Tooling + Injection Molding Materials
As you consider your options for low-volume injection molding, talk to our experts. We can work with any production plastic material your project requires, but the most common options are listed below.
Tooling
| Material | Applications | Rockwell Hardness | Surface Finish |
H-13 Steel | Post-hardened steel for high volume molds | 48-52 Rc | Up to SPI A-1 |
Stainless Steel | Post-hardened stainless steel for high volume molds | 50-52 Rc | Up to SPI A-1 |
P-20 Steel | Pre-hardened tool steel for middle volume molds | 28-32 Rc | Up to SPI B-2 |
Nak 80 Steel | Pre-hardened tool steel for middle volume molds | 38-41 Rc | Up to SPI B-2 |
S50C Steel | Tool steel for low volume molds | 20–24 Rc | Up to SPI B3 |
718 Steel | Tool steel for low volume molds | 28-32 Rc | Up to SPI C-1 |
Materials |
H-13 Steel |
APPLICATIONSPost-hardened steel for high volume molds |
ROCKWELL HARDNESS48-52 Rc |
SURFACE FINISH |
Materials |
Stainless Steel |
APPLICATIONSPost-hardened stainless steel for high volume molds |
ROCKWELL HARDNESS50-52 Rc |
SURFACE FINISH |
Materials |
P-20 Steel |
APPLICATIONSPre-hardened tool steel for middle volume molds |
ROCKWELL HARDNESS28-32 Rc |
SURFACE FINISH |
Materials |
Nak 80 Steel |
APPLICATIONSPre-hardened tool steel for middle volume molds |
ROCKWELL HARDNESS38-41 Rc |
SURFACE FINISH |
Materials |
S50C Steel |
APPLICATIONSTool steel for low volume molds |
ROCKWELL HARDNESS20–24 Rc |
SURFACE FINISH |
Materials |
718 Steel |
APPLICATIONSTool steel for low volume molds |
ROCKWELL HARDNESS28-32 Rc |
SURFACE FINISH |
Tooling
| Material | Description | Tensile Yield (0.125 in2) | Flexural Strength | Flexural Modulus | Izod Impact Strength (Notched) | Heat Deflection Under Load | Density |
ABS | Common thermoplastic with good impact resistance and toughness. | 6,500 psi (45 MPa) | 11,700 psi (80 MPa) | 380,000 psi (2,620 MPa) | 5.5 ft-lb/in (292 J/m) | 190°F (88°C) | 0.0379 lb/in3 (1.05 g/cc) |
Polypropylene | Thermoplastic polymer used for a wide number of applications. | 4,900 psi (35 MPa) | 26,100 psi (180 MPa) | 210,000 psi (1,450 MPa) | 0.6 ft-lb/in (32 J/m) | 219°F (102°C) | 0.0324 lb/in3 (0.90 g/cc) |
Polyoxmethylene | Dimensionally stable thermoplastic with high stiffness and low friction. | 10,000 psi (70 MPa) | 14,000 psi (100 MPa) | 450,000 psi (3,100 MPa) | 1.41 ft-lb/in (75 J/m) | 216°F (102°C) | 0.0513 lb/in3 (1.42 g/cc)* |
Polycarbonate | Thermoplastic material with good temperature resistance and impact strength. | 9,000 psi (62 MPa) | 18,000 psi (124 MPa) | 340,000 psi (2,335 MPa) | 15 ft-lb/in (795 J/m)* | 290°F (143°C) | 0.0434 lb/in3 (1.20 g/cc) |
Polycarbonate / ABS | Blend of PC and ABS that creates strong parts for a variety of applications. | 8,000 psi (55 MPa) | 13,000 psi (90 MPa) | 370,000 psi (2,550 MPa) | 13 ft-lb/in (689 J/m) | 202°F (94°C) | 0.0415 lb/in3 (1.15 g/cc) |
PVC | PVC is a polymer with good insulation properties, high hardness, and good mechanical properties. | 4,500 psi (31 MPa) | 7,150 psi (50 MPa) | 275,000 psi (1,900 MPa) | 15 ft-lb/in (795 J/m)* | 226°F (108°C) | 0.0487 lb/in3 (1.35 g/cc) |
Nylon | Polymer material that is durable with high elongation and good abrasion resistance. | 8,400 psi (58 MPa) | 9,430 psi (65 MPa) | 175,000 psi (1,200 MPa) | 2.1 ft-lb/in (111 J/m) | 190°F (88°C) | 0.0411 lb/in3 (1.14 g/cc) |
Nylon 32% Glass Fiber | Polymer with excellent mechanical stiffness and elevated temperature resistance. | 18,000 psi (125 MPa)* | 29,000 psi (200 MPa) | 900,000 psi (6,200 MPa)* | 2.5 ft-lb/in (133 J/m)* | 380°F (193°C) | 0.0498 lb/in3 (1.38 g/cc) |
Acrylic (PMMA) | Material with resistance to breakage often used for transparent applications. | 9,400 psi (65 MPa) | 8,500 psi (58 MPa) | 250,000 psi (1,725 MPa) | 1.0 ft-lb/in (53 J/m) | 181°F (83°C) | 0.0422 lb/in3 (1.17 g/cc) |
Styrene | Light weight material popular for its high impact strength and toughness. | 6,530 psi (45 MPa) | 9,510 psi (65 MPa) | 440,000 psi (3,030 MPa) | 1.9 ft-lb/in (101 J/m)* | 174°F (79°C) | 0.0379 lb/in3 (1.05 g/cc) |
Polyether Imide | Thermoplastic with high heat resistance and excellent mechanical properties. | 16,000 psi (110 MPa) | 24,000 psi (165 MPa) | 510,000 psi (3,500 MPa) | 1.0 ft-lb/in (53 J/m) | 400°F (204°C)* | 0.0549 lb/in3 (1.27 g/cc)* |
Materials |
ABS |
DESCRIPTIONCommon thermoplastic with good impact resistance and toughness. |
TENSILE YIELD |
FLEXURAL STRENGTH11,700 psi (80 MPa) |
FLEXURAL MODULUS380,000 psi (2,620 MPa) |
IZOD IMPACT STRENGTH |
HEAT DEFLECTION |
DENSITY0.0379 lb/in³ (1.05 g/cc) |
Materials |
Polypropylene |
DESCRIPTION |
TENSILE YIELD |
FLEXURAL STRENGTH26,100 psi (180 MPa) |
FLEXURAL MODULUS210,000 psi (1,450 MPa) |
IZOD IMPACT STRENGTH |
HEAT DEFLECTION |
DENSITY0.0324 lb/in³ (0.90 g/cc) |
Materials |
Polyoxmethylene |
DESCRIPTIONDimensionally stable thermoplastic with high stiffness and low friction. |
TENSILE YIELD |
FLEXURAL STRENGTH14,000 psi (100 MPa) |
FLEXURAL MODULUS450,000 psi (3,100 MPa) |
IZOD IMPACT STRENGTH |
HEAT DEFLECTION |
DENSITY0.0513 lb/in³ (1.42 g/cc)* |
Materials |
Polycarbonate |
DESCRIPTIONThermoplastic material with good temperature resistance and impact strength. |
TENSILE YIELD |
FLEXURAL STRENGTH18,000 psi (124 MPa) |
FLEXURAL MODULUS340,000 psi (2,335 MPa) |
IZOD IMPACT STRENGTH |
HEAT DEFLECTION |
DENSITY0.0434 lb/in³ (1.20 g/cc) |
Materials |
Polycarbonate / ABS |
DESCRIPTIONBlend of PC and ABS that creates strong parts for a variety of applications. |
TENSILE YIELD |
FLEXURAL STRENGTH13,000 psi (90 MPa) |
FLEXURAL MODULUS370,000 psi (2,550 MPa) |
IZOD IMPACT STRENGTH |
HEAT DEFLECTION |
DENSITY0.0415 lb/in³ (1.15 g/cc) |
Materials |
PVC |
DESCRIPTIONPVC is a polymer with good insulation properties, high hardness, and good mechanical properties. |
TENSILE YIELD |
FLEXURAL STRENGTH7,150 psi (50 MPa) |
FLEXURAL MODULUS275,000 psi (1,900 MPa) |
IZOD IMPACT STRENGTH |
HEAT DEFLECTION |
DENSITY0.0487 lb/in³ (1.35 g/cc) |
Materials |
Nylon |
DESCRIPTIONPolymer material that is durable with high elongation and good abrasion resistance. |
TENSILE YIELD |
FLEXURAL STRENGTH9,430 psi (65 MPa) |
FLEXURAL MODULUS175,000 psi (1,200 MPa) |
IZOD IMPACT STRENGTH |
HEAT DEFLECTION |
DENSITY0.0411 lb/in³ (1.14 g/cc) |
Materials |
Nylon 32% Glass Fiber |
DESCRIPTIONPolymer with excellent mechanical stiffness and elevated temperature resistance. |
TENSILE YIELD |
FLEXURAL STRENGTH29,000 psi (200 MPa) |
FLEXURAL MODULUS900,000 psi (6,200 MPa)* |
IZOD IMPACT STRENGTH |
HEAT DEFLECTION |
DENSITY0.0498 lb/in³ (1.38 g/cc) |
Materials |
Acrylic (PMMA) |
DESCRIPTIONMaterial with resistance to breakage often used for transparent applications. |
TENSILE YIELD |
FLEXURAL STRENGTH8,500 psi (58 MPa) |
FLEXURAL MODULUS250,000 psi (1,725 MPa)* |
IZOD IMPACT STRENGTH |
HEAT DEFLECTION |
DENSITY0.0422 lb/in³ (1.17 g/cc) |
Materials |
Styrene |
DESCRIPTIONLight weight material popular for its high impact strength and toughness. |
TENSILE YIELD |
FLEXURAL STRENGTH9,510 psi (65 MPa) |
FLEXURAL MODULUS440,000 psi (3,030 MPa)* |
IZOD IMPACT STRENGTH |
HEAT DEFLECTION |
DENSITY0.0379 lb/in³ (1.05 g/cc) |
Materials |
Polyether Imide |
DESCRIPTIONThermoplastic with high heat resistance and excellent mechanical properties. |
TENSILE YIELD |
FLEXURAL STRENGTH24,000 psi (165 MPa) |
FLEXURAL MODULUS510,000 psi (3,500 MPa)* |
IZOD IMPACT STRENGTH |
HEAT DEFLECTION |
DENSITY0.0549 lb/in³ (1.27 g/cc)* |
* Exceptional Properties
Note: Material properties are for general reference purpose only. Actual values may vary based on specific material selected.
