Choosing the right plastic

[eng10001]

Hi,

I need help choosing a plastic to produce an audio adapter similar to the photo attached.

The manufacturer asked me what kind of plastic I want to use and commented that PVC can be used for this item.

I want the product look good and have a high end/premium feel.

What's the best plastic for this type of application?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[TugboatEng]

ABS might be a better choice depending on market. I think the Europeans frown on chlorinated plastics.

 

[IRstuff]

I'm tempted to think that ABS is a bit too slippery for plug bodies

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[eng10001]

The manufacture said the one in the picture is made from ABS, but they want to use PVC.

 

[IRstuff]

And you didn't ask them why?

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[eng10001]

I told them that I want mine to be durable and to look like a high quality product.

Then they send me this picture and said that this was made from PVC.

PVC produces a better looking product than ABS?

 

[IRstuff]

It can, depending on the specific composition; I would guess than ABS is also much harder than what's shown in the pictures.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[Pud]

PVC is quite a lot denser than ABS. So parts are noticeably heavier. It also requires stainless tooling and injection moulding machines with nimonic barrel and screw assemblies. (It gives off HCl when processed) There are companies which mould it but they are not plentiful.
PVC is inherently flame retardent but ABS can be had in FR grades. There's always a PC/ABS blend as well.
Visually they'd all look the same. Finish depends on what the tool is.




Politicians like to panic, they need activity. It is their substitute for achievement.

 

[rickfischer51]

I agree with Pud. Processing and mold quality are more important than the material. You can make any plastic look really good, or really bad. Just a thought, but he may have an ulterior motive for pushing PVC. Maybe he knows PVC molders are few and far between and figures it will be harder for you to pull the tool and go somewhere else. Maybe he bought a lot of material for a job and the customer left and he's looking to use it up. Maybe he's molding lots of small parts with long runners and he's sitting on a mountain of regrind he wants to use. I guess this sounds cynical, but Ive had it all happen to me.

Rick Fischer
Principal Engineer
Argonne National Laboratory

 

[Pud]

Rick: I couldn't possibly comment....


Politicians like to panic, they need activity. It is their substitute for achievement.

 

[Carlos Gomes]

As u said that the part needs a good feel, my choose is ABS.