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Injection molding material cost
If you spend $20,000 on a steel mold and then use that mold to create 400,000 parts, the cost per part would end up at 5 cents. There’s more to it than that, however, as the labor and material used will also have an impact on the total investment.
Common injection molding materials
The most commonly used materials for plastic injection molding are:
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
These three materials are used so often because they are affordable and durable. The material used to create a product should be determined by the product itself, and what it will be used for. To read more about different injection molding materials and their features, check out our materials blog here.
How much does an injection mold cost
An injection mold generally costs between $1,000 and $80,000. A number of factors, including size and complexity, impact the final price. At Rex Plastic, the average price for an injection mold is $12,000. To read more about the cost of injection molding, check out our blog.
Injection molding material cost comparison
| Type of Thermoplastic Material | Unique Features | Common Applications | Price per pound |
| ABS | durable, lightweight | electronics, keyboards, phone hardware, LEGO bricks, drainpipe systems, kitchen appliances | $1.30 |
| polyethylene | flexible, impact-resistant, leech resistant, moisture resistant, recyclable | food packaging, milk jugs, toys | $1.20 |
| polypropylene | leech resistant, flexible | Tupperware, kiddie pools, toys, utensils, car batteries | $0.90 |
| polystyrene | warp, shrink and impact resistant | compact disc cases, packaging applications, household appliances | $1.00 |
| nylon / (POM) | heat-resistant, durable | high-ware parts, quick-release buckles, gears, hand cranks | $2.20 |
| polycarbonate | impact resistant, optical clarity, vulnerable to chemicals | automobile headlights, bulletproof glass, eyeglasses, greenhouses, DVDs, mobile phones | $2.30 |
Highest cost material for injection molding
Among the more expensive materials used in plastic injection molding are:
Polycarbonate
Polysulfone
Teflon
Polyurethane
Acetal
PEEK
These materials are generally stronger or have special properties that make them suitable for specialized functions. Additives and other components can make these plastics even more durable but do add to the price.
Lowest cost materials for injection molding.
Materials with the lowest cost, generally polypropylene and polyethylene, are incredibly versatile and are used to make everything from milk jugs to car batteries. These are the materials most people use every day and low material costs help make mass production possible.
Making the right choice
When thinking about what material to use for your plastic injection project, it’s important to remember that the function of the product should determine the material used. Having an understanding of the options available and the prices associated with those materials will help you to make an informed decision.
Hey I was looking for useful information on Plastic Surgery and just came across your blog and found it quite interesting, can’t wait to see your post. You’ve been sharing really insightful posts and I’m an avid reader of your posts. Keep sharing the knowledge and adding value to our lives.
I am looking to mold a cat sculpture for our local Humane Society.
I have the model, formerly done in a 6 piece mold using fiberglass.
I need about 50 cats, they stand 22″ floor to top of head, 30″ to top of tail, 6″ wide sideways and 16″ chest to rear. I also could use many more if the ideas goes to other HS.locations. The fiberglass ones were pure white, solid, but now I am thinking of technocats, clear plastic or solid white, hollow so that artists can utilize some tech including audio.