commonly used in engineered products requiring strength and durability.
  • Polycarbonate (PC) – This material is clear, and provides strength and some flexibility.  It can scratch easily and can be difficult to glue, so the application of this material needs to be considered carefully.  An additional challenge with clear PC is that it can be subject to discoloration with UV light, so for exterior application, a special UV protective top coat is commonly applied.
  • Acrylic [PMMA or poly(methyl methacrylate)] – Another clear material, this is not only strong but also hard to scratch.  This produces a glossy finish – it’s what Plexiglass is made from. Acrylic is commonly used in many optical products.
  • Photo-curable Resins – the list of materials used in Rapid Prototyping is growing rapidly.  Generally made from epoxy or acrylic bases, these materials are particularly suited for prototype applications where the main objective is to prove out a design quickly because they allow for fast production at a reasonable price.

GTV Can Guide You in the Right Direction

At Global Technology Ventures, we take immense pride in creating prototypes and finished products using the highest-quality material available. Instead of spending valuable time scouring the internet for “plastic prototype companies,” all you need to do is make one phone call to us. We’ll create a precision prototype, and when ready, manufacture whatever the number of finished products required.