Transparent Materials - Injection Molding Materials
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Transparent and translucent plastic injection molding. PMMA, PC, GPPS and other transparent materials.
| Material | Applications | Transparency | Cost | Molding | UV Resistance | Eco-Friendly | Physical Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polystyrene (PS) Polystyrene | Packaging, CD/DVD cases, disposable cutlery, laboratory ware, insulation (EPS), display boxes | Excellent clarity (up to 90%) | $ | Easy - low melt temp (180-220°C), fast cycles | Poor - yellows quickly outdoors | BPA free | Brittle, low impact resistance, rigid, good dielectric properties |
| Polypropylene (PP) Polypropylene | Food containers, lab tubes, automotive parts, textiles, living hinges, medical syringes | Translucent to semi-clear (improves with nucleating agents) | $ | Easy - low melt temp (200-240°C), excellent flow, fast cycles | Poor - degrades outdoors without stabilizers | BPA free, recyclable | Excellent chemical resistance, fatigue resistant (ideal for living hinges), flexible, low density |
| PET Polyethylene Terephthalate | Bottles (beverage, food), food trays, fibers (polyester), film, medical packaging | Excellent clarity in amorphous form (up to 90%) | $$ | Medium-High - requires precise processing, can crystallize if not controlled | Moderate - better than PS/ABS, may need protection for extended outdoor | BPA free, widely recycled (#1) | Good impact resistance (when amorphous), excellent barrier properties, good chemical resistance |
| ABS Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | Automotive trim, electronic housings, LEGO bricks, keyboard keycaps | Translucent only (natural opacity) | $$ | Medium - good flow characteristics | Poor - degrades outdoors without stabilizers | BPA free | Good impact resistance, moderate strength, can be notched sensitive |
| SAN Styrene Acrylonitrile | Drinkware, kitchenware, cosmetic containers, battery cases, automotive trim | Excellent clarity, glass-like transparency | $$ | Easy - good flow characteristics | Moderate - better than PS, may yellow slightly over time | BPA free | Stiffer and stronger than PS, good chemical resistance, moderate impact |
| Polycarbonate (PC) Polycarbonate | Safety glasses, eyewear lenses, automotive dashboards, medical devices, electronic displays, riot shields | Up to 90% light transmission | $$$ | High - Requires high melt temp (280-320°C), precise cooling control | Poor - requires UV stabilization or coatings | Not BPA free - contains BPA | Excellent impact resistance (200x glass), heat resistant to 135°C, stiff but can stress crack |
| PMMA (Acrylic/Plexiglass) Polymethyl Methacrylate | Aircraft windows, aquariums, displays, automotive tail lights, lenses, signage, solar panels | Excellent - highest clarity (up to 92%), better than glass | $$$ | Medium - requires moderate melt temp (200-250°C), prone to stress cracking | Excellent - naturally UV resistant, no yellowing | BPA free | Brittle - poor impact resistance (10x glass), lightweight, scratch resistant surface |
| PC/ABS Blend PC/ABS Alloy | Automotive interiors, electronics housings, laptop cases, medical devices, power tools | Translucent to semi-clear | $$$ | Medium - combines flow of ABS with strength of PC | Moderate - better than pure PC | Not BPA free (contains PC) | Combines PC impact strength with ABS processability, balanced properties |
| COC Cyclic Olefin Copolymer | Medical devices, drug packaging, optical lenses, food packaging, electronics | Exceptional clarity - ultra-low birefringence | $$$$ | High - requires specialized equipment | Excellent | BPA free | Excellent barrier properties, low moisture absorption, medical grade |
Quick Reference Guide
Highest Clarity
- • PMMA - Up to 92%, better than glass
- • COC - Ultra-low birefringence
- • PC - Up to 90% light transmission
Impact Resistance
- • PC - 200x glass
- • PC/ABS - Excellent balance
- • PET - Good when amorphous
UV & Weather Resistant
- • PMMA - Excellent, no yellowing
- • COC - Excellent for outdoor
- • PC/ABS - Moderate improvement
Most Economical
- • PS - Best for single-use items
- • PP - Most versatile, food-safe
- • SAN - Budget PC alternative
Eco-Friendly / BPA Free
- • PET - Widely recycled (#1)
- • PP - BPA free, recyclable
- • PMMA - BPA free, durable
Easy Processing
- • PS - Low temp, fast cycles
- • PP - Excellent flow
- • SAN - Good flow, easy mold
Cost Legend
$ Low Cost - Budget friendly for high volumes
$$ Medium Cost - Balanced performance
$$$ High Cost - Premium performance
$$$$ Very High - Specialized applications
Our Manufacturing Facilities
State-of-the-art equipment and skilled workforce ensuring high-quality production
Mold & Tooling Base
5-axis CNC, EDM, and precision tooling manufacturing
Precision Molding
45+ injection molding machines from 50T to 1000T
Assembly
Complete product assembly from sub-assemblies to finished goods
Precision CNC
High-precision machining with tolerance up to ±0.005mm
EDM Processing
Quality lab with CMM and advanced inspection
Mold Assembly
Skilled technicians with 15+ years experience in mold assembly
Ready to Start Your Project?
Need help selecting the right clear or translucent material for your injection molding project? Our engineering team can provide recommendations based on your specific requirements.