Top 8 Advantages of Using Plastics over Metals
Manufacturers have historically relied on metals to create parts for their products. Metals possess various qualities that make them ideal manufacturing tools. They are strong and have ideal electricity and chemical resistance characteristics. However, they are quite expensive and don’t offer the same flexibility in design and prototyping as plastic.
The introduction of new techniques and technologies, such as injection molding, has enabled manufacturers to switch to injection-molded plastics. The plastic injection market has been growing steadily over the last couple of years, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from $357.34 billion in 2021 to $476.46 billion by 2028.
Injection molding manufacturers are providing major healthcare, automobile, and defense companies with major cost savings by shifting to injection-molded plastics. Let’s look at some advantages of using plastics over metal.
Cost-Effective
One of the biggest advantages of using plastics over metals is that they are cost-effective. Injection-molded plastics are produced in faster cycles compared to metals, and the manufacturing costs are low.
Transporting and storing plastics is also less expensive than using metals, owing to their lightweight and resistance to corrosion and chemical attacks. Since modern-day plastics are extremely durable, they’re less likely to be damaged during use or shipment, contributing to their cost-effectiveness.
If you look at bearing and wear applications, injection-molded plastics provide lower frictional properties than metals, leading to less wear and tear. Less wear and tear lead to lower maintenance and products that have a longer lifespan.
Lifespan
Another big advantage plastics have over metal is that they are more durable. Metals are susceptible to harsh weather, and chemical exposure can significantly reduce their lifespan. On the other hand, plastics are less prone to environmental damage, harsh weather, and chemical exposure.
You won’t have to replace plastic components on your product frequently, compared to metal parts that can be corrosive and may need replacing more than usual.
Radiolucency
Medical equipment manufacturers use plastic to create medical equipment because they offer radiolucency.
Surgical equipment and instruments made from injected-molded plastics provide surgeons with a clear and unobstructed view of where they can conduct their surgeries efficiently. Metal instruments don’t have the same utility.
Recyclable
Another major advantage of using plastics over metals is they are sustainable and recyclable. It is easier to reuse plastics compared to metals. When using the correct resin in injection-molded products, manufacturers may melt and reuse used plastics multiple times, which makes them a more economical solution for industry owners.
Once destroyed, metal parts must be discarded and replaced with new parts. However, manufacturers may recycle and use plastics to create new materials. This feature also reduces the time it takes to source new materials for production.
Design Flexibility
Plastics because they offer flexibility that manufacturers don’t get from metal, making the former the more versatile option. They are ideal for industries that need more options in terms of geometry, textures, and designs.
Plastics are better for industrial parts requiring lightweight characteristics, aesthetically appealing designs, or complex shapes. Modern techniques such as plastic injection molding make it possible to create mold parts and designs that are complex in their geometries while providing efficiency equivalent to the metals.
Aesthetic Appeal
Injection-molded plastics also provide greater aesthetics compared to their metal counterparts. If your product requires any color or transparency, you can use the right resin to create injection-molded plastics to use in your products, giving them the color, you require. The injection process also helps achieve natural transparency.
You can also use injection-molding techniques to create a specific texture, pattern, or finish for your product. You can’t create color codes or apply a specific pattern or color with metals.
Safety Risks
Manufacturing metal parts has its safety risks. Many injuries and accidents are common in industries using metals in any capacity. On the other hand, plastics are safer because of their smoother edges and comparative softness.
Environmental Benefits
Injection-molded plastics also provide a sustainable solution for environmentally friendly manufacturers and industries. For example, single-use plastic instruments are the preferred choice for many healthcare institutions compared to metal ones. There is no need to sterilize plastic equipment like you’d have to with metal ones.
Companies are also realizing that the carbon footprint of single-use instruments is lower compared to manufacturing metal parts. Hospitals looking to reduce their carbon emissions are increasingly shifting to single-use plastics.
Also, the injection-molding process, which is a part of the mass production of plastic products, leaves little to no waste compared to metal production. The molding process also requires a lower heating temperature than metal, which uses less energy.
Working With PTMS
If you’re looking for a premium injection molding company to provide you with quality products and services, check out PTMS. We have established a reputation as one of the leading plastics injection molding manufacturers in Shenzhen, China.
We have been offering top-notch services such as mold design, plastic injection tooling, plastic injection molding, silicone parts, metal parts, and product assembly. Our premium products are used in various industries, such as home appliances, electronics, and automobiles.
More than 70% of our products are exported globally, mainly to Europe, America, Australia, and Japan. We are proud to have received our ISO 9001-2008 certification, which is a testament to the fact that we never compromise on the quality of our products.
We have significant production capabilities to meet the extensive requirements of our major clients. We have nearly 200 employees on our team who assist us in our daily operations and help us deliver quality products.
We also improved our production equipment in 2015 and installed 20 sets of auto-injection machines, which has helped us improve the quality of our products and services. We also have a burgeoning list of clients.
Some of our customers are Lenovo, Brothers, Canon, Toshiba, and ATA from the printer and electronics industry, InsightTech, CAA-Arms, TDI-Arms from the defense and security industry, Pegform, Volvo, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, and Benz from the automotive industry, and Haier, Whirlpool, Electrolux, Hach, and Mindray from the medical and home appliance industry.
You can visit our website to learn more about the comprehensive services we provide to our growing clientele or contact us for more information.