Reported June 2008

WHAT IS INJECTION MOLDING? Injection molding is a process used to shape material into a desired form. This process most often uses plastic, but can use other liquid materials, even molten metals. First, a mold-maker creates a mold of the desired shape from a metal. Then the liquid material can be forced into that mold, where it cools and solidifies into the end product. This process is used in manufacturing to create a variety of items.

ABOUT PLASTICS: Plastics are a type of polymer, a chemical substance made up of many very large, chain-shaped molecules. These molecules in turn form thousands of repeating units, much like the links in a chain. Different plastics are made by linking together different monomers into different length chains. Mixing polymers with various additives gives them many useful properties, which is why plastics are used so often in our everyday lives. Thermoplastics soften with heat and harden when cooled, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) and Teflon. They are used in food packaging, milk and water bottles, electrical insulation, carpet fibers and credit cards, among other applications. Thermosetting plastics harden with heat, such as epoxy and polyester. They can be found in mattresses, cushions, varnishes, glues and coatings on electrical circuits.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Kurt Pfitzer
Office of University Relations
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA 18015-3754
(610) 758-3017
Kap4@lehigh.edu