Material Selection
Choosing the right material starts with understanding how the part will be used
Material selection affects everything — from part performance and appearance to moldability and cost. R&D Plastics takes an end-use approach: we want to understand your application as thoroughly as possible so we can help you evaluate the right candidates. The material needs to meet the chemical, thermal and physical demands of the application, work within the part design and stay cost-effective.
Selection Criteria
Here are the key factors we consider when helping customers select a material:
ENVIRONMENT
A clear understanding of the operating environment is essential — temperature range, chemical exposure, UV, moisture and mechanical stress all influence which materials are viable.
AESTHETICS
Surface finish, color and overall appearance need to be defined before the mold is built. Material choice directly affects what’s achievable cosmetically.
MATERIAL COST
The material must be cost-effective while still meeting all application requirements. We help identify the best balance of performance and value.
APPLICATION & DESIGN COMPATABILITY
The part design must be appropriate for the selected material. Different resins have different flow characteristics, shrink rates and structural properties that affect how the part performs.
DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
For tight-tolerance parts, a low-shrinkage material may be the better choice. We factor in dimensional stability when recommending materials.
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