At PolyBlend, we manufacture various ranges of polymer solutions for various markets. To shine a product spotlight one of those is the dip moulding market.
Originally used in the art of candle making, dip molding has grown into a high-tech manufacturing method that competes head-to-head with other plastic and rubber molding processes. In its basic form, dip molding involves the heating of a metal mold with the internal dimensions of the desired part. These heated molds are then immersed or “dipped” in a tank of liquid Vinyl / PVC known as plastisol. The heat from the mold attracts the cool plastisol and the part is formed. The molds are extracted from the liquid and heat cured. After the parts are cured, they are cooled, stripped from the molds, and packed for shipment or secondary operation – i.e. parts fitment or printing.
Processors use plastisol as their raw material to produce a coating material in their dip moulding process. This is both cost effective and time efficient in comparison to many other processes, such as injection moulding.
In plastics processing, dip molding is a process of shaping of plastics by moulding to produce a coating of components with PVC which has many applications. This process plays a huge role in manufacturing the products which are driving the growth of the plastisol market, which means dip moulding is also growing in popularity
Plastic dip moulding is a technique where metal parts are coated with a plastic vinyl material. This material is known as Plastisol and is the most used material for dip moulding because it is easy to use and affordable. PVC Dip Moulded products offer both flexibility and durability along with low set-up costs, making them an excellent choice for 1000’s of applications.
BENEFITS OF DIP MOLDING
Low tooling costs…typically a fraction of injection molding
Quick and inexpensive prototypes
Short lead-times on custom tooling…weeks versus months
Innovative materials and textures
More vibrant colors can be achieved with vinyl
No internal stress molded into parts
Large parts can be made without significant tooling INVESTMENT
BENEFITS OF DIP MOLDED CAPS AND PLUGS
Caps of varying lengths can be made with no additional tooling charge
Vinyl material stretches to fit odd shapes and easily conforms to beaded or flared tubes
Vinyl material will not crack or split like Low-Density Polyethylene
Vinyl material does not shred when capping or plugging threaded items
At POLYBLEND UK LIMITED, we also offer dip moulded plastisol products with the addition of antiviral and antimicrobial additives. We have the capability to add further speciality to dip moulded products through incorporating antimicrobial and antiviral protection. We have formulated and certified our new PB-Protect range to any of our PVC coatings. We incorporate the additives at a very specific manufacturing stage to lock-in to the polymer matrix. We have formulated and with Polygiene Biomaster Antimicrobial Technology‘s world-leading antiviral additives that reduces the presence of bacteria and viruses by 99% and is functional for the lifetime of the product.
We believe that for added protection, antiviral additives should be incorporated into products and commonly touched surfaces where possible. Antimicrobial PVC coatings are an effective way of keeping high touch points more hygienic in a time of heightened awareness of the dangers of cross-contamination from harmful microbes in many different areas and applications.
Given the widespread applications of dip moulded PVC in today’s society, this is the ideal material to be formulated with this form of protection. Whether you need a cost-effective masking solution, or an attractive finished item, Polyblend has the solutions for you.
Please do reach out if you would like to discuss making your dip moulded products with our specialty range of PVC plastisols. Alternatively, you can request a brochure to find out more information!
Published by
Technical Manager at POLYBLEND UK LIMITED
