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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-12 Origin: Site
| Contents of Table |
1.Introduction |
| 2.5 Best Plastics for Outdoor Use in injection molding |
| 3.How to Choose the Best Plastic for Out Door Applications |
| 4.Conclusion |
Introduction
Choosing the right plastic for outdoor injection molding can be challenging. Outdoor applications require materials that can withstand sunlight, temperature fluctuations, moisture, and long-term wear without losing performance. Engineers and product designers often face questions such as: Which injection molding plastics resist UV damage? Which materials are both durable and cost-effective?
In this article, we’ll explore the 5 best plastics for outdoor use in injection molding — Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), and Acrylic (PMMA). For each material, we’ll cover:
Key properties that make it suitable for outdoor environments
Typical applications in outdoor products
Recommended brands
We’ll also share practical tips on how to select the right material for your specific project. Whether you are designing outdoor furniture, automotive components, or construction parts, this article will help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
Polycarbonate (PC) is known as one of the best plastics for outdoor use when transparency, toughness, and UV resistance are critical.
Key Features
Excellent impact resistance, even at low temperatures
High transparency and optical clarity
Good weatherability with UV-stabilized grades.
Applications
Roofing sheets, skylights, safety glazing
Protective covers, machine guards, and sports equipment
Outdoor lighting housings and LED covers
Electrical enclosures for outdoor use
Automotive headlamps and exterior trim
Brand | Key Features & Application Differences |
SABIC Lexan (Saudi Arabia) | High impact resistance, ideal for safety shields |
Covestro Makrolon (Germany) | High optical clarity, commonly used in light covers |
Mitsubishi Trirex (Japan) | Balanced mechanical properties, suitable for automotive parts |
Teijin Panlite (Japan) | High transparency, used in optical-grade outdoor components |
Kingfa PC (China) | Cost-effective, suitable for general outdoor products |
Polycarbonate (PC) is known as one of the best plastics for outdoor use when transparency, toughness, and UV resistance are critical.
Key Features
Excellent impact resistance, even at low temperatures
High transparency and optical clarity
Good weatherability with UV-stabilized grades
Applications
Roofing sheets, skylights, safety glazing
Protective covers, machine guards, and sports equipment
Outdoor lighting housings and LED covers
Electrical enclosures for outdoor use
Automotive headlamps and exterior trim
Brand | Key Features & Application Differences |
SABIC Lexan (Saudi Arabia) | High impact resistance, ideal for safety shields |
Covestro Makrolon (Germany) | High optical clarity, commonly used in light covers |
Mitsubishi Trirex (Japan) | Balanced mechanical properties, suitable for automotive parts |
Teijin Panlite (Japan) | High transparency, used in optical-grade outdoor components |
Kingfa PC (China) | Cost-effective, suitable for general outdoor products |
Key Features
Exceptional UV stability and weather resistance
Retains color and gloss in outdoor conditions
Good toughness and processability
Applications
Automotive exterior components (mirror housings, grilles, roof racks)
Garden tools, housings for lawn equipment
Outdoor furniture and consumer appliances
Electrical enclosures and telecom boxes
Sports and leisure products exposed to sun
Brand | Key Features & Application Differences |
Dow HDPE (USA) | Good toughness, commonly used in outdoor water tanks |
LyondellBasell PE (Netherlands) | High stability, suitable for pipes and containers |
SABIC PE (Saudi Arabia) | Multiple grades, widely used in packaging |
Sinopec PE (China) | Cost advantage, commonly used for trash bins |
PetroChina HDPE (China) | Large local supply, suitable for infrastructure applications |
Polypropylene (PP) is another versatile outdoor plastic for injection molding, known for its light weight, impact resistance, and UV stability when compounded with stabilizers.
Key Features
Lightweight, excellent chemical resistance
High fatigue strength (hinges, snap-fits)
With UV stabilizers, suitable for outdoor exposure
Applications
Outdoor chairs, tables, and garden furniture
Storage bins, containers, and outdoor appliances
Automotive trims, bumpers, and battery casings
Agricultural equipment and water tanks
Playground equipment and sports gear
Brand | Key Features & Application Differences |
Borealis PP (Austria) | Good stiffness, ideal for automotive components |
LyondellBasell Moplen (Netherlands) | Industrial-grade, commonly used in household items |
SABIC PP (Saudi Arabia) | High chemical resistance, suitable for chemical containers |
Kingfa PP (China) | Cost-effective, ideal for mass-market outdoor products |
Sinopec PP (China) | Large supply, used in outdoor consumer goods |
ABS is widely used in outdoor injection molding where strength, toughness, and design flexibility are important.
Key Properties of ABS for Outdoor Use
High impact resistance
Good dimensional stability
Easily painted or plated for decorative outdoor parts
UV stability can be enhanced with additives
Typical Outdoor Applications of ABS
Outdoor power tool housings
Automotive exterior trims
Motorcycle fairings
Garden equipment housings
Consumer electronics for outdoor use
Brand | Key Features & Application Differences |
INEOS Styrolution Luran S (Germany) | Industry benchmark, suitable for automotive exterior parts |
SABIC ASA (Saudi Arabia) | Balanced weather resistance, commonly used in electrical housings |
LG Chem ASA (Korea) | Automotive-grade stability, ideal for exterior components |
Chi Mei ASA (Taiwan) | Moderate cost, suitable for garden equipment |
Sinopec ASA (China) | Local supply, often used in construction materials and outdoor furniture |
Choosing the right plastic for outdoor injection molding can make or break your product’s performance. To help you make practical decisions, we’ve broken it down into actionable steps that align with real-world applications.
Different outdoor environments can challenge plastics in unique ways. Start by asking:
UV Exposure: Will the part face direct sunlight for long periods?
Temperature Range: Will it be exposed to freezing winters or hot summers?
Moisture & Chemicals: Will it contact water, fertilizers, or cleaning chemicals?
Mechanical Stress: Will it need impact resistance, load-bearing, or flexibility?
Decision Tip:
Parts exposed to strong UV and temperature swings need UV-stabilized plastics like Polycarbonate (PC), ASA, or PMMA, while parts mainly requiring chemical resistance may be fine with PE or PP.
Match the material properties with what your product actually needs:
Application Type | Critical Property | Recommended Plastic |
Transparent outdoor cover | Impact & UV resistance | Polycarbonate (PC) |
Outdoor furniture or decorative | Color stability & weatherability | ASA or UV-stabilized PP |
Water tanks or chemical containers | Chemical resistance & durability | PE |
Lightweight outdoor consumer items | Cost-effective & flexible | PP |
Automotive exterior parts | Toughness & design flexibility | ABS, ASA |
Decision Tip:
Always prioritize the most critical property first. For example, if your part must remain crystal clear under the sun, PC is preferred over PMMA for impact strength, even if PMMA has excellent UV resistance.
Selecting the right resin grade can be as important as choosing the base polymer:
UV Stabilizers: Prevent color fading and material degradation.
Impact Modifiers: Increase toughness, especially for brittle plastics.
Reinforced Grades (Glass/Carbon Fiber): Improve strength and dimensional stability.
Flame Retardants: Needed for electrical housings and safety requirements.
Decision Tip:
Always check if the manufacturer offers outdoor or UV-stabilized grades. This can extend product life from 2–3 years to 10+ years in harsh environments.
Step 4: Balance Cost and Longevity
Not every project needs the highest-performing plastic:
High Performance: PC and ASA provide excellent durability and UV stability but cost more.
Cost-Effective: PP and PE are affordable for large-volume outdoor furniture or containers, especially with stabilizers.
Decision Tip:
Consider expected product lifespan and environmental exposure before selecting expensive materials. Sometimes a slightly lower-cost plastic with UV additives is sufficient.
Quick Guide:
Identify environmental stresses → UV, temperature, chemicals, mechanical loads.
Determine functional requirement → transparency, color stability, toughness, cost.
Select base plastic → PC, PMMA, ASA, PE, or PP.
Choose grade & additives → UV stabilizers, reinforced, flame retardant.
Check trusted supplier → global brand or local China supplier.
Verify cost vs. expected lifespan → balance durability with budget.
By following this practical workflow, you can confidently select the best plastic for your outdoor injection molding project.
Outdoor injection molding projects demand materials that balance strength, UV resistance, and long-term durability. While Polycarbonate, Acrylic, ASA, Polypropylene, and Rigid PVC are among the best plastics for outdoor use, the right choice depends on your specific application, budget, and performance requirements.
At Alpinemold, we specialize in helping engineers and product developers select the most suitable injection molding materials for outdoor applications. With over 20 years of mold-making and injection molding experience, our team can guide you through material selection, tooling design, and production to ensure your products perform reliably in any environment.
Need expert advice on your outdoor plastic parts? Contact us today for a consultation and free material recommendation.
