The Three Most Commonly Used Types of Specialty Compounding Plastic

Designers and manufacturers demand a lot from the materials they use. Materials are chosen based on the characteristics of the device's application. Modern electronics and design have created a need for highly specialized materials, such as metal plating and specialty compounding plastic. These two manufacturing processes, and other similar ones, add specific character traits to plastic. Most plastic parts we see and use every day have been created, in part, by specialty compounding.

What are the three most popular forms of specialty compounding?

Although there are many types of plastic additives, such as glow-in-the-dark, anti-oxidants, and scratch-resistant, the three most popular are:
UV Corrosion Protection – UV rays harm most materials after extended exposure, and plastic is no different. Specialty compounding plastic parts with UV protection ensures that parts and devices work optimally regardless of the environment or sunshine. When added to plastic, UV protection increases the piece's lifespan by up to 10 years.
Thermal Stabilizers – plastic parts are prone to melting and warping due to heat. It is one of the leading causes of plastic degradation. Even long exposure to the sun can be warm enough to cause cracking or breaking.
Anti-Microbial – germs and bacteria live everywhere, but with the help of plastic additives, steps can be taken to mitigate those issues. The medical industry greatly benefits from this type of plastic because it drastically increases sanitization and safety around the people that need it most.

Related Reading

• Understanding Materials Used for Specialty Compounding Plastic
• Understanding Polymer Additives
• Using Specialty Compounding to Enhance the Aesthetics of Plastic Parts