Vacuum Forming Materials Guide
Vacuum forming is a versatile manufacturing process that transforms heated plastic sheets into three-dimensional shapes using vacuum pressure. At Wellan, we offer a range of high-quality materials for vacuum forming, each selected to meet specific performance, aesthetic, and functional requirements. This guide provides an overview of our vacuum forming materials, helping you choose the right one for your project.
Quick Material Selection Guide
To select the best material for your vacuum forming project, consider the following factors:
- Primary Function of Your Part
- Structural: Choose ABS or Kydex for strength and durability.
- Decorative: Opt for Polycarbonate for clarity or HIPS for cost-effectiveness.
- Functional: Select materials with specific properties like impact resistance (HIPS) or chemical resistance (Polyethylene).
- Key Properties Required
- Strength: ABS, Kydex
- Clarity: Polycarbonate, Acrylic
- Impact Resistance: HIPS, ABS
- Cost-Effectiveness: HIPS, Polyethylene
- Environmental Conditions
- High Temperature: Polycarbonate, ABS
- Chemical Exposure: Polyethylene, PVC
- Budget
- Low Cost: HIPS, Polyethylene
- Higher Budget: Polycarbonate, Kydex
Vacuum Forming Materials at Wellan
Below is a detailed overview of the materials available for vacuum forming at Wellan, categorized by type, with descriptions, applications, and material options.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
- Description: A versatile thermoplastic known for its excellent balance of strength, toughness, and formability. It is widely used for creating sturdy parts with good dimensional stability and impact resistance, making it ideal for equipment covers, prototype panels, and system trays.
- Applications: Equipment covers, prototype panels, system trays.
- Material Options: Standard ABS, modified blends.
Polycarbonate
- Description: A high-performance thermoplastic offering exceptional toughness, clarity, and heat resistance. It is perfect for parts that need optical clarity and the ability to withstand high impact or temperature variations, such as clear equipment shields or protective prototype covers.
- Applications: Clear equipment shields, protective prototype covers, structural casings.
- Material Options: Clear, reinforced polycarbonate types.
HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene)
- Description: A cost-effective thermoplastic with good impact resistance and ease of shaping, suitable for applications where affordability and moderate performance are key, like packaging trays, prototype enclosures, and equipment liners.
- Applications: Packaging trays, prototype enclosures, equipment liners.
- Material Options: Standard HIPS, similar polystyrene blends.
Kydex
- Description: A durable thermoplastic known for its toughness, versatility, and ability to maintain a high-quality finish. It is excellent for parts that need to be strong, resistant to chemicals, and have a smooth surface, such as equipment casings, protective system covers, and custom trays.
- Applications: Equipment casings, protective system covers, custom trays.
- Material Options: Standard Kydex, similar blends for specific needs.
Other Materials
- Description: Wellan also offers a variety of other materials for vacuum forming, including Polyethylene, PVC, and PETG, which can be selected based on specific project requirements, offering options for chemical resistance, flexibility, or cost-effectiveness.
- Applications: Various applications depending on the material chosen.
- Material Options: Polyethylene, PVC, PETG, and more upon request.
Custom Materials
For projects requiring specialized materials not listed above, Wellan can provide custom options tailored to your specific needs. Let us know your requirements, and we’ll work with you to find the best solution.