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MATERIALS & MANUFACTURING

The right material for your plastic part

From molded production and low-volume casting to CNC and 3D printing. Compare plastic materials by application, appearance and manufacturing process.

Clear circular guard with mounting ears, an ivory connector and a blue end cap
04Processes · Prototype to production
General, engineering & high-performance plasticsRigid, clear & flexible optionsMaterial and process, selected together

Vacuum Casting Materials

Select casting resins for appearance, flexibility and functional testing, retaining the identity of each performance-like formulation.

CASTING RESINS
8 Materials
Small ivory enclosure shell with a smooth curved face, side opening and internal mounting posts

ABS-Like Casting Resin

Performance-like / flexible casting

ABS-like polyurethane resin produces housing prototypes and small-batch presentation parts for fit and handling checks. It targets ABS-style behavior while retaining a different chemistry from ABS.

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Typical Applications

Housing prototypes, assembly checks and small-batch presentation parts.

Selection Notes

Specify casting grade, load, temperature, color, surface finish and expected service duration.

Clear curved capsule-shaped cover with flat mounting tabs at both ends

PMMA-Like Casting Resin

Performance-like / flexible casting

PMMA-like polyurethane resin supports transparent prototype windows, display covers and appearance models. Clarity depends on the resin, section thickness and finishing, rather than PMMA identity.

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Typical Applications

Transparent viewing windows, display covers and appearance prototypes.

Selection Notes

Provide resin grade, clarity, thickness, yellowing expectations and surface treatment.

White fork-shaped roller bracket with a cylindrical roller and side supports

POM-Like Casting Resin

Performance-like / flexible casting

POM-like polyurethane resin captures the form and fit of POM-style mating components and transmission prototypes. Sliding and wear applications require performance data for the casting resin.

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Typical Applications

Mating-part prototypes, transmission-form studies and assembly models.

Selection Notes

Define fit, mating material, sliding load, duty cycle and required service life.

Clear instrument front cover with a trapezoidal outline, raised viewing window and two round button openings

PC-Like Casting Resin

Performance-like / flexible casting

PC-like polyurethane resin supports PC-style housings, covers and functional prototypes. Transparency, impact behavior and heat exposure are specified for the casting formulation, separately from actual PC.

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Typical Applications

Equipment enclosures, clear covers and functional evaluation prototypes.

Selection Notes

State resin grade, transparency, loads, temperature, color and finish.

Dark-gray latch housing with a side guide channel, round pivot boss and curved locking tongue

PA-Like (Nylon-Like) Casting Resin

Performance-like / flexible casting

PA-like polyurethane resin reproduces nylon-style part forms for assembly and functional-target checks. Its chemistry differs from PA6, PA66 and PA12 used in other manufacturing routes.

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Typical Applications

Connector prototypes, assembly models and functional-target comparisons.

Selection Notes

Provide resin grade, hardness, loads, mating geometry and test conditions.

Black branching air-duct housing with a rectangular inlet and two round outlets

Heat-Resistant ABS-Like Casting Resin

Performance-like / flexible casting

Heat-resistant ABS-like polyurethane resin targets enclosure and duct prototypes near heat sources. Temperature, exposure duration and load define the requirements for this ABS-style resin system.

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Typical Applications

Enclosure, duct and equipment prototypes near heat sources.

Selection Notes

Provide resin grade, peak and continuous temperature, exposure duration, load and finish.

Gray-blue flexible cushioning boot with a square recess, thick rounded corners and side opening

Flexible PU / Rubber-Like Casting Resin

Performance-like / flexible casting

Flexible polyurethane casting resin gives rubber-like handling to soft covers, cushioning pads and grip prototypes. The cured resin remains distinct from thermoplastic TPU used in molding.

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Typical Applications

Flexible protective covers, cushioning pads, grips and tactile prototypes.

Selection Notes

Specify hardness, rebound, tear requirements, deformation, contact conditions and color.

Pale-blue semi-flexible clip-on cover with an arched top and three downward snap fingers

PP-Like Casting Resin

Performance-like / flexible casting

PP-like polyurethane resin supports flexible covers, lids and handling prototypes with PP-style design goals. Its flexing and chemical-contact behavior depend on the casting formulation, rather than polypropylene.

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Typical Applications

Flexible covers, lids and handling-evaluation prototypes.

Selection Notes

Provide resin grade, bend geometry, flex cycles, contact chemicals and finish.

Silicone molds do not make every cast part silicone. ABS-like and PC-like names describe performance targets, not identical thermoplastic chemistry.

CROSS-PROCESS SELECTION

One material name. Different manufacturing routes.

Separate actual polymer families from performance-like resins, then compare feedstock, grade and application for each process.

Identical Material Across FourThis catalog does not establish one identical material and grade across all four processes.

Polymer Family Across ThreePA/Nylon: CNC, molding and printing; confirm species such as PA6, PA66 and PA12 separately.

Polymer Families Across TwoCNC and molding: ABS, PC, PMMA, POM and PEEK. PVC also requires rigid/flexible formulation checks.

Material / FamilyCNCInjection MoldingVacuum Casting3D Printing
ABSABSABS——
PA / NylonNylon StockPA6 / PA66—PA12 / Composites
PCPCPC——
PMMAPMMAPMMA——
POMPOMPOM——
PEEKPEEKPEEK——
PVC FamilyPVC StockFlexible PVC——
PP—PP——

Actual Polymer

Same Family; Confirm Species and Formulation

PA/Nylon spans CNC, molding and printing, but PA6/PA66 and PA12 are different species. ABS, PC, PMMA, POM and PEEK span CNC and molding at family level. Confirm PVC formulations. This catalog does not establish an identical material and grade across all four processes.

ENGINEERING & QUALITY

Turn a material name into clear part requirements

Grades, reinforcement and processing affect finished-part behavior. Share the operating conditions so selection and acceptance follow the same requirements.

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01

Start with the application

Loads, operating temperature, chemical exposure and dimensions define the material properties to check.

02

Define appearance and processing needs

Specify color, clarity, finish, assembly and quantity so material and process can be reviewed together.

03

Confirm samples and inspection

Share a specified grade or performance target, then agree samples, critical dimensions and material documentation.

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Review material and process together

Review use, geometry and quantity to choose a plastic manufacturing route for the project stage.

Connect prototypes to production

Validate with CNC, printing or casting, then plan the transition to molded production.

Coordinate around part requirements

Keep engineering feedback, appearance, assembly and quality requirements in one project conversation.

MATERIAL QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which materials are shared across these four processes?

Within this catalog, the PA/Nylon family appears in CNC, molding and printing, but the species differ: CNC nylon stock with a specified species, PA6/PA66, and PA12 or nylon composites. ABS, PC, PMMA, POM and PEEK appear in CNC and molding. PVC also has two routes; confirm each formulation rather than assuming equivalence. Casting like-resins are separate performance alternatives; no identical material and grade is established across all four processes.

Are ABS-like and PC-like casting resins the named plastics?

No. These names describe appearance or selected performance targets. These casting options are resin systems and do not identify actual ABS, PC, PMMA, POM or PA. Obtain the actual resin grade and review strength, heat exposure, aging and service conditions. A successful fit-check prototype does not automatically establish equivalent long-term performance.

Can PA6, PA66 and printed PA12 be exchanged directly?

They are not direct substitutes. They share the polyamide family, but polymer species, formulations, reinforcement and manufacturing routes differ. Specify grade, loads, temperature, humidity and fits, and agree on dry or conditioned inspection states. Identify fillers explicitly; glass fiber and glass beads must not be merged under an unspecified reinforced-nylon label.

Can clear 3D print resin be treated as PC or PMMA?

Transparency does not establish polymer identity. The clear and translucent Resin options are photopolymers, while PC and PMMA are thermoplastics with their own grades. For a viewing window or cover, compare appearance, thickness, finishing, loads and environment across the routes, using each material’s own data.

How do flexible PVC, CNC PVC and TPE/TPU differ?

Flexible molding PVC and CNC PVC can be compared at family level. Specify rigid or flexible formulation and stock grade for CNC rather than assuming identical formulations. TPE is a thermoplastic-elastomer family that includes TPU. For flexible parts, define chemistry, hardness, rebound, contact conditions and any overmolding substrate. Cured casting PU is also distinct from thermoplastic TPU.

What information should accompany a material-selection request?

Provide CAD or drawings, quantity, critical dimensions and fits, plus loads, peak and continuous temperatures, chemical contact, color, clarity and finish. If a material is specified, include its full grade, filler, hardness and required records; add conditioning requirements where relevant. Separate visual, functional-validation and long-term service objectives so material, process and finishing can be reviewed together.

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Black vented instrument housing and lid with internal mounting bosses and a threaded opening

Injection Molding Plastics

ABS

Tough, impact-tolerant ABS molds into detailed housings, instrument panels and everyday product covers. Its balance of appearance and structural performance suits many general-purpose molded parts.

Typical Applications

Equipment housings, instrument panels and consumer-product covers.

Selection Notes

Provide the molding grade, loads, operating temperature, color and surface finish.

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