PP is chosen for injection molding services because it’s cost – effective, easily available, has good mechanical and chemical properties, suitable thermal characteristics, is lightweight, and is recyclable.
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PP is made from propylene monomers through polymerization. Its chemical structure consists of long chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
The arrangement of the methyl groups on the polymer chain can vary. Isotactic PP, where the methyl groups are on the same side of the chain, is the most commonly used in industrial applications due to its higher crystallinity and better mechanical properties.
Polypropylene living hinges’ thickness should be 0.2 – 0.51 mm. Good design has large radii and “shoulders” for flat recesses. See our tech article on living hinge design for more.
Wall Thickness
Injection molded PP part wall thickness: 0.635 – 3.81 mm. Ensure gradual thickness transitions to avoid sink marks. Rib thickness < half wall thickness.
Radii
Radii in injection molded parts cut stress & extend life. For PP injection molding parts, radius ≥ 25% wall thickness, 75% for optimal props.
Draft Angle
A draft angle is necessary to facilitate the ejection of the molded part from the mold. For the external surfaces of PP living – hinge – containing parts, a draft angle of 1 – 3 degrees is usually sufficient.
Part Tolerances
Tolerances are commercial or fine. Fine ones are tighter. Tighter tolerances raise tooling and part costs. Both vary with part size. E.g., a 20 mm PP part has 0.125 mm commercial tolerance and 0.075 mm fine tolerance.
Sink Marks
Sink marks can occur when there is uneven shrinkage due to variations in wall thickness or improper cooling. Solutions may include adjusting the wall thickness uniformity, optimizing the cooling system, or increasing the holding pressure and time.
Warping
Warping is often caused by uneven cooling, internal stresses, or improper part design. Check the cooling channels for proper distribution of coolant, review the part design for areas of stress concentration, and consider adding ribs or other strengthening features to improve dimensional stability.
Undercuts
If undercuts are necessary in the design, special mold mechanisms such as side-action cores or lifters will be required. These add complexity and cost to the mold, so it’s important to evaluate whether the undercuts are truly essential.
Melt index is a number that indicates the fluidity of plastic materials during processing. It is the American Measurement Standards Institute (ASTM), according to the
The injection molding process is a process involving mold design, mold manufacturing, raw material characteristics, and raw material pretreatment method, molding process, injection molding machine operation, and