Plastic Material Selection
Plastic Material Selection
(OP)
Greetings:
I have a project I'm working on that involves some plastic supports about 2 feet long, 2 to 3 inches thick and about 3 to 4 inches high. This component has to be relatively tough, dimensionally stable, relatively stiff (low or no vibration), highly resistant to creep and as inexpensive as possible. The environment for this part is that found in a home so relatively low humidity, room temperatures and no direct exposure to sunlight.
My initial idea is for a glass reinforced nylon, but I'd like some pointers incase there are better materials out there. Also, this part will most likely be injection molded. Will adding glass fiber significantly add to the cost of the molded units? Does fiber reinforcement require a relatively continuous part (no holes)?
Thanks
I have a project I'm working on that involves some plastic supports about 2 feet long, 2 to 3 inches thick and about 3 to 4 inches high. This component has to be relatively tough, dimensionally stable, relatively stiff (low or no vibration), highly resistant to creep and as inexpensive as possible. The environment for this part is that found in a home so relatively low humidity, room temperatures and no direct exposure to sunlight.
My initial idea is for a glass reinforced nylon, but I'd like some pointers incase there are better materials out there. Also, this part will most likely be injection molded. Will adding glass fiber significantly add to the cost of the molded units? Does fiber reinforcement require a relatively continuous part (no holes)?
Thanks






RE: Plastic Material Selection
Long fibre might be better, but it's more expensive.
A lot more detailed info is required, including required numbers and load details. Far to much to be provided free on a forum like this.
You need to employ someone qualified to design the part, or at least consult material suppliers, moulders and toolmakers before and as you design it yourself.
Regards
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RE: Plastic Material Selection
RE: Plastic Material Selection
This part was origionally built out of aluminum, and it is my opinion that that was the best solution. Unfortunately, the boss thinks differently and would like to crank out large quantities of this device as cheap as possible. All of my plastic design experience has been with smaller components made of ABS. I've not had to deal with a part where creep could be a major problem, nor where plastic is a major load bearing component.
The part in question has to support a series of solenoids which need to stay properly aligned over time. I don't have any specs on the mechanical forces that the solenoids will produce, so I'm looking at beefing up the design as well as sellecting a strong plastic to compensate for the unknowns.
As far as quantity, my guess is about 1,000/year up to about 10,000 or so. Thanks.
RE: Plastic Material Selection
As always, Pat and Dwight give sound advice about working with competent suppliers to get the most out of your product.
Mike
RE: Plastic Material Selection
I would check the cost of cast aluminum or zink, too.
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