Home

News &
Analysis
Products &
Suppliers
Standards
Library
Reference
Library
Engineering
Community
4.3: Materials Used in Rotational Moulding
By R. J. Crawford
Capabilities:
Ceramic Manufacturing
Chemical Milling
Die Cutting
Electronic Manufacturing
Electrical and Electromechanical
Assembly
Services:
Computer Aided Design (CAD) /
Solid Modeling
Computer Aided Machining (CAM)
Certification
Design / Development
Reverse Engineering
Industry Served:
Aerospace / Avionics
Agriculture / Forestry
Automotive
Building / Construction
Chemicals / Raw Materials
From Practical Guide to Rotational Moulding
4.3 Materials Used in Rotational Moulding
Currently polyethylene, in its many forms, represents about 90% of all polymers that are rotationally moulded. PVC plastisols are also widely used, and
other materials such as polycarbonate, nylon, polypropylene, unsaturated polyesters, ABS, acetal, acrylics, cellulosics, epoxies, fluorocarbons, phenolics,
polybutylenes, polystyrenes, polyurethanes and silicones account for less than 3% of the market. This is summarised in Figure 4.1 and Table 4.1.

Figure 4.1: Typical usage of plastics in North American rotational moulding industry
Courtesy of Plastics Consulting Research Services
Table 4.1: Rotomouldability of plastics
Resin Type Mouldability Impact strength Characteristics Remarks
ABS Fair Poor Paintable, rigid Univ. of Akron Report AMCP-706-312
ABS (suspension polymerized) Good Good Paintable, rigid Material from Daicel, Japan
Acetal copolymer Fair Good Excellent stiffness, chemical resistance Was used commercially
Acrylic Unknown Poor Transparent
Cellulosics Fair/Poor Fair Translucent
Ethylene butyl acetate (EBA) Good Good Flexible Available in powder
Epoxy Fair Poor Used in statuary Thick, heavy
Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) Good Good Flexibility, impact
Fluoropolymers (PVDF, etc) Good Good Excellent chemical resistance Commercial applications as liners
Elastomers Good Good Fuel resistant/flexibility
lonomers Fair Good Impact strength Some commercial use
Polyamide/ Nylon Good Good
Interested in this book and others like it? Try EngineeringPro from Books24x7
<< Previous Excerpt | View Book Details | Next Excerpt >>
Copyright Rapra Technology Limited 2003 under license agreement with Books24x7
Products & Services
Prototyping Services
Prototyping services provide low-volume conceptual or working models of a design in a short time frame. Often, they are available from providers of high-volume
part services.
Search by Specification | Learn more about Prototyping Services
HOME REFERENCE LIBRARY TECHNICAL ARTICLES MATERIALS AND CHEMICALS 4.3: MATERIALS USED IN ROTATIONAL MOULDING
Search Reference Library Reference Library GO
Thermocouple Wire
Thermocouple wire is used to make or extend thermocouples. The wire connects thermocouples from the sensing point to the point of cold junction compensation
(CJC).
Search by Specification | Learn more about Thermocouple Wire
Timing Pulley Flanges
Timing pulley flanges are used to maintain belt contact with a pulley in a transmission application.
Search by Specification | Learn more about Timing Pulley Flanges
Foam Bonding Tapes
Foam bonding tapes are specialized tapes designed for adhesive joining of foam materials.
Search by Specification | Learn more about Foam Bonding Tapes
Plastic Tubing
Plastic tubing is tubing constructed from plastic compounds for use in fluid flow or structural systems, or as insulation or sheathing for electrical or heating
assemblies.
Search by Specification | Learn more about Plastic Tubing | Plastic Tubing Insights
Topics of Interest
4.4: Polyethylene
4.4 Polyethylene Polyethylene (PE) dominates the rotational moulding industry. The most obvious reasons for this are the ability of PE to withstand the long time-
temperature environment of the...
Chapter 4: Materials for Rotational Moulding
4.1 Introduction There are two main classes of plastics. About 80% of the millions of tons of plastics used in the world every year are thermoplastic and the
remaining 20% are thermosetting .
Appendix C: Abbreviations of Different Plastics
Abbreviation Plastics ABS Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene CA, CAB, & CAP Cellulosics (acetate, butyrates, & propionate) ETFE Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene FEP
Florinated ethylene propylene...
Chapter 13: Sealant Families
13.1 Introduction The various generic families of sealant materials are reviewed in this chapter. Properties and performance characteristics are presented
although they can vary considerably within...
Appendix A: Acronyms
A.1 Generic Polymeric Material Acronyms ABS Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene ABS + PMMA Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene + Acrylic Alloy ABS + PA
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene + Polyamide Alloy...