IQS Newsroom Articles on Vacuum Formed Plastics
Vacuum Formed Plastics
Vacuum formed plastics are polymers manufactured through vacuum forming process in which sheets of plastic are heated until moldable and stretched in or on a mold. They are firmly held against the mold by a vacuum in between the sheet and the mold surface. These plastics are used in various industries such as automotive, medical, cosmetic, food, electronics, toys, athletic equipment, household products and clothing industries. The plastic sheets or films are made of styrene, ABS, PVC, polyethylene, polycarbonate, acrylic, PETG, anti-static and conductive materials. They are used to make a wide variety of 3-dimensional products, ranging from computer housing panels to packaging for a child's action figure.
The plastic sheets used during vacuum forming are made in a machine called a vacuum form table, consisting of a mechanism to heat the plastic sheet, which has a uniformed thickness, and hold it over a mold. The form table also consists of a chamber that air pumps out of in order to form a vacuum. This insures that the plastic sheet will adhere correctly to the mold, which is sometimes called a buck. This process transforms the plastic sheets into smooth, seamless products of many different shapes and sizes. The plastic parts have a high strength-to-weight ratio, are easily prototyped, and do not require any painting because the color is already added to the plastic before the thermoforming takes place. Additives are sometimes used, such as glass or metal powder, to increase durability and strength.