Which materials are available for injection moulding?
Nordmould offers a comprehensive range of thermoplastic resins including ABS, PC, PMMA, PP, POM, TPE, and TPU for injection moulding projects. These materials are selected to cover a wide spectrum of mechanical properties, environmental resistances, and aesthetic finishes. Our service supports production runs starting from 100 pieces, providing high-quality material options for both prototypes and certified series.
What plastics are commonly used in injection moulding?
The selection of a moulding material depends on the mechanical requirements, environmental exposure, and the desired surface finish of the final part. Nordmould provides technical support to help identify the most cost-effective plastic that meets your performance specifications.
- ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): A versatile, impact-resistant plastic used for electronic housings and consumer goods. It offers good dimensional stability and is suitable for various surface finishes.
- PP (Polypropylene): Known for its excellent chemical resistance and fatigue strength. It is commonly used for containers, living hinges, and automotive components.
- PC (Polycarbonate): A high-strength, transparent material with superior impact resistance. Ideal for lenses, protective covers, and medical devices.
- PMMA (Acrylic): An optically clear plastic with excellent weather resistance. Used as a lightweight alternative to glass for lighting and display components.
- POM (Acetal): A high-stiffness engineering plastic with low friction and excellent wear resistance. It is the preferred choice for gears and mechanical bearings.
- TPE/TPU (Thermoplastic Elastomers/Polyurethanes): Flexible, rubber-like materials used for grips, seals, and gaskets. TPU offers higher abrasion resistance compared to standard TPE.
When should you choose specific injection moulding materials?
Matching the material to the application is critical for part longevity and functional success. Factors such as operating temperature, chemical exposure, and UV stability must be considered during the design phase.
| Material | Primary Property | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Impact Strength | Enclosures, handheld devices |
| PP | Chemical Resistance | Laboratory equipment, caps |
| PC | Optical Clarity | Lenses, light pipes |
| PMMA | UV Stability | Outdoor signage, light covers |
| POM | Low Friction | Precision gears, sliding parts |
| TPE | Soft Touch | Over-moulded grips, seals |
| TPU | Abrasion Resistance | Industrial gaskets, wheels |
How do different moulding materials compare in performance?
The following table provides a high-level comparison of the standard materials offered by Nordmould. For specific engineering grades or glass-filled resins, please contact our technical team during your DFM review.
| Property | ABS | PC | PP | POM | TPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 40-50 MPa |
60-70 MPa |
30-40 MPa |
60-70 MPa |
10-25 MPa |
| Max Service Temp | 80°C |
120°C |
100°C |
105°C |
60-120°C |
| Shrinkage Rate | 0.4-0.7% |
0.5-0.7% |
1.0-2.0% |
1.8-2.2% |
0.5-2.5% |
| Impact Resistance | High | Very High | Medium | Medium | Very High |
| Clarity | Opaque | Transparent | Translucent | Opaque | Translucent/Opaque |
In-depth material guides
Each material has a full technical guide covering properties, grades, processing parameters and design rules:
- ABS injection moulding — impact-resistant, general-purpose housings
- Polypropylene (PP) — chemical resistance and living hinges
- Polycarbonate (PC) — high-impact optical clarity
- POM / acetal — low-friction precision mechanical parts
- PMMA / acrylic — optical clarity and UV stability
- Nylon (PA6, PA66) — tough, abrasion-resistant engineering parts
- Polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE) — chemical-resistant and low-cost
- Polystyrene (GPPS, HIPS) — rigid and dimensionally stable
- TPE — soft-touch over-moulding, grips and seals
- TPU — abrasion-resistant flexible parts
What surface finishes are available for injection moulded parts?
Nordmould provides three primary categories of surface finishes to meet aesthetic and functional requirements. The choice of finish affects the tooling cost and the cycle time of the moulding process.
- Matt: A non-reflective, textured finish that is effective at hiding weld lines and minor surface imperfections. It is often used for industrial components and internal housings.
- Glossy: A smooth, semi-reflective finish achieved through standard polishing of the mould tool. This is the baseline for most consumer-facing parts.
- High-gloss: A mirror-like finish that requires precision diamond polishing of hardened steel tooling. This finish is typically used for optical parts or premium aesthetic components in PC or PMMA.
Custom textures, such as VDI or Mold-Tech standards, can be applied to the tooling on request. Note that high-gloss finishes may increase the tooling lead time by 1-2 weeks due to the intensive manual polishing required.
Nordmould ensures that every material and finish combination is validated through our free DFM review process.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common injection moulding materials?
The most common materials at Nordmould include ABS for general-purpose housings, Polypropylene (PP) for chemical resistance, and Polycarbonate (PC) for high-impact transparency. We also offer specialised elastomers like TPE and TPU for flexible parts, and engineering-grade POM for high-stiffness mechanical components.
Can Nordmould source engineering-grade plastics on request?
Yes, while our standard range covers ABS, PC, PP, PMMA, POM, TPE, and TPU, Nordmould can source specific engineering-grade resins and glass-filled composites upon request. Our technical team assists in selecting the appropriate material grade during the DFM review process to ensure part performance.
Which material is best for high-gloss surface finishes?
For high-gloss or optical applications, Polycarbonate (PC) and PMMA (Acrylic) are the preferred choices. These materials exhibit excellent clarity and flow characteristics, allowing them to take on a high-gloss finish when used with polished, high-quality steel tooling.
Are materials at Nordmould suitable for low-volume production?
Yes, all materials in our standard catalogue are available for orders starting from 100 pieces. Nordmould specialises in making professional-grade plastics accessible for low-to-mid volume series, bridge tooling, and rapid prototyping using both soft and hard tooling options.
How do I choose between TPE and TPU for flexible parts?
TPE is typically selected for its soft-touch feel and ease of processing, often used in over-moulding applications. TPU is preferred when the part requires higher abrasion resistance and superior mechanical strength. Nordmould provides guidance on selecting between these elastomers based on the end-use environment.
Request a free DFM review to confirm material compatibility for your project.