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High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) Injection Molding Service
RapidDirect offers durable, custom HIPS injection molding solutions with quick turnaround and budget-friendly pricing. Perfect for prototypes or production runs
HIPS in Injection Molding
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a widely used thermoplastic in the injection molding industry due to its excellent impact resistance and ease of processing. This material combines polystyrene’s hardness and rigidity with rubber’s impact resistance, making it ideal for applications that require durability and strength. HIPS is also known for its versatility, allowing for easy coloring, printing, and bonding, which makes it suitable for a wide range of products.
HIPS Board White: Provides a clean, aesthetic finish with excellent impact resistance and ease of processing.
HIPS is particularly advantageous in applications where a balance of toughness and stiffness is required. Its properties make it an excellent choice for products that must withstand mechanical stress without compromising appearance or finish. HIPS’s ability to be easily machined and fabricated makes it a preferred material for prototyping and small production runs.
| Price: | $$ | Available PA (Nylon) at RapidDirect: | HIPS Board White |
|---|---|
| Lead Time: | < 5 days |
| Wall Thickness: | 1mm |
| Tolerances: | ISO2768-C |
| Max Part Size: | 300 mm x 300 mm x 300 mm |
Plastic HIPS Properties
| Properties | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.03-1.06 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | 20-38 MPa |
| Flexural Strength | 35-62 MPa |
| Impact Strength | High |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.16 W/(m·K) |
| Melting Point | 95-105°C |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 70-100 x 10^-6 /°C |
| Moisture Absorption | Low |
| Chemical Resistance | Moderate |
| UV Resistance | Poor without additives |
Pros and Cons of HIPS Injection Molding
High Impact Polystyrene offers many benefits that make it suitable for injection molding. However, there are some of its downsides to consider before choosing it for any project.
Pros
- Excellent impact resistance and toughness.
- Economical and cost-effective material.
- Easy to process and versatile for various applications
Cons
- Poor UV resistance without additives.
- Moderate chemical resistance.
- Lower heat resistance compared to some other engineering plastics.
Applications of Injection Molded HIPS Parts
Injection molded HIPS parts are widely used across various industries, including:
- Automotive: Interior components, housings, and trims.
- Electronics: Enclosures, housings, and casings.
- Consumer Goods: Toys, kitchenware, and storage solutions.
- Packaging: Containers, trays, and protective packaging.
FAQs
Designing parts for HIPS injection molding involves several key considerations to ensure optimal performance and manufacturability. Uniform wall thickness is crucial to prevent warpage and provide consistent cooling. Adding draft angles to the design facilitates easy ejection from the mold. Proper rib and boss design can enhance structural integrity without adding excessive weight. It’s also important to incorporate adequate radii in corners to reduce stress concentrations. Additionally, the placement of gates, runners, and vents should be optimized to ensure smooth material flow and minimize defects such as sink marks and air traps.
Processing HIPS in injection molding differs from other thermoplastics primarily due to its lower melting point and higher impact resistance. HIPS requires lower processing temperatures, typically 180°C to 230°C, which can reduce energy consumption and wear on molding equipment. The material’s high impact strength can withstand more significant mechanical stress during processing. Also, HIPS’s lower shrinkage rate, around 0.4% to 0.7%, helps achieve precise dimensions and consistent part quality. However, HIPS’s poor UV resistance necessitates using additives or coatings for outdoor applications to prevent degradation.
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