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.
Energy usage indicator in mold design
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.
The following shows the indicators and their values.
Least energy required for the production of a part
Most energy required for the production of a part.
Not Available. - 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.
PET, PETE - Polyethylene Terephthalate
HDPE - High Density Polyethylene
PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride
LDPE - Low Density Polyethylene
PP - Polypropylene
PS - Polystyrene
Other - Includes any resin not listed. This category also includes all materials that are blends or contain fillers.
Undetermined - For example, legacy data.