The wall thickness of plastic parts has a significant impact on quality. If the wall thickness is too small, flow resistance is high, making it difficult to fill the mold cavity for large and complex parts. The minimum wall thickness for plastic parts should meet the following requirements: How much does the wall thickness of a plastic part affect its quality?
- Sufficient strength and rigidity;
- Ability to withstand the impact and vibration of the demolding mechanism during demolding;
- Ability to withstand clamping forces during assembly. Injection molding plants specify minimum wall thickness values, which vary depending on the type, grade, and size of the plastic part. Excessive wall thickness in plastic part processing not only wastes raw materials but also increases molding time for thermosetting plastics and can easily lead to incomplete curing; for thermoplastics, it increases cooling time. Furthermore, it affects the quality of the plastic part. The wall thickness of the same injection molded part should be as uniform as possible; otherwise, uneven cooling and curing rates will generate additional stress.
Determining the appropriate wall thickness for plastic parts is crucial. The wall thickness of a plastic part is primarily determined by its intended use, including requirements for strength, cost, electrical performance, dimensional stability, and assembly. Generally, there are empirical values for wall thickness, which can be referenced to determine the appropriate thickness (e.g., irons typically have a wall thickness of 2mm, and vacuum cleaners are roughly 2.5mm). The following points should be noted:
a) The wall thickness of the plastic part should be as uniform as possible, avoiding excessively thin or thick sections and abrupt changes in thickness. If variations in wall thickness are unavoidable, a gradual transition or rounded edges should be used. Otherwise, uneven shrinkage can cause deformation, affect the part’s strength, and impact injection molding flowability, leading to molding process problems.https://solidcomould.com/product-category/injection-mould/office-furniture-mould/
b) The wall thickness of plastic parts is generally within the range of 1-5mm, with 2-3mm being the most commonly used.
c. Minimum wall thickness and recommended wall thickness values for commonly used plastic parts: (mm)
d. Avoid designing reinforcing ribs and screw posts to be too thick. It is generally recommended to use half the wall thickness of the main body for safety; otherwise, shrinkage and other appearance problems may occur.
e. Avoid designing parts as separate flat plates, except for very small parts, otherwise deformation will cause unevenness in the parts.
