Today, plastic has become a material of choice for manufacturers of outdoor applications. It is frequently used to make components in outdoor furniture, highway safety markers, metal wire coatings, and more. For manufacturers, it’s important to know how to choose the best plastic for outdoor uses as their material components
Inplex’s informational guide will help you choose the best plastic for outdoor use. Plastic components used to build outdoor applications should be durable and long-lasting. Keep reading to discover why top brands & manufacturers choose inplex to source their plastic materials for outdoor use.
According to Statista, The outdoor plastic furniture market size was valued at 8.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2018. It is forecasted to reach 9.64 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. The growth in this industry is related to the high demand for housing.
For example one of the many products creating a high demand for outdoor plastic components is outdoor furniture like pergolas and cabanas. Plastic components help make furniture more durable now than ever before. This is due to manufacturers increased knowledge of which plastic is best for outdoor use.
There are many benefits to using plastic for outdoor use. Unlike metal, plastic will not corrode, and unlike wood, it will not rot or absorb moisture. However, not all plastics are created equal, so it’s important to pick the right plastic for outdoor uses. Keep reading Inplex’s informative guide to help better understand how to choose the best plastic for the components in your outdoor application.
If you or your company are building outdoor structures, or need high-performing plastic for outdoor components, then it’s crucial to use custom high-quality plastic materials sourced from inplex.
High-quality plastics are durable. They are lightweight, yet quite strong and will not warp easily. They are also versatile; they’re easy to shape, customize, and adjust during the manufacturing process to meet specific requirements, meaning they can be used for a wide variety of applications.
For almost any type of plastic component that you need for outdoor use, there is likely at least one type of plastic that will meet your needs. Using the appropriate plastic will help ensure your outdoor components or applications function reliably and last longer. Make sure to consider local weather conditions, and choose a type of plastic that can withstand them.
Inplex Custom Extruders discusses the 3 best plastics for outdoor use below. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polycarbonate are manufacturers’ top picks for the best outdoor plastic materials. All of these plastic materials can be extruded into custom outdoor structure components by Inplex.
Each plastic has its own set of unique benefits. In fact, plastic materials offer all the advantages that glass, wood, and metal have. The difference is plastic materials for outdoor use have all these benefits and advantages combined in one extruded plastic material.
ABS plastic, a thermoplastic polymer, emulsifies acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. The plastic can withstand high as well as very low temperatures. When exposed to high temperatures, ABS material will not burn. Instead, it will melt and liquefy. It can endure multiple heating and cooling cycles without losing its structural integrity. This characteristic makes ABS plastic the preferred choice for machining processes such as fabrication.
In 2020, extrusion accounted for 28% of the total ABS market share. The growing demand for lightweight, fuel-efficient vehicles that make use of ABS parts is further propelling plastic’s popularity. The ABS market is projected to grow to $40.8 billion by 2026.
The ABS polymer is an ideal plastic for outdoor use, especially in colder regions. It offers several benefits:
In addition to creating custom plastic components for outdoor use, Inplex can extrude ABS for various outdoor components and applications, including:
ABS plastic is one of the top plastic choices for many industrial, commercial and retail products. This is because of the long list of benefits the plastic material offers. Top brands choose ABS from Inplex for custom plastic components in outdoor products. ABS continues to be identified as one of the top plastics for outdoor use. This plastic material offers unique benefits for different industries and projects.
Below are articles that provide great insight into more of the appealing benefits of ABS plastic
HDPE is a petroleum-based thermoplastic polymer. It is a versatile plastic known for its tensile strength. HDPE plastic maintains its structural integrity even when heated, melted, and cooled many times. Even if it cracks over time, HDPE plastic is safe as it will not have sharp or harmful edges.
Enriching HDPE plastic with a UV stabilization additive during extrusion can make it an ideal candidate for outdoor use. HDPE is a great plastic for outdoor use as it offers many advantages, including
The sun-resistant plastic is used in various outdoor applications, including:
Polycarbonate is a highly pliable thermoplastic. Like ABS, polycarbonate plastic will not burn, but instead, turn into a liquid when subjected to high temperatures. It can be heated and cooled several times and is ideal for extrusion into tubes and profiles.
There are several reasons for using polycarbonate plastic for outdoor use and applications, including:
If you want to build a solid outdoor structure requiring all-weather protection, polycarbonate plastic is an excellent material for outdoor use. It is used in a variety of applications, including:
Inplex Custom Extruders have a devotion to providing fully customizable options, with the use of top-rated materials to create the highest quality products, and excellent customer service.
If you or your organization are interested in high-quality plastic components for outdoor use then look to Inplex Custom Extruders. For over 50 years we have been providing some of the best custom plastic extrusion products on the market. Manufacturers choose Inplex for various reasons, for example, our vast manufacturing facilities and wide range of plastic materials enabled us to get the job done according to our client’s satisfaction.
Inplex has developed a reputation for providing high-quality extrusion plastic products, that are used to create safe and durable outdoor structures. This has allowed us to expand into many different markets and industries, and become the first choice to many top brands looking for plastic components for outdoor use.
Inplex is often chosen to create custom plastic components for pergolas and other outdoor product designs with custom component requirements. We can manufacture a variety of plastic components for outdoor use to your exact specifications. For more information on examples of past outdoor plastic components Inplex has made, and why top brands choose to work with Inplex to create outdoor products check out our recent informational blog.
This will provide more insight into why your organization should work with Inplex custom extruders to produce your desired outdoor plastic component.
Inplex can be your trusted custom extruder for outdoor plastic components. We will manufacture outdoor product components designed to meet your exact specifications. A handful of certifications and rigorous quality inspections will ensure top-quality outdoor plastic components every time.
Inplex has over five decades of rich experience delivering custom-designed plastic extrusion components for outdoor use. Whether you choose ABS, HDPE, or polycarbonate, Inplex can fulfill your order.
Plastic material for outdoor application must be chosen with care. If you need help identifying the most suitable plastic, speak to a specialist and submit a request for your next outdoor project today.
Back to BlogPlastic was created as a result of the rising scarcity of raw materials brought about by the process of industrialization. New solutions were required as markets grew and production increased. As a result, early innovators and researchers focused their efforts on replicating existing rare and expensive materials such as mother-of-pearl, ivory, exotic woods, and pricey natural stones such as granite and onyx.
A vast and diversified range of uses quickly emerged, allowing money to be invested in the research and innovation of low-cost materials like plastic that could be mass-produced. As a response, the focus was on enhancing the usefulness and material attributes such as corrosion and wear resistance, excellent thermal stability, and durability.
Plastic is an indispensable material in the furniture industry. And the plastics used in plastic chairs and tables are also improving. In this article, we will take a detailed look into the plastic chair materials commonly used in table and chair manufacturing. Ready? Let’s go.
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Thermoplastics have lower melting point temperatures and will soften to a pliable state or melt to a liquid form when heated. This implies that they may be formed into almost any mold or pattern. Furthermore, even intense heat does not affect the nature of the material, therefore even after their material has been formed and cured, it may be melted, heated, or reshaped and remain the same thermoplastic.
Consider a thermoplastic substance such as water. Water can be either a solid or a liquid, as in the case of ice. However, regardless of how many times its physical condition changes, its chemical composition remains constant and it is water.
Thermosets have a high melting point and thermal conductivity, however, when exposed to a certain temp and molded to a solid structure, their composition and structural qualities become constant. They cannot be melted down or returned to their original state. Instead, the substance will char or burn.
Thermoplastic materials:
Materials used in thermosets:
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Polypropylene is among the world’s most widely used thermoplastics. Polypropylene is used in a variety of applications, including plastic containers, plastic parts for industrial machinery, and even fibers and fabrics. It is a semi-crystalline stiff thermoplastic that was initially polymerized in 1951 and is now widely utilized in a variety of residential and industrial applications. Today, worldwide demand for polypropylene is projected to be over 45 metric tons, with this amount rising at an exponential rate.
Polypropylene has a slick, haptic surface, making it perfect for a variety of applications.
Because it is very resistant to acid corrosion, it is a good choice for packing.
Good Chemical stability: Because diluted bases and acids do not react readily with polypropylene, it is an excellent choice for containers containing such liquids as first-aid products, cleaning agents, and more.
Flexibility and Tenacity: Polypropylene exhibits elasticity within a certain range of obfuscation (as do all materials), but it also exhibits plastic deformation early in the deformation, making it a “tough” material.
Strain Resistance: Polypropylene holds its shape even after extensive torsion, bending, and/or flexing. This characteristic is extremely useful for creating living hinges.
Insulation: It has a high electrical resistance and is ideal for electrical parts.
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Polycarbonate (PC) plastics are a type of amorphous thermoplastic that is inherently transparent. Although they are widely available in a range of hues (some transparent, others not), the raw material provides for almost the same intrinsic light penetration as glass. Polycarbonate plastics are used to make a range of materials, and they are especially beneficial when impact resistance and/or transparency are required.
Polycarbonate is also exceptionally resistant to heat and may be mixed with flame-retardant compounds without causing substantial material deterioration. Polycarbonate plastics are industrial plastics in the sense that they are commonly utilized for more capable, strong materials.
Polycarbonate is a technical name for a material with a high property value (PC)
C15H16O2 is the chemical formula.
The temperature of Melting- 288-316 degrees Celsius (550-600 degrees Fahrenheit)
Mold Temperature Typical- Temperatures range from 82 to 121 degrees Celsius (180 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit).
Temperature of Heat Deflection (HDT)- 140°C (284°F) at 0.46 MPa (66 PSI)
Tensile Power- 59 MPa (8500 PSI)
Flexural Stability- 93 MPa (13500 PSI)
Spectral Gravity- 1.19
Rate of Decrease- 0.6 to 0.9 percent (.006 to.009 in/in)
Its unusual lightness is paired with relatively high strength and resilience to a variety of external stimuli.
Another characteristic of polycarbonate is its pliability. It is comparable to aluminum sheet metal in that it can be manufactured at room temperature without cracking or breaking.
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PET Plastic, or polyethylene terephthalate, is the most widely used thermoplastic in the world, having applications in textiles, films, packaging, electronics, vehicles, and other industries. It offers a remarkable mix of features that make it highly appealing to producers, such as chemical, thermal, mechanical resistance, and dimensional stability.
It is a transparent, semi-crystalline substance that occurs naturally. Its resistance to moisture, excellent strength-to-weight ratio, almost shatterproof (it will not break like glass packaging products), and easy accessibility as an economical and recycled plastic (resin identification number “1”) are some of its most essential properties.
DuPont researchers originally polymerized PET in the 1940s in order to produce polymer materials for use as textile materials. It is created by combining ethylene glycol with terephthalic acid. PET is exceptionally sturdy for its small weight even without additions to boost its strength.
It is frequently used in the production of plastic bottles for mineral water, liquor, and carbonated beverages.
Non-Oriented PET is frequently thermoformed into packing trays and blisters.
Its rigidity and incredible tensile stability make it an excellent choice for the production of tapes.
It is suitable for food flexible packaging due to a variety of physical qualities combined with chemical inactivity.
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PVC is a synthetic polymer that was discovered by chance in 1872. Eugene Baumann, a German physicist, subjected vinyl chloride gas to light from the sun. As a result, PVC is a white solid powder.
PVC is now the third most commonly made synthetic plastic polymer. It is extensively used since it is inexpensive and versatile.
PVC is utilized in a multitude of sectors, including construction, electronics, clothes, and, most crucially (in our fully impartial view), the production of one of our beloved rug pads.
PVC is sometimes misidentified as a thermosetting plastic, although it is primarily a thermoplastic.
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Polyethylene is a light, long-lasting thermoplastic with a crystalline form that varies. Polyethylene is one of the most frequently used polymers on the planet. It is utilized in a variety of markets for tubes, films, plastic components, laminates, and so on ( automotive, packaging, electrical, etc.).
Polyethylene is created by polymerizing ethylene (or ethene) molecules. The chemical symbol for polyethylene is (C2H4)n.
High-Density Polyethylene is a low-cost thermoplastic with a linear arrangement and little or no branching. It is produced at low temperatures (70-300°C) and pressures (10-80 bar) and is obtained from one of the following sources:
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Resin wicker, which is commonly used to build patio or deck furniture, is long-lasting, fade-resistant, and simple to care for. With typical use, the finest resin wicker patio furniture is made of high-density polyethylene and can last five to ten years.
Wicker made of resin is not natural. It is constructed of polyethylene resin that is spun into strands and weaved into furniture in the same way as rattan or bamboo is. Because of its longevity and resistance to deteriorating in the sun, the finest resin wicker patio furniture is composed of high-density polyethylene. When looking for resin wicker furniture, look for the HDPE sign, which is a triangle formed by arrows with the number 2 in the middle. If durability is your primary priority, steer clear of low-cost PVC furniture.
HDPE is a better grade thermoplastic that outperforms PVC in terms of strength, durability, and heat resistance. They combine high durability with minimal weight, making outdoor seats and tables considerably simpler to transport. Because certain molded plastic components are hollow, color-changing LEDs can be included.
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The accelerating trend of plastic waste generation, combined with unfavorable disposal, particularly in urban areas, has led to a worldwide environmental threat that has contributed to legislation, poor degradability, income development, rural-to-urban migration, increased consumption, and standard or living costs.
Plastic recycling recuperates scrap or expended plastic and serializes the substance into valuable products. plastic is non-biodegradable. It encompasses melting down carbonated drinks bottles and conjuring them as plastic tables and chairs. Plastics are reprocessed during the production process of plastic items such as plastic sheets, bags, and chairs.
Auxiliary furniture is quite important in the business sector and may be extremely beneficial in the new collaborative work environments that are prevalent in many organizations. It is practically vital in a co-working area to have a light chair that is simple to shift from one side to the other depending on the demands of the time. Even better if it’s a chair constructed from recyclable materials. In this manner, we will meet all of the requirements of ecological furniture: they are versatile and sturdy, as well as being made of recyclable plastic.
Although polyvinyl chloride scrap has been employed in piping and fittings, its use as an adhesive in bitumen uses has been problematic due to high melting temperatures that hampered mixing due to poor suitability.
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Nylon is a synthetic thermoplastic structural polyamide (a big molecule whose constituents are held together by a certain sort of bond) that was invented in 1935 by American scientist Wallace Carothers, who was employed at the DuPont research center in Delaware at the time. Wallace created Nylon 66, which is a technical term for nylon. During World War II, when organic resources such as rubber, silk, and latex were in limited supply, the need for synthetic materials, and Nylon in specific increased.
Nylon is utilized in a range of applications, including clothes, rubber reinforcement such as automobile tires, rope or thread, and various injection molded parts for cars and mechanical components. It is extremely robust, somewhat resistant to wear and moisture absorption, long-lasting, chemical-resistant, elastic, and simple to clean.
Nylon is a condensed copolymer made up of multiple distinct monomer types interacting with one another. It may be made in a variety of methods, the most common of which is a distillation from crude oil, although it can also be made from biomass.
Nylon is frequently used as a replacement for low-strength metals. Because of its sturdiness, temperature resistance, and chemical stability, it is the plastic of choice for components in automobile engine compartments.
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Acrylic is a clear thermoplastic type of polymer that is most widely known as “plexiglass.” The material, like polycarbonate, is appropriate for use as an impact-resistant substitute to glass. It was originally manufactured in 1928 and was introduced to the market 5 years later by the Rohm and Haas Company. It is widely regarded as one of the clearest polymers on the market. During WWII, it was utilized for submarine submersibles as well as turrets, airplane windows, and canopies, among other things. Soldiers whose eyes were hurt by fragments of broken acrylic fared significantly better than those whose eyes were injured by broken glass.
Acrylic is used for a number of applications in the current era and in general, which often make use of its inherent transparency and the dimensional stability of specific varieties. Acrylic nails, lenses, paint, barricades, medical gadgets, LCD displays, and furniture are examples of common applications. Because of its transparency, it is frequently used for windows, containers, and display enclosures.
Acrylic is a “thermoplastic” (and not a thermoset”), and the term refers to how the plastic reacts to heat. At their melting temperature, thermoplastic becomes liquid. The ability of thermoplastics to be heated to their melting point, chilled, then reheated without substantial deterioration is a key advantage. Instead of melting, thermoplastics such as acrylic liquefy, allowing them to be readily injection molded and then recycled.
It’s nearly impossible to envision our existence without plastic- yet utilizing them responsibly is the greatest issue confronting modern designers. Keekea is a plastic chair factory that provides environmentally friendly plastic chair options. Our crew is also always willing to give any information about how to use and dispose of our goods. Please contact us for a free consultation.
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