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.
Contact us for more information about the use of plastics in household appliances.