Page 60 - Plastics News November 2025

PRODUCT NEWS

Feature Machined Plastics Cast Plastics to be of great strength and capable of heat-
Precision High Moderate to Low ing up.
Complexity Limited by tooling High (complex shapes
achievable) ♦ Thermoplastic Casting: PVC and polysty-
Cost Higher per unit Lower per unit (for large rene can be able to be recycled and remod-
volumes)
eled, making them flexible and easy to pro-
Material Higher due to material Lower (near-net-shape)
Waste removal cess.
Surface Finish Excellent (with post- Good (may require
processing) finishing)
The choice between thermoset and thermoplas-
Applications in Industry tic casting is determined by the nature of the
application.
The machined plastic parts, as well as cast semi-
finished plastics, are used in different industries: Plastic Processing Methods: Machining vs.
Casting
♦ Aerospace: Machined plastics are typically
used in components that have high precision It is important to know the variations in the plas-
or such components that need high strength. tic processing techniques:

♦ Automotive: Parts such as dashboards and ♦ Machining: Is a material removal process on
bumpers are made with cast plastics be- a solid block, is highly precise, and has high-
cause they have complex shapes and were er wastage.
also economical.
♦ Casting: Includes filling of a mold with liquid
♦ Medical Devices: Plastics Machined plastics plastic, more complicated shapes can be
are selected where tight tolerances and bio- made but it may have a limitation in preci-
compatibility between parts is required. sion.

♦ Consumer Electronics: The two approaches The decision made on these techniques ought
are utilized with respect to the complexity to be in line with the design of the product, the
and the volume of production of the part. requirements of the material, and the volume of

production.
Thermoset vs. Thermoplastic Casting
Engineering Plastics Comparison
Some of the factors that ought to be taken into
consideration in the production of cast plastics When in comparison of engineering plastics:
include:
♦ Machined Plastics: Such materials as POM
♦ Thermoset Casting: The other materials like and polycarbonate are characterized by
the epoxy and polyurethane are subject to strength, stiffness, and machinability.
a chemical transformation during the curing
process and this forms a hard material that ♦ Cast Plastics: Polyurethane and the likes are
is durable. They suit well in parts that need good wear resistant materials and can be

60 PLASTICS NEWS November 2025