Resin pellets are the central ingredient in plastic parts production. That means they are integral to almost any industry that relies on plastic components. From medical equipment to piping and automotive parts, they all start with these tiny pellets.
If you work in one of these industries and want to know more about resin pellets and their uses, keep reading. Therefore, the information below will give you a better understanding of the importance of resin pellets in plastics manufacturing.
Resin Pellet Basics
Polymer, usually of synthetic origin, although some can have organic compounds mixed in. Resin pellets are very small (between 2 and 5 millimeters) cylindrical or disc-shaped granules.
There are many different types of resins. Epoxy resins, for instance, are strong adhesives. This makes them a popular choice for laminates, flooring, and surface coatings.
Polypropylene resin pellets have a low density and can be sterilized. This makes them ideal for toys and piping, among other uses.
Polystyrene resins are hydrocarbon polymers that are very easy to produce and tend to be very flexible. They are a prevalent choice for automotive instruments and dashboards.
What Are They Used For?
There are four main ways manufacturing industries use resin pellets. The most common is in injection molding.
This process involves heating the resin into a more viscous form, also known as “cracking.” You can then inject the material into a custom mold. Almost any plastic product is a cooled version of melted plastic resin pellets.
Extrusion is a similar process by which you force melted pellets through a die to produce the desired shape. This procedure is often used for piping, tubing, or plastic rods.
Blow molding relies on both injection molding and extrusion processes. This involves heating then compressing them within a tube. The resin is then transferred to a cooled mold where compressed air is blown into it. This is the process often used to make plastic bottles.
Creating many hollow plastic components relies on the rotational molding. Once melted, they inject into the mold that rotates in all directions. This allows the resin to evenly coat the inside of the mold until it cools, forming a hollow plastic part.
A Note on the Environment
Since resin pellets are very small, they can spill and become lost during manufacturing. Plastics that enter waterways increase pollution and are hazardous to wildlife.
That is why manufacturers must have rigid policies that ensure the proper disposal of these products. There also are many uses for recycled resin pellets.
Learn More About Resin Pellets
We hope this information about resin pellets gives you a better understanding of the plastics production processes.
At Nova, we provide custom injection molding components to many major automotive manufacturers. But no job is too big or too small. If it’s plastic, we can make it.
We take pride in ensuring that our clients get quality parts and are involved in every step of the production process. So, reach out to us today to see how we can serve you.
