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Not All Plastic Suppliers Are Created Equal

Jul 24, 2013 | Educational Post, Made In The USA, Mentor Nuggets | 0 comments

Quick Answer

Not all plastic suppliers are equal due to significant differences in the quality and origin of materials they provide, with some offering inferior grades that are highly stressed. These lower-quality, high-stress plastics can warp, twist, or crack during heating or cutting, leading to processing issues and material waste for customers. Quality plastic suppliers, like Industrial Plastic Supply which began in 1975, distinguish themselves through expert support, extensive inventory, and product knowledge, ensuring customers receive suitable materials. For instance, Gehr PVC rod is NSF 51 certified, unlike some other brands, highlighting the varying certifications and standards among manufacturers.

Large Inventory of Performance Plastic Sheet and Rod, in stock here in Anaheim, CA

Big Differences Between Plastic Suppliers

While you can purchase a piece of plastic from many different suppliers, there are some significant differences between these suppliers. Some of the main differences are in the manufacturers and the materials that you get supplied. High quality Simona PVC rod machined to finished part

We see a wide range of materials and some drastically inferior grades of materials being sold to clients. Some materials have been produced too quickly or cooled too quickly causing a very high stressed plastic piece. These high stressed materials will warp, twist or crack when they get heated or during cutting. This material on the right is a piece of highly stressed Nylon. While cutting the material, our new customer had to stop the saw due to the severe warping and binding of the saw by this material. This new client brought this 24″ long part, and asked if we would cut it for him. We bought this part from him as an excellent example of a high stress plastic. (We did cut a quality piece of material to solve his problem).

One example of differences between manufacturers, is Gehr PVC rod is NSF 51 certified, while Simona PVC rod is not.

Other things you should consider when choosing a quality plastic supplier:

Quality of Materials

Origin of Materials

Huge in stock inventory of Performance Plastic Rod

Huge In Stock Inventory of Plastic Rod

Expert Support

In Stock Materials

Cutting – Converting Services

Longevity – How Long Have They Been In Business (We started in 1975)

How Does Product Knowledge and Experience Define Quality Plastic Suppliers?

We believe that providing quality products is only part of our duty to you. You have entrusted us to help with your requirements, and we believe we should be good stewards of this trust, all part of being a quality plastic supplier. A plastic sheet supplier should advise you if the material you are looking for is the ‘wrong’ material. Acrylic does not do well at 450 degrees. Styrene does not make a good chemical tank. HDPE and PTFE do not bond. These and many more ‘land mines’ are things we help our clients with everyday. We have an experienced client support team (plastic experts), and we value the opportunity to assist our clients with this experience. Go ahead, ask us a question – that is why we have a “Ask A Plasticologist” page on our website.

Product knowledge and experience define quality plastic suppliers by enabling them to provide expert guidance, prevent material mismatches, and ensure clients receive the most suitable plastics for their needs. We believe that providing quality products is only part of our duty to you. You have entrusted us to help with your requirements, and we believe we should be good stewards of this trust, all part of being a quality plastic supplier. For example, a plastic sheet supplier should advise you if the material you are looking for is the ‘wrong’ material, such as Acrylic not doing well at 450 degrees, Styrene not making a good chemical tank, or HDPE and PTFE not bonding. These and many more ‘land mines’ are things we help our clients with everyday. We have an experienced client support team (plastic experts), and we value the opportunity to assist our clients with this experience. Go ahead, ask us a question – that is why we have a “Ask A Plasticologist” page on our website. If you need help, from what are the properties of Acetal, to temperature range on Ultem, please contact us. We look forward to assisting you and all our clients. Feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns or requests – call us at 866-832-9315 or e-mail us here. Topic: Plastic Suppliers, Plastic Sheet Suppliers

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Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are the risks of using low-quality or highly stressed plastic materials?

Low-quality or highly stressed plastic materials can warp, twist, or crack when heated or during cutting, leading to processing difficulties and material waste. The page gives an example of Nylon that severely warped during cutting, binding the saw.

2 How can a knowledgeable plastic supplier assist in selecting the right material for my application?

A quality plastic supplier should have product knowledge and experience to advise you if a material is unsuitable for your specific application. They can help you avoid common issues, such as using Acrylic at high temperatures or Styrene for chemical tanks.

3 Beyond material quality, what other factors should I consider when choosing a plastic supplier?

You should consider the origin of materials, the supplier's inventory size, their longevity in business, and available cutting or converting services. The page also notes that some manufacturers' materials, like Gehr PVC rod, may carry specific certifications such as NSF 51, while others do not.

4 Do quality plastic suppliers offer material cutting or converting services?

Yes, quality plastic suppliers often provide in-stock material cutting and converting services. This can be a significant factor when choosing a supplier, as it can help solve immediate material needs and ensure proper dimensions for your projects.