How to choose the types of plastic fasteners? In which industries can it be applied? These questions might be asked by the manufacturer who has the demand for plastic fasteners.
This article will introduces the types of plastic fasteners, their advantages, suitable industries, and etc. To help the relevant manufacturers have more comprehensive understanding when placing orders for plastic fasteners.
What are the materials used for Plastic Fastener?
As the name suggests, Plastic Fasteners are made of plastic. However, plastic can be further subdivided into at least 15 different materials.
Let’s explore the differences between these materials and their maximum heat resistance temperatures:
TPI Self-lubricating (-269℃ to 280℃)
TPI Self-lubricating exhibits exceptional heat-resistance, wear-resistance, and low-friction properties, making it suitable for use in high-temperature, high-pressure, and high-speed environments.
Additionally, TPI Self-lubricating offers excellent chemical resistance, dimensional stability, and low conductivity, making it ideal for applications under extreme conditions.
PEEK+GF (260°C)
PEEK+GF is a high-performance engineering plastic with glass fibers added to PEEK. It can enhance the rigidity and temperature resistance, to maintain its stability in the heat environment up to 260°C.
In addition, it exhibits an excellent chemical resistance and flame retardancy (achieving V-0 level), making it ideal for applications that requires high temperature, chemical resistant, and flame retardant.
PFA (-200~260°C)
PFA offers an outstanding low and high temperature resistance, along with excellent chemical and weatherability and mechanical strength, which makes it perform well in harsh environments.
It is widely used in pharmaceutical and semiconductor wet process equipment to handle strict working conditions and chemical exposure.
PTFE (-190~260°C)
PTFE is a type of fluoropolymer with exceptional tolerability to most chemicals and solvents.
Due to its superior electrical properties, non-stick characteristics, and lubrication, it is widely applicable in high temperature environments and in the chemical, electrical, mechanical, and aerospace industries.
PCTFE (-200~200°C)
PCTFE offers excellent tolerance to cold, heat, and chemicals, with low gas permeability and good weatherability. It is commonly used in semiconductor process equipment parts.
PEEK (240°C)
PEEK has an outstanding toughness, rigidity, and creep resistance, as well as good tolerance towards light and various radiation.
It is suitable in a high temperature and chemical solvent environments, commonly used in semiconductor equipment, aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, providing reliable performance and long term durability.
PPS+GF (240°C)
PPS+GF with added glass fibers, enhances the material’s strength and thermal resistance, allowing it to endure in high temperatures without degrading.
It features excellent corrosion resistance and high mechanical performance, with excellent electrical performance and dimensional stability, making it suitable for electronic and electrical components, automotive parts, and others that need high performance and stability applications.
PPS (200°C)
PPS has excellent high temperature and corrosion resistance, with high mechanical strength, good electrical properties, and superior dimensional stability.
It can be used in electronic and electrical components and automotive parts, meeting high performance and stability requirements.
PVDF (150°C)
PVDF exhibits excellent chemical resistance, electrical insulation, weatherability, high temperature resistance, and anti-wear lubrication, making it suitable for use in various acidic and alkaline solvent environments, such as semiconductor processing and wet processing.
PPGF (120°C)
PPGF is a modified material made by adding glass fibers to PP, which enhances the material’s strength and rigidity.
It also features chemical resistance, high purity, low water absorption, and electrical insulation performance, which are able to maintain stability at higher temperatures, making it ideal for applications requiring chemical resistance and mechanical strength.
RENY (105°C)
RENY is a modified nylon engineering plastic, enhancing its performance by adding glass fibers.
It has excellent oil and heat resistance, making it suitable for application in a demanding environments, such as automotive components, machinery and precision machine parts, electrical and electronic equipment, civil engineering, and construction materials.
POM (-40~100°C)
POM is known for its excellent rigidity and wear resistance, offering superior mechanical strength and dimensional stability.
It also performs well in terms of lubrication and chemical resistance, making it especially suitable for applications requiring high precision and durability.
PP (90°C)
PP has excellent tensile strength and chemical resistance, offering good resistance to hydrolysis and various chemical solvents.
It also has good electrical properties, making it widely used in pharmaceutical equipment and applications requiring a chemically resistant environment.
NYLON (70°C)
NYLON features excellent heat resistance, strength, and hardness.
Its wear resistance and low friction coefficient make it perform well in a wide range of mechanical applications, such as in the food industry, electronic equipment, aerospace, and automotive industries.
PVC (60°C)
PVC has acid and alkali resistance, electrical insulation, mechanical strength, and weatherability, making it suitable for various mechanical parts that will expose to chemical solvents, such as construction materials, packaging, and medical equipment.
What types of plastic fasteners are there on the market?
After introducing the materials of plastic fasteners, the next step is to explore their different types. Each type of plastic fastener has its specific application scenarios.
This article compiles 8 common types of plastic fasteners available on the market:
Plastic Clips
Due to its convenience and flexibility, plastic clips can be easily removed and reused.
They are often used for non-permanent fastening of multiple components, making them ideal for applications requiring frequent disassembly, reassembly, adjustments, or maintenance.
Plastic Screws
Plastic Screws, a fastener that fixed multiple components by inserting it into the holes and tightened with a screwdriver.
They are available in various sizes and styles, such as Phillips head and Flathead, and also offers the lightweight characteristic and corrosion resistant advantages of plastic materials.
Plastic Rivets
Plastic rivets are fasteners that permanently fixed together two or more components.
During installation, the rivet is inserted into the hole in the components and then expanded to securely hold all parts together.
They are used in situations requiring a permanent fixation, such as in aerospace or automotive applications.
Plastic Nuts and Bolts
Plastic nuts and bolts is fixing two or more components together.
It is made out of materials like nylon and polypropylene, and they come in various sizes and styles, suitable for applications requiring a secure fixation, with good corrosion resistance and lightweight characteristics.
Plastic Gaskets
Plastic gaskets distribute the load of a fastener over a larger area to reduce stress on the fastened components.
They are typically applied together with nuts and bolts to ensure stability and safety of the fixation.
Plastic Pins
Plastic pins are fasteners used for non-permanently fixing two or more components. It is done by inserting it into the holes in the components and held in place by friction or additional fastening devices.
They are highly useful in applications where frequent disassembly and reassembly are required.
Plastic Cable Ties
Plastic cable ties are used to securely and neatly fasten cables, wires, and other items.
It is available in various sizes and colors, and can easily be adjusted or removed as needed, making them suitable for organizing and securing various objects.
Plastic Snap Fits
Plastic snap fits automatically lock two or more components when pressed together.
They are very common in injection-molded parts, such as mobile phone cases and battery covers, providing a reliable and sturdy fixation.
What are the advantages of using Plastic Fastener?
Fasteners come in a variety of materials, such as steel, aluminum alloys, copper, and titanium alloys. But why choose plastic fasteners? Compared to metal fasteners, plastic fasteners offer 9 key benefits:
Able to reduce the overall weight of the final product, lowers transportation costs, and enhances ease of handling.
It is especially important in fields where weight control is critical, such as the aerospace and automotive industries. Not only can reduce the component’s weight but also improves energy efficiency.
The raw materials and processing techniques for plastic are relatively cheap, which results in unit costs reduction for mass production.
Also, as previously mentioned, the lightweight characteristic further saves on transportation and storage costs, making plastic fasteners an economical choice, particularly in applications requiring large quantities of fasteners.
Plastic fasteners effectively resist corrosion from a wide range of chemicals, such as acids, alkalis, solvents, and oils.
They maintain stable performance in harsh environments, making them suitable for industries that require exposure to chemicals.
Since plastic materials does not react easily with moisture, salts, and most chemicals, it allows them to perform well in humid or corrosive environments.
Since plastic materials are easy to mold and process, it can be designed according to different design demand, such as various shapes, colors, texture, and sizes to meet different application needs.
Plastic fasteners have good cushioning and shock absorption properties, effectively reducing noise and vibration at fixation points.
They are suitable for applications requiring noise reduction and enhancing comfort, such as in electronic devices, appliances, and mechanical equipment.
Plastic fasteners can effectively insulate electrical currents, preventing short circuits or electrical leakage, making them ideal for use in electronic devices and electrical installations, ensuring the safe operation of equipment and reducing maintenance and repair costs due to electrical failures.
Since plastic materials are non-magnetic, it will not affect or interfere with surrounding magnetic fields.
This is crucial in fields requiring precision operations and data processing, such as electronics and medical equipment.
Since plastic fasteners is softer than metal, it will not excessively wear down or damage tools.
The lower friction can help enhance efficiency in installation and removal, making the operation process smoother and easier.
What are the disadvantages of using Plastic Fasteners?
Plastic fasteners may seem ideal and useful in many situations, but it does still have certain drawbacks when compared to metal fasteners. Here are the 6 common issues:
Easily Deformed
Since plastic is relatively softer than other materials.When exposed to external forces, heat, or pressure, plastic fasteners may deform or lose their original shape, negatively affecting the fit and stability of the fixation.
Shrinkage During Cooling
Since plastic materials tend to shrink during the cooling process, if the designers do not account for this, it may result in reduced dimensions of the fastener, therefore affecting its fitting accuracy and fastening performance.
Low Strength
Plastic fasteners may not provide sufficient support in high load or high pressure applications, for example in situations requiring heavy duty load bearing or high tensile strength, plastic fasteners may deform or break over time, compromising the overall stability and reliability of the fixation.
Not as Chemical Resistant as Metal
While some plastics possess certain levels of chemical resistance, but it is still generally weaker against strong acids, bases, and other chemicals compared to metal materials. This can lead to corrosion, degradation, or loss of performance.
Recycling Problem
Since plastic materials come in various types, and each with different recycling requirements and processing methods. This diversity makes the recycling process complex and costly.
Additionally, certain plastics are difficult to break down and reuse, leading to significant waste management issues.
Low Heat Resistance
Plastic fasteners may soften, deform, or lose strength at high temperatures, leading to structural failure or reduced lifespan.
This limits their use in high temperature environments such as engines, heating equipment, or in other high temperature environment.
Even though plastic fasteners do has some disadvantages, but with the advancements of technology, more plastic materials are emerging.
As long as the right materials are chosen, most of these problems will effectively be solved.
What are the Practical Applications of Plastic Fasteners?
Previously, we have introduced plastic fasteners used across various industries. Besides the industries mentioned above, there are also other industries that widely uses plastic fasteners.
Below are the 7 industries listed as reference for the readers:
Electronics Industry
- Circuit Board Mounting: Plastic screws, clips, and gaskets are often used to secure fixation and isolate printed circuit boards (PCB), effectively preventing short circuits.
- Insulation Applications: Since plastic has an excellent electrical insulation properties, it is commonly used as insulation fasteners in electronic devices, such as cable clamps and terminals.
- Semiconductors: Plastic fasteners are used to secure fixation of semiconductor packages, wafer holders, and test fixtures, preventing electrical short circuits and ensuring the stable operation of semiconductor components.
Automotive Industry
- Interior Decoration Item: Plastic fasteners are widely used to secure fixation of interior panels, seats, and door panels, helping to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency.
- Under-The-Hood Components: Plastic fasteners are used to secure fixation of lightweight components under the hood, such as wire harnesses and hose holders, offering advantages like corrosion resistance and non-conductivity.
Medical Equipment
- Disposable Products: Many medical devices, such as syringes and test tube racks, use plastic fasteners, which are often disposable and meet hygiene standards.
- Electronic Medical Devices: Plastic fasteners are suitable for securing electronic components in medical devices due to their electrical insulation and chemical resistance.
Aerospace Equipment
- Lightweight Components: In some non-structural lightweight applications, plastic fasteners are used to secure fixation of internal panels and electronic equipment, helping to reduce the overall weight of the aircraft.
Household Appliances
- Housing Fastening: Plastic screws and clips are used to secure fixation of the housings of appliances like washing machines, microwaves, and televisions, preventing internal short circuits and reduce weight.
- Internal Part Fastening: Plastic fasteners are used to secure fixation of internal components like motors and circuit boards, enhancing cost efficiency in production.
Outdoor Equipment
- Gardening Tools and Equipment: Plastic screws and rivets are used to assemble and secure fixation of lightweight gardening tools or equipment, offering corrosion resistance, which suitable for outdoor environments.
- Outdoor Furniture: Plastic fasteners are used to assemble and secure fixation of outdoor furniture, providing UV and weather resistance.
Construction and Decoration
- Construction Panel Fastening: Plastic rivets and screws are used to secure fixation of lightweight building panels and partitions, offering corrosion resistance, which are suitable for use in humid environments.
- Furniture Assembly: Plastic fasteners are used to assemble and secure fixation of furniture, especially DIY furniture, which are known for its simplicity and ease of use.
What should be considered when customizing plastic fasteners?
If plastic fasteners meet the needs of your industry or you believe it can be applied to your products, what are the key factors to consider when customizing them with a supplier to ensure optimal use?
Here are the 3 critical aspects to keep in mind that might be helpful in the customization process:
Material Selection
Different types of plastic materials have its own unique characteristics, such as strength, flexibility, heat resistance, and chemical resistance, which directly affects the performance and application range of the fasteners.
For example, high strength plastics are suitable for applications requiring heavy load bearing, while heat resistant plastics are ideal for high temperature environments.
Design Capabilities
Since the strength of plastic is generally lower than metal, if you plan to completely replace metal components with plastic, you may need to adjust the design to ensure it meets strength and other performance requirements.
This could involve various design improvements, such as increasing wall thickness, incorporating support ribs and gussets, and optimizing the design of rounded corners and sharp edges.
Part Molding Plasticity
When customizing plastic fasteners, the injection molding manufacturer needs to carefully consider the flow path and entry points of the material to ensure even filling of the mold, preventing uneven material flow or premature freezing, which could lead to incomplete cavity filling.
This may result in drawbacks during the manufacturing process, such as additional demolding time required for thin-walled designs, which could impact the scrap rate and production costs.
How to choose the types of Plastic Fastener?｜FAQ
Supplier for any plastic fastener demander
If you have any uncertainties regarding material selection, design, or manufacturing capabilities for plastic fasteners, or if you are unsure which supplier is the most reliable, please do consider consulting to Hsin Hung Yih Technology, or Hsin Hung Yih Plastic, which offers a comprehensive range of professional plastic services, including product design, mold development, injection molding, assembly, and packaging. Able to fully meet your needs with the All-In-One Service!