All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier
(20508 products available)
Ready to ShipVacuum-forming sheets come in various types, each suited for specific applications and requirements. These sheets are made from different plastics, each offering unique properties in terms of flexibility, durability, and ease of shaping.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
The most common material used for theroforming plastic is PVC. The reason it is so popular is that it is very adaptable, easy to handle, and inexpensive. The material is easy to shape at low temperatures, which makes it great for making molds. It holds up well to impact and is resistant to chemicals, which makes it ideal for use in industries like retail, construction, and the planning of the medical field.
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
Because of its great moldability, HIPS is another widely-used thermoplastic. When a vacuum is applied, it becomes rigid but can be made flexible by adding additives to the polymer. It can be used for signage, packaging, and making household items because it is simple to cut and glue.
Polycarbonate (PC)
PC is a strong plastic known for its clarity and resilience. Even though it is more expensive than other plastics, it is ideal for finished products that need transparency and excellent impact resistance, like security and eyewear screens. HIPS sheets are useful for vacuum forming but not as strong as polycarbonate. HIPS can, however, be reinforced with different materials to increase their strength and resistance to high temperatures.
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG)
For vacuum forming, PETG is an excellent choice because of its ease of processing and environmental resistance. Unlike many other plastics, it remains clear and does not get hazy over time. Because it is simple to recycle, this material is great for the packaging and electronic product shielding industries.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
ABS is preferred in many industries because of its strength, toughness, and glossy finish. In the automotive, electronics, and appliance industries, it is commonly used because it can easily be painted and has a variety of finishes.
As a result of the properties of the materials they are made from and the technology used in their production, vacuumforming sheets possess unique characteristics.
Uniform Thickness
In order to form consistently and predictably, vacuum-forming sheets need to have uniform thickness over the entire surface. This prevents weak areas in the mold and guarantees the final product has even strength and looks good.
Clarity and Surface Finish
Packaging and product displays rely heavily on the clarity of vacuumforming sheets like PETG and polycarbonate. The aesthetic value of a mold is determined by its surface finish, which may be glossy, matte, or textured. This is important for customers to see products in.
Adhesion to Substrates
In the case of thermoplastics, adhesion is crucial when the sheets are laminated with other materials. For paints and other surface treatments to be effective, the plastic's surface must be able to bond well to them. This is important for product design and making things look better in the end.
Thermal Stability
In order to mold properly, vacuumforming sheets must maintain their temperature during heating. When exposed to heat, materials that aren't thermally stable can lose shape or become too soft. Automotive parts, for instance, employ materials that can withstand high temperatures.
Impact Resistance
Many molded products need to be strong and withstand repeated handling, especially in shipping or machinery use. Depending on the material, vacuum forming plastic sheets can have varying degrees of toughness. For instance, polycarbonate is extremely strong, while ABS provides a balance of rigidity and flexibility.
Chemical Resistance
To make sure the molded product lasts a long time, the glue, cleaner, and other product chemicals must not harm the sheet material. PVC has a high level of chemical resistance, which is why it is commonly used in medical and industrial applications.
The ability to shape and reshape these sheets into complex molds makes them widely used in various industries.
Packaging Industry
Food, electronics, and consumer goods all rely heavily on vacuumforming sheets for packaging. Makers can cost-effectively provide protective packaging solutions like clamshells, trays, and blister packs. This style of packaging keeps products safe while still being easy for people to see through and open.
Automotive Applications
The automotive industry uses vacuumforming sheets to make a lot of interior and exterior parts. Door panels, dashboards, and exterior trim pieces are formed from ABS and polycarbonate sheets to make them lightweight but still strong. This helps make cars use less gas while also giving them smooth, sculpted shapes.
Display and Signage
Retail, trade shows, and advertising use vacuum-formed plastic displays and signs. Flexible PVC and HIPS sheets can easily be molded into complex forms for unique product displays. Because they are also strong and weatherproof, outdoor and window displays are great for them too.
Consumer Products
Many everyday items around the home are made with vacuumforming sheets. For example, molded cases, covers, and bodies of appliances, electronics, and tools are frequently made from it. Thermoforming plastic sheets for countertops are also used in this industry.
Medical and Healthcare
The medical field depends on vacuumforming sheets for applications like making device housings, trays for instruments, and molded aids. Materials like PVC are simple to sanitize and sterilize, making them great for medical packaging and supplies.
Building and Construction
In the construction industry, vacuum-forming sheets create interior faux finishes like wainscoting and decorative moldings. Lightweight, easy-to-install, and durable materials like high-impact polystyrene are used for ceiling, wall, and insulation panels.
Various sheets are offered by suppliers, and buyers can choose specific ones according to their business needs. Buyers should consider the following when choosing vacuum-forming sheets.
Material type
Buyers should choose vacuum-forming sheets based on the needs of their projects. For instance, ABS sheets are easy to shape, while PS sheets are cost-effective. Moreover, polycarbonate sheets are strong, and PVC sheets are suitable for indoor applications.
Thickness
Buyers should also consider the thickness of the sheets they purchase. Normally, thinner sheets are easier to shape and handle. On the other hand, thicker sheets offer strength and durability, as well as high impact resistance.
Finish
Buyers should select vacuum-forming sheets with various finishes that will work for different customers. For example, glossy sheets are suitable for modern applications, while matte sheets give a more subdued look. Also, textured sheets can help improve grip and decorative appeal.
Supplier's capacity
Buyers should consider the supplier's ability to offer various thermoforming sheets and materials. They should also get vacuum-forming sheets from a supplier who has the capacity to provide consistent bulk orders. More importantly, buyers should settle for suppliers who can customize the sheets to meet specific client needs.
Reliability and reviews
Buyers should consider the reputation of the suppliers they purchase from. They should get sheets from reliable suppliers with positive reviews from previous customers. They should also purchase them from sellers who are ready to negotiate prices.
The normal thickness range for these sheets is between 0.5 mm and 6 mm. This range allows these sheets to be adaptable to a variety of applications while maintaining structural integrity in the molded form.
Some of the sheets can be treated or formulated to be resistant to UV radiation, which helps protect outdoor fixtures from degradation. UV-resistant polycarbonate and acrylic are frequently used for outdoor applications.
Buyers should store their sheets in a dry, cool area. They should also avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Buyers should also keep the sheets in a flat position in order to avoid warping.
Some of the sheets that buyers can get are made of recyclable materials. For example, PETG is often chosen for projects because it is easily recycled. Moreover, to minimize its impact, manufacturers also developed ways of reusing plastics.
