The Use of Plastics in Household Appliances

As societies progress, people have become busier than ever. Employers, customers, friends, and family demand more, leaving less time to do chores, prepare meals, and preserve perishable items. That is why appliances have become so important.

From keeping food fresh to washing dishes with little labor, appliances reduce the time and effort spent on household tasks. This enables people to spend their free time doing the things they love. Without high-performance thermoplastics, however, these devices might not operate at optimal levels or be available at affordable price points.

At Preferred Plastics, we are passionate about the materials that enhance our world. Here is an in-depth look at how plastics play a role in the household appliances we depend on every day.

High-Tech Appliances Need Innovative Materials

In the past, metal was the prevailing material to produce appliances. Its use made resulted in overweight, hard-to-move, energy inefficient, and expensive devices. Also, metal limited manufacturer design capabilities.

The emergence of several rigid and flexible plastics with advanced performance properties freed manufacturers to develop and deliver home appliances to the marketplace that are more robust, cost-efficient, and appealing to consumers. These plastic types include:

Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or ABS
High-impact polystyrene, or HIPS
High-density polyethylene, or HDPE
Medium-density polyethylene, or MDPE
Low-density polyethylene, or LDPE
Thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU
Thermoplastic elastomer, or TPE
Polyethylene terephthalate, or PETG
Noryl® PPO
Extra-high molecular weight polyethylene, or EHMW
Thermoplastic olefin, or TPO
Thermoplastic vulcanizates, or TPV

Replacing metal with cutting-edge plastics has given appliance manufacturers a wealth of options, which has led to innovative designs and improved performance. Here are some advantages that plastics bring to appliance applications.

Greater aesthetic appeal
Energy savings
Decreased weight
Higher abrasion resistance
Better temperature resistance
Quieter operation
Greater corrosion resistance
Less expensive to maintain

Your Appliance Plastics Provider

The role of plastics in the development and manufacture of appliances has never been more influential. They are critical to the operation of just about everything people use day in, day out.

Smart home devices
Refrigerators
Dishwashers
Clothes washing machine
Clothes dryer
Water heater
Microwave
Coffee maker
Water purifier
Food processor
Juicer
Pressure cooker
Oven
Barbecue smoker
Toaster
Humidifier
Sewing machine
Freezer
Vacuum cleaners
Blenders
Air conditioner
Heater
Domestic robots
Garbage disposals
Hairdryer

Preferred Plastics is your source for custom rigid and flexible plastics for appliance applications. We are an ISO 9001:2015-certified extruder of thermoplastic resins for a variety of markets. Here is our range of custom extrusions for appliances.

Trim
Seals
Gaskets
Tubing
Weather stripping

Our knowledgeable team specializes in the development of resilient and aesthetically pleasing appliance custom plastic parts. We partner with you, using a proven consultative approach aimed at successfully addressing functionality, longevity, safety, and compliance.

Sometimes standard thermoplastics are not always right for every appliance application. That is why we offer custom compounds upon request.

At Preferred Plastics, we understand that delivering innovative products to market is critical for appliance manufacturers. A key component of our turnkey extrusion and finishing services is dedicated customer support. From the initial call to finished product delivery, we ensure the plastics products we provide meet your needs.