Hello Texas!,
When selecting a plastic (or resin) for your plastic molded product there are many things to consider. Does my plastic product need to have impact resistance? Does my plastic part need to have UV resistance? What about the ability to “live” in a corrosive environment? Or maybe you need flexibility. No matter what the need West Point Plastics, LLC help with your selection of plastic resin.
Give us a call today to discuss your plastic injection mold needs, we’d love to help and we’re here for you from start to finish!
Check out an article I found interesting about Hygroscopic resins… these types absorb water that must be removed with plastic pellet drying equipment known commonly as a dryer.
Hygroscopic Resins
(i.e., Nylon, ABS, Acrylic, Polyurethane, Polycarbonate, PET, PBT,)
- Have a strong affinity to attract moisture
- Will absorb moisture onto their molecular structure if exposed to ambient air
- Internal moisture can not be removed with hot air alone
Water vapor surrounding a hygroscopic pellet is absorbed into the pellet. As the vapor pressure within the pellet increases to equal the vapor pressure surrounding the pellet, equilibrium occurs. This is referred to as, moisture equilibrium.
When an environment of hot, dry air surrounds a wet hygroscopic pellet, the vapor pressure surrounding the pellet is lower than the vapor pressure within the pellet. Consequently, the moisture within the pellet begins to migrate toward the area of low vapor pressure outside the pellet. Expose the pellet to the hot, dry atmosphere for a sufficient period and the pellet eventually reaches moisture equilibrium with the surrounding dry conditions. In other words, the pellet becomes dry.
Non-Hygroscopic Resins
(i.e., Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, PVC)
- Do not have an affinity for moisture
- Any moisture collected is adsorbed on the surface of the pellet
- Typical moisture collection is due to condensation
- Moisture is easily removed by passing a sufficient stream of warm air over the material