How To Thermoforming Polystyrene Plastic Sheets

Sheet temperature is one of the most critical elements of the thermoforming process.

How to thermoforming polystyrene plastic sheets.

It is sheet temperature that dictates the process the end result being not just a better product but also decreased cycle time less scrap less floor space and reduced energy and labor costs. Styrene is commonly used in prototypes as it is dimensionally stable and easy to fabricate paint and glue. Recommended uses for styrene thermoform plastic sheets. Simply put our plastic part is now oriented.

Styrene is also nontoxic and odorless with excellent forming properties. Essentially drape forming bottom is clamping a piece of sheet plastic in some type of clamping mechanism putting this material into a heating oven heating the plastic sheet up to a desired temperature retracting it from the oven draping it over a mold trapping the sheet just inside the clamping mechanism over the edge of the mold flange and applying a vacuum to the mold chamber. Many plastic sheet materials can be shaped by thermoforming. Polystyrene is a thermoplastic that s solid at room temperature but will begin to melt at 210 c.

Most thermoforming companies recycle their scrap and waste plastic either by compressing in a baling machine or by feeding into a granulator grinder and producing ground flake for sale to reprocessing companies or re use in their own facility. While it is the most basic method of thermoforming it s also quick and affordable. The level of orientation is a function of the extent of stretching needed to push the part into various corners of the part 3. Styrene plastic is a go to machinable plastic when high impact resistance and machinability are needed at a cost effective price point.

Prototypes packaging soap and candle molds scale models theater props abs thermoform plastic sheets due to its low cost and superior physical properties abs acrylonitrile butadine styrene is one of the most popular thermoform plastics used for vacuum forming. When the plastic is pressed against the cool mold we freeze this orientation. Amorphous plastics like abs and polycarbonate generally have wide processing windows and good melt strength making them easy to thermoform. Importantly here is that the nature of the orientation of a polymer is affected by the rate of cooling of the plastic against the mold surface.

To do this large sheets of hips are heated and fitted over a custom tool. When we stretch a plastic in the forming press we orient the molecules. Polystyrene is available in three primary forms including a hard impact resistant plastic a lightweight foam and a thin film. Some plastics like hdpe and pp have narrower processing windows and lower melt strength which make them more difficult but not impossible to thermoform.