For any manufacturer looking to take advantage of plastic manufacturing and plastic injection molding, it is necessary to understand the different kinds of plastic and what each is used for. This way, when the business owner seeks out the assistance of a plastic manufacturer, they know exactly what kind of product they want. This helps eliminate any sort of issues later on down the line and helps the business owner know what specific questions to ask in regards to what he or she is going to use the plastic for.
Kinds of Plastic
In general, there are seven different kinds of plastics used. Now, there are a few variations and subcategories, but for the most part, the plastic the majority of manufacturers is going to use is found in one of these seven categories. The seven categories are:
– Plastic 1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET/PETE)
– Plastic 2: High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
– Plastic 3: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
– Plastic 4: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
– Plastic 5: Polypropylene (PP)
– Plastic 6: Polystyrene (PS)
– Plastic 7: Other
Plastic 1
PET or PETE (it is seen in both forms), is most often used in food packaging, such as soda bottles, water bottles, peanut butter and such. This is also the most recycled form of plastic as well due to its heavy use in foods. This is a helpful plastic for any manufacturer of food products.
Plastic 2
HDPE is a thicker plastic that is used in such items as milk jugs or laundry detergent. It resists UV penetration, which is why milk uses this so sunlight is not going to directly harm it. It is also both dishwasher safe and is often used for food storage.
Plastic 3
PVC is the same kind of plastic material used in common plumbing around the house. It is also found in multi-use water bottles and salad dressing bottles.
Plastic 4
LDPE is the same plastic used in dry cleaning bags, trash can liners and some food storage containers. It is a non-leaching plastic and also microwave proof.
Plastic 5
PP is the kind of plastic used in bottle caps and drinking straws. It is found in reusable bags and other food storage containers.
Plastic 6
Used in backing peanuts, plastic utensils and meat trays, although it is currently not a recycled plastic option.
Plastic 7
Any other plastic that doesn’t fall into the other categorize is classified as plastic 7.