High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a versatile plastic that is used in a wide range of industries. HDP is derived from petroleum. It is lightweight, inexpensive, chemical and weather resistant, recyclable and is approved by the FDA for contact with food. HDPE can be found in consumer and industrial products. Many of these products are made by injection molding HDPE. ICOMold by Fathom has the experience and knowledge to help you complete your next HDPE injection molding project.
What is HDPE?
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene high density (PEHD) is a thermoplastic polymer made from the polymerization of ethylene, a by-product of petroleum. It has a high strength-to-density ratio and is used in the production of many everyday products such as plastic bottles, food storage, piping, plastic lumber, toys, medical devices, and more. Most HDPE is recyclable. Products made by injection molding HDPE that are recyclable will have a number ‘2’ printed somewhere on the item. HDPE has a melt temperature between 356°F to 536°F and a molding temperature of 68°F to 194°F. HDPE is an FDA-approve material and certain grades can be used for toys, food contact, and medical applications.
What is HDPE Molding?
HDPE injection molding can be used to produce parts of varying shapes and sizes. The HDPE plastic is first melted into a moldable state. The HDPE is pushed into the mold once the resin has reached the molten state inside the HDPE injection molding machine. The mold is made of metal and comprised of two side, the Cavity (Side A) and the Core (Side B). The plastic resin hardens almost immediately after being injected into the HDPE mold. The part then cools to the shape of the mold, the mold opens, and the part is ejected. The HDPE mold is then reset and the process starts over. ICOMold by Fathom only uses high-strength steel when making HDPE molds. The high-strength steel ensures the mold will last through the wear and tear of thousands of cycles.
Can HDPE be Injection Molded?
HDPE is one of the most popular materials for use with injection molding. Using injection molding to produce HDPE parts has several benefits:
- Customization. The HDPE mold is created to your unique project specifications.
- Lower cost. The automation and repeatability of injection molding reduces labor costs while increasing productivity.
- Efficiency. Producing parts using injection molding is quicker than traditional molding methods and allows for thousands of parts to be produced from the same mold.
- Higher Volumes: The repeatability of the injection molding process allows for a higher volume of products to be produced at a rapid pace.
While HDPE injection molding requires a higher up-front investment, the per-piece-price for each part decreases over time as more parts that are produced. Injection molding is a manufacturing process to consider if your project requires a large volume of parts.
What is the disadvantage of HDPE Molding?
As noted above, injection molding in general includes higher up-front costs needed to manufacture the HDPE mold. ICOMold manufacturers all of its injection molds from high-strength steel to ensure durability and longevity. The mold is then placed in a specialized injection molding machine that will hold the mold closed, melt the thermoplastic material, and then inject that material into the mold. The cost of tooling a mold can range from $3,000 to over $100,000 or more. The high cost of the mold should be weighed against the eventual total part run. The overall cost of the mold could then be spread out over hundreds, thousands, or even millions of parts.
Popular HDPE Products
Products made with HDPE injection molding can be found almost everywhere including pipes, chairs and stools, milk crates, playground equipment, toys, plastic bags, water bottles, milk jugs, lotion bottles, storage sheds, parts for skeletal and facial reconstruction, food storage containers, and more. The use of HDPE is extremely popular in the USA and is so common many of us do not even realize we are using a product made using HDPE injection molding.
ICOMold by Fathom has the expertise and knowledge to help complete your next HDPE injection molding project. We offer fast and dependable service, low prices, quick quotes, plus an online project management system.
HDPE molding is the injection molding of parts using the material high-density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is a commonly used plastic because it is lower in cost and has good chemical and impact resistance. There are many applications for HDPE plastic across a variety of industries, from consumer products to industrial or commercial use.
What is HDPE?
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene high density (PEHD) is a thermoplastic polymer made from the polymerization of ethylene. It has a high strength-to-density ratio and is thus used in the production of many everyday products such as plastic bottles, food storage, piping, plastic lumber, and more. A product made from HDPE has the number “2” printed on it as it is a commonly recycled material. HDPE has a melt temperature between 356-536◦F and a molding temperature of 68-194◦F. FDA graded HDPE can be used for toy, food, and medical applications.
HDPE Injection Molding
HDPE can be molded to produce parts of varying shapes and sizes. The HDPE plastic is first melted into a moldable state. Once the HDPE has reached the ideal temperature inside the HDPE injection molding machine, it is transferred into the cavity of a mold with “A” and “B” parts. Once inside it begins to harden almost immediately. The part then cools to the shape of the mold. The “A” and “B” part of the mold eject the part once it has fully set. After this process has been completed, the mold resets to make another part. The process can repeat itself over and over again.
Using injection molding to produce HDPE parts has several benefits:
- Greater customization control: the HDPE mold is created to your unique project specifications.
- Lower cost: the automation and repeatability of injection molding reduces labor costs while increasing productivity.
- Efficiency: producing parts using injection molding is quicker than traditional molding methods and allows for thousands of parts to be produced from the same mold.
- Higher Volumes: The repeatability of the injection molding process allows for a higher volume of products to be produced at a rapid pace.
While injection molding has a higher up-front investment, the unit cost decreases the more parts that are produced over time. If your project requires a large volume of parts, injection molding is a manufacturing process to consider.
Popular HDPE Products
Some everyday products made from HDPE include rope, plastic mailing envelopes, pipes, chairs and stools, bottle crates, playground equipment, toys, plastic bags, water bottles, milk jugs, lotion bottles, storage sheds, parts for skeletal and facial reconstruction, Tyvek wrap for houses, food storage containers, and more. The use of HDPE is extremely popular in the USA and is so common many of us do not even realize we are using a product made using HDPE injection molding.
For your HDPE injection molding requirements, ICOMold has the expertise and team to meet your needs. We offer fast and dependable service, low prices, quick quotes, plus an online project management system. Your production injection mold includes a lifetime guarantee. Whether your project demands a low or high volume, we can work with you. Please feel contact us at (419) 867-3900 or email sales@icomold.com.
