Environmental impact

You can consider the environmental aspects of the materials you use.

Materials are typically selected on criteria such as strength and functionality of the finished part. Once these primary considerations are met, environmental factors can help finalize material selection.

Note: The classifications used are for the base polymer. Review the effect of fillers and additives separately.

Energy usage indicator

The Energy usage indicator is a relative assessment of the energy requirements of the molding phase of a part, based on the material selected.

The Energy usage indicator is a relative value derived from the injection pressure and cooling time predictions for a suite of typical geometries and thicknesses. An optimization calculation determines the material recommended conditions and processing inputs to use.

These results were standardized and an Energy usage indicator value was applied.

It is expected, that over time, as more environmentally efficient polymers are developed, existing polymer Energy usage indicator ratings will change.

Energy usage indicator	Value
	Least energy required for the production of a part
	Most energy required for the production of a part
	Not Available

Note: If the Energy usage indicator is not available, there are two reasons.

• Legacy material data from a personal database or a previous study does not include environmental information. Reload the material from the current database to view these parameters.
• The calculations for few materials cannot return an injection pressure or cooling time for all the geometries tested.

Resin Identification code

This code identifies the resin family to which the material belongs.

Note: Any materials that are a blend or contain fillers are included in the Other category.

Icon	Plastic family
	Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE)
	High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
	Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
	Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
	Polypropylene (PP)
	Polystyrene (PS)
	Other. Includes any resin not listed. This category also includes all materials that are blends or contain fillers.
	Undetermined (for example, legacy data)