Plastic Part Material Selection: ABS, PP or POM? (A Practical Guide)
The success of your injection part begins with choosing the right plastic, even before the mold. The wrong material = a part that breaks, flexes, wears out or is needlessly expensive. This guide compares the five main thermoplastics MARG works with — ABS, PP, PE, POM, PA — by function and answers the question “which one for which part.” Quick Decision Table Material Strength Best-suited part Watch out ABS Rigid, dimensionally stable, good surface, economical Box/enclosure, panel, cover, general structural Weak in UV/outdoor PP Flexible, fatigue- and chemical-resistant, hinge Lidded boxes, living hinge, containers, automotive Less rigid, hard to bond/paint PE Chemical resistance, low friction, tough Sealed containers, bumpers, low-load parts Low rigidity, hard to bond POM High rigidity, low friction, precise dimensions Gears, bearings, clips, sliding mechanisms Expensive, hard to bond, heat-sensitive PA (nylon) Tough, wear- and temperature-resistant Gears, load-bearing parts, wearing components Absorbs moisture (dimensions shift); abrasive if filled Selection by Function Box, enclosure, cover → ABS (or PC) Requires rigidity, dimensional stability and a good surface. ABS is economical and ideal; if impact/temperature is critical, PC (polycarbonate) or ABS+PC. (See Electronic Box/Enclosure Mold.) ...