We’re committed to delivering turn-key manufacturing solutions for customers with defense and aerospace plastic injection molding needs. Our services include traditional and two-shot injection molding, 3D printing for steel mold inserts, and a wide range of secondary services.

HDPE’s adaptability across many industries comes from its excellent ability to balance strength, durability, and affordability.

Cost-effective: HDPE is an affordable material, making it a go-to option for manufacturers across various industries due to its cost efficiency.

HITOP is committed to assisting customers by offering a comprehensive one-stop solution, encompassing product design enhancement, initial sample creation, mold fabrication, injection molding, and product assembly.

The HDPE injection molding process begins by melting the HDPE pellets until they reach a moldable state. Once the material reaches the appropriate temperature inside the injection molding machine, it is injected into a mold cavity made of two parts—referred to as the “A” and “B” sides. After filling the cavity, the material hardens and cools into the desired shape almost immediately.

Additionally, household items such as milk crates, laundry baskets, and appliance components are often made from HDPE due to their strength and resistance to impact.

At Westec, we pride ourselves on our ability to produce injection-molded components that meet the most exacting standards of precision and accuracy. Our advanced injection molding technology and quality control measures ensure that every part we produce performs flawlessly, even in the most demanding applications. Our presses range from 28 to 610 tons. And, with operations that run 24/7, we have the capabilities to deliver scalable, flexible, versatile solutions, no matter how demanding your requirements are.

HDPE injection molding is a versatile, cost-effective solution for producing durable, high-quality plastic products across various industries.

Special attention should be given to shrinkage and warping during the cooling phase, as HDPE’s shrinkage rate can range from 1.5% to 4%.

FDA Approved: HDPE is available in FDA-approved grades, making it safe for food and medical applications, further increasing its versatility.

Its versatility allows manufacturers to mold HDPE into countless shapes and forms, making it popular in industries like packaging, automotive, construction, and more.

At Westec Plastics, we’re one of the only privately-owned and locally operated injection molders in the Bay Area of California. We’re proud to be a single-source provider of traditional and two-shot injection molding services, clean room injection molding, 3D printed steel mold inserts, in-house tooling maintenance and repair, and a variety of secondary services. We’re also versatile in our capabilities, so whether you need micro components or large parts, low or high-volume, we have everything we’ll need to get the job done. Get started with us today.

HDPE can be found in various items, including household containers, toys, industrial pipes, and heavy-duty shipping crates.

This plastic also has exceptional chemical resistance, making it immune to damage from most acids, bases, and other harsh substances.

Yes, HDPE can be easily molded into a variety of shapes and sizes. Its smooth texture and uniform structure make it suitable for creating complex designs through injection molding, making it a popular material for both industrial and consumer products.

Its tensile strength typically ranges from 3,200 to 4,500 psi, and its flexural modulus—measuring how much it can bend without breaking—falls between 145,000 to 225,000 psi.

Barrel Temperature: HDPE melts at temperatures between 180-280°C (356-536°F), depending on the specific grade. Maintaining the right temperature ensures proper melting without degrading the material.

Control Injection Pressure: To avoid sink marks, fine-tune the injection pressure and ensure adequate cooling time. Balancing these factors helps achieve a smoother surface and reduces the likelihood of defects.

FDA-approved HDPE is used to manufacture medical-grade tubing, containers for food and pharmaceuticals, and even certain medical devices.

Warping: Warping occurs when parts cool unevenly, leading to distortion. It is often a result of improper mold design or non-uniform cooling across the part.

Voids and Bubbles: Voids or air bubbles form when air gets trapped inside the material during the injection process. Fast injection speeds or improper venting can also contribute to this issue.

Additionally, HDPE is resistant to moisture, which makes it perfect for packaging products, piping systems, and even electrical insulation.

Cooling Rates: Rapid yet controlled cooling is essential to avoid warping or shrinkage while maintaining dimensional accuracy.

Sink Marks: These depressions on the surface of molded parts are caused by inadequate cooling or high injection pressure. They occur when the material shrinks inward due to a lack of support from the surrounding mold.

Hi, I am Sparrow Xiang, COO of the HiTop company, me and my team would be happy to meet you and learn all about your business, requirements and expectations.

The HDPE injection molding process involves several critical steps that transform raw HDPE pellets into a finished part.

Its strength, lightweight nature, and resistance to moisture and chemicals allow it to handle tough conditions, making it a preferred choice in everything from food packaging to construction.

The material’s versatility ensures it meets the demanding needs of industrial applications, from automotive to heavy-duty packaging.

Whether it’s used in heavy-duty industrial parts or everyday consumer goods, HDPE’s ability to maintain structural integrity under stress makes it a preferred material for injection molding.

Recyclable: Eco-friendly and fully recyclable, HDPE plays a role in reducing waste and supporting sustainable manufacturing practices.

Yes, HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) is widely used in injection molding applications. It is a versatile resin known for its high impact resistance, excellent stress crack resistance, and extreme durability, making it ideal for a variety of consumer and industrial products.

Its non-toxic, moisture-resistant, and chemical-resistant properties make HDPE a reliable material for products that must meet stringent health and safety standards.

HDPE’s chemical and moisture resistance also makes it suitable for construction hardware, where durability is required in harsh environments.

Flow Marks: Flow marks are visible streaks or lines that occur on the surface of the part. These are typically caused by low melt temperatures or inconsistent material flow within the mold cavity.

Durable: With a high strength-to-density ratio, HDPE is incredibly resilient, making it suitable for products that require toughness and longevity.

When it comes to injection molding, HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) offers distinct advantages, but it’s important to compare it to other common thermoplastics like polypropylene (PP) and nylon (PA) to understand its unique properties and best-use cases.

Known for its strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness, HDPE has become a go-to material for injection molding applications.

High Shrinkage: HDPE’s relatively high shrinkage rate can affect the accuracy of designs, requiring extra consideration during the molding process to achieve precise results.

Its strength, chemical resistance, and recyclability make it an ideal choice for applications ranging from consumer goods to industrial components.

The melt temperature of HDPE for injection molding typically ranges from 180-280°C. For high molecular weight HDPE grades, the ideal melting temperature range is slightly narrower, from 200-250°C. The mold temperature usually ranges between 20-95°C.

Whether you’re using HDPE to manufacture sturdy automotive parts, everyday consumer goods, or reliable packaging solutions, this thermoplastic excels in offering top-notch performance across various industries.

It begins with material selection, where the right grade of HDPE is chosen based on the desired properties and application.

Injection Pressure: Typical pressures range from 70 to 105 MPa, depending on the part’s size and complexity. This pressure ensures the molten HDPE fully fills the mold without defects.

HDPE’s impact strength, measured using the Izod test, is quite high, making it resistant to sudden impacts or heavy pressure.

HDPE injection molding is primarily used in industrial, automotive, and consumer goods applications. It can also be used for specialized products such as FDA-approved grades for food contact and medical devices, although these applications are less common.

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Proper mold design, with cooling channels positioned close to the mold surface, can help minimize these effects and produce parts with high precision.

Several key parameters need to be carefully controlled during the HDPE injection molding process to ensure optimal results:

Difficult to Bond: Due to its low surface energy, HDPE can be challenging to bond with other materials, often requiring specialized adhesives or surface treatments.

Mold Temperature: Mold temperatures should be kept between 20-95°C (68-194°F), depending on wall thickness. Thicker walls require higher mold temperatures to ensure uniform cooling.

It also performs well in low-temperature environments, maintaining its strength and durability even under cold conditions.

Adjust Process Parameters: Increase the melt temperature and slow down the injection speed to reduce issues like voids and bubbles. This allows for better material flow and minimizes air entrapment within the mold.

Optimize Mold Design: To prevent warping, ensure consistent wall thickness and proper cooling channel placement. Design considerations like uniformity in wall thickness can help in maintaining dimensional stability during cooling.

In the aerospace and defense industry, precision, reliability, and performance are paramount. At Westec, we specialize in providing high-quality injection molding solutions tailored to meet the stringent demands of aerospace and defense applications. With more than 50 years of experience behind us, we know how to leverage our state-of-the-art injection molding technology and rigorous quality control processes to ensure the highest level of precision and accuracy in every part we produce.

Temperature Sensitivity: HDPE’s mechanical properties can change significantly at higher temperatures, making it less ideal for applications exposed to extreme heat.

Chemical and Moisture Resistance: HDPE’s ability to resist chemicals and moisture makes it ideal for outdoor and industrial applications where exposure to harsh environments is common.

As a trusted provider of defense and aerospace plastic injection molding solutions, we believe that having advanced materials expertise isn’t a perk—it’s a necessity. At Westec, we offer unparalleled expertise in working with high-performance and engineering polymers including PEEK, Polysulfone, Ultem, to name only a few. With the right material, we aim to deliver injection molded parts that meet your every strength, durability, and performance requirement.