A continuous hose needs an extrusion grade; a moulded fitting needs an injection grade. Those process categories still leave the application requirements unspecified. When ordering plastic raw materials from Innovative PVC, manufacturers need to specify the appropriate grade, processing requirements and expected performance characteristics. Selecting the right grade also involves assessing tooling specifications, product requirements and sample performance under actual production conditions.
A continuous hose and a moulded fitting require different material specifications because one passes through a die and the other fills a cavity. Selecting raw plastic materials involves identifying the polymer family, then specifying a grade for that process and product.
At Innovative PVC, we manufacture PVC compounds for extrusion and injection moulding, with formulations tailored to specific manufacturing processes and end-use applications.
Raw Plastic Material Types
Low-density polyethylene suits flexible packaging film because it bends readily; high-density polyethylene provides stiffness for bottles and containers. Polypropylene’s resistance to repeated flexing makes it useful for moulded closures with integral hinges. PVC can be formulated for applications like rigid electrical fittings.
These polymer materials each contain multiple grades. Molecular characteristics influence flow during processing, so a polymer name alone does not specify a material for your machine.
Base resin provides the primary polymer component, while plastic compounds combine resin with selected additives to achieve specific processing and performance characteristics. PVC compounding involves blending resin with additives that influence flexibility, processing behaviour and resistance to thermal degradation.
Compound Formulation and Product Requirements
Flexible hose walls require compounds that can bend without compromising their intended performance. PVC plasticisers increase flexibility, while unplasticised formulations provide the rigidity required for applications such as electrical fittings. Heat stabilisers protect PVC during processing, as the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers explains.
Your specification also needs to describe the product’s use. A garden hose requires resistance to sunlight; a footwear component needs properties appropriate to repeated bending and contact with the ground. Our formulations can be tailored to meet application-specific requirements, including colour specifications and UV stability.
Manufacturing Processes and Grade Selection
Extrusion produces a continuous cross-section. As the compound leaves the die, cooling and haul-off affect its dimensions. For a hollow hose, the material must retain its wall geometry during this stage.
During injection moulding, molten compound flows through gates to fill the mould cavity. Thin sections and long flow paths increase the demands on filling, while cooling shrinkage affects dimensions after release. Selecting suitable plastic materials for manufacturing therefore requires an understanding of the tooling specifications and finished-product design.
Our range includes:
- Flexible extrusion compounds for hoses and gasket profiles.
- Flexible injection compounds for moulded footwear components.
- Rigid injection compounds for pipe and electrical fittings.
- Rigid extrusion compounds for conduits and trunking.
The process designation identifies the manufacturing method, while the application specification determines the appropriate compound grade.
Production Trials and Material Approval
Production trials allow manufacturers to evaluate the selected compound grade using their existing tooling and processing conditions. Extrusion trials assess factors such as wall thickness and profile dimensions, while injection moulding trials evaluate cavity filling and dimensional accuracy after cooling.
We supply samples for every new grade and customer. Once you confirm the compound is fit for use, you sign a Sample Approval Form (SAF) identifying the material approved for your application.
Find the Right Raw Plastic Materials for Your Manufacturing Needs
Choosing the right raw plastic materials is essential for consistent processing, reliable product performance and efficient manufacturing. At Innovative PVC, we help manufacturers identify PVC compound grades suited to their equipment, production requirements and end-use applications.
Contact Innovative PVC to discuss your material specifications and find the right PVC solution for your application.
FAQs
What are the main types of raw plastic materials used in manufacturing?
Common raw plastic materials include polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC. Each polymer family offers different properties, such as flexibility, rigidity and processing behaviour, making material selection dependent on the manufacturing process and intended application.
What is the difference between PVC raw materials and PVC compounds?
PVC raw materials typically include base resin and the additives used in compounding. A PVC compound combines these ingredients in a formulation designed to achieve specific processing characteristics and finished-product properties.
How do manufacturers choose the right plastic materials for manufacturing?
Manufacturers should consider the polymer type, processing method, tooling specifications and required product performance. Sample trials help determine whether a selected compound grade performs consistently under actual production conditions.
Why are production trials important when selecting PVC compounds?
Production trials allow manufacturers to assess how PVC compounds behave during extrusion or injection moulding. They help verify factors such as material flow, dimensional accuracy and finished-product performance before approving a grade for regular production.
