When it comes to working with plastics, there’s a wealth of both newer and older methods that are used every day in various industries. There’s no ideal technique as what’s best for a certain project depends on the individual needs of the client. In this post, we’ll talk about one of the most widespread techniques — compounding (also known as blending) plastics. We’ll also compare it to thermoforming which is another extremely popular method with a broad range of applications.
What’s Compounding (or Blending) Plastics?
Compounding refers to the process of melting two or more plastic products and blending them together while they’re in a molten state. The plastics can thus be molded exactly to fit highly precise characteristics. This method allows for combining the benefits of two or more types of plastic in order to create unique products. For instance, base plastic materials can easily be combined with other materials to achieve custom colors or to create certain characteristics. Oftentimes, various additives are used to lower costs or to create specific properties. Compounding is highly customizable, so it can be used to solve issues with unpleasant smells or to give plastics antibacterial properties. More recently, more and more companies use compounding to create more environmentally-friendly products, as sustainable items are becoming increasingly popular on the market.
However, there are some disadvantages to plastics compounding. Most notably, mixing different materials can be quite challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. That’s mostly because it’s essential to ensure that the properties of the final product are well-balanced. For instance, plastics that have been blended with strengthening additives can end up becoming too rigid and brittle. In the case of many projects, the compounding process can be too complicated and troublesome for the investment to be worth it. In those cases, a more cost-effective solution may be more appropriate.
What’s Thermoforming?
Thermoforming is one of the most popular methods in the manipulation of plastics. It involves forming plastics under high heat using a vacuum or high pressure from compressed air. Its main draw is its accessibility — it makes it possible to produce a high volume of products at a very accessible cost. The technique allows for making quick changes, which makes it suitable for dynamic projects which can potentially require quick changes. Thermoforming is often used in many major industries, including aviation, medicine, and transport.
Thermoforming is great for those looking for a cost-effective solution and who need to adhere to a tight schedule. It’s one of the classic methods for a good reason — it’s versatile and works for a range of applications. On the other hand, those who need to work to extremely tight specifications may benefit from the higher versatility of compounding plastics.