What are the main raw materials for plastic toolboxes
The selection of raw materials for plastic toolboxes mainly depends on three core factors: load-bearing requirements, usage environment, and cost budget. Common raw materials are divided into two categories: main materials (forming the main body of the box) and auxiliary materials (modified and reinforced additives), as follows:
The selection of raw materials for plastic toolboxes mainly depends on three core factors: load-bearing requirements, usage environment, and cost budget. Common raw materials are divided into two categories: main materials (forming the main body of the box) and auxiliary materials (modified and reinforced additives), as follows:
1、 Core main material: determines the basic performance of the toolbox
1. Polypropylene (PP)
Features: High cost-effectiveness, lightweight texture, good impact resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, and good toughness. It is not easily brittle under low temperature environments and can be injection molded into complex structures.
Applicable scenarios: Household lightweight toolboxes, portable toolboxes for electrical maintenance, and small parts storage boxes are the most common raw materials for toolboxes on the market.
Disadvantages: The high temperature resistance is average, and it is prone to deformation in environments above 80 ℃ for a long time. Its load-bearing capacity is limited and it is not suitable for storing heavy tools.
2. High density polyethylene (HDPE)
Characteristics: Extremely strong toughness, drop resistance, wear resistance, excellent waterproof and moisture-proof performance, acid and alkali resistance, and better low-temperature impact resistance than PP.
Applicable scenarios: Outdoor work toolboxes, heavy-duty toolboxes in auto repair workshops, fishing gear storage boxes, especially suitable for harsh environments with high humidity and frequent collisions.
Disadvantages: Slightly lower rigidity than PP, slightly poorer dimensional accuracy after injection molding, and lower surface glossiness.
3. ABS resin
Characteristics: It combines the advantages of rigidity, toughness, and impact resistance, with good dimensional stability, smooth surface that is easy to apply for appearance treatments such as painting and screen printing, and strong load-bearing capacity.
Applicable scenarios: Industrial grade precision tool storage boxes, instrument protection boxes, hardware toolboxes, suitable for scenarios with high requirements for appearance and structural strength.
Disadvantages: The cost is higher than PP and HDPE, the weather resistance is average, and long-term exposure to sunlight can cause yellowing and aging.
4. Polycarbonate (PC)
Characteristics: High strength, strong impact resistance, high temperature resistance (can withstand short-term high temperatures of 120 ℃), good transparency, strong UV resistance.
Applicable scenarios: Transparent toolbox covers, high-strength protective boxes (such as military and outdoor exploration equipment boxes), tool boxes that require visual storage.
Disadvantages: expensive price, difficult injection molding, pure PC material is brittle, usually needs to be modified by blending with ABS.
5. ABS/PC alloy
Features: It combines the ease of processing of ABS and the high strength and weather resistance of PC, giving consideration to both toughness and rigidity, high dimensional accuracy, and its anti-aging ability is superior to that of pure ABS.
Applicable scenarios: Heavy duty toolboxes, precision instrument transport boxes, and automotive repair toolboxes are excellent materials that balance performance and cost.
2、 Common Accessories: Optimize Performance, Enhance Durability
In order to compensate for the performance shortcomings of a single plastic, specific additives are added during production for modification:
Fiberglass: Adding 5% -30% fiberglass can significantly improve the rigidity, load-bearing capacity, and heat resistance of the material, and is commonly used in the boxes and frames of heavy-duty toolboxes.
Impact modifiers such as EVA, POE, etc. enhance the low-temperature toughness of materials and prevent toolboxes from cracking in cold environments.
UV resistant stabilizer: Adding it can improve the weather resistance of the material and avoid fading and aging of the box during outdoor use.
Flame retardant: used in industrial toolboxes with fire protection requirements to reduce the combustibility of materials.
Fillers, such as talcum powder and calcium carbonate, reduce production costs while enhancing material rigidity and heat resistance to deformation.