Today a lot of people have a negative opinion about plastic in general because they perceive it as being bad for the environment. While it is true in some situations, not all plastics are bad. Some are actually recyclable and can have a long lifecycle to make the best use of the resources. HIPS falls into this category. We want to take a closer look at it today to see why it can be such a good choice. Then, if you want to arrange foiling services to add to the material, you can rely on us.
What is it?
One of the great things about plastic is there are so many different types. Sometimes just small differences in the combination of elements can dramatically change the materials. It can ensure the final material has an impressive selection of properties.
HIPS is high impact polystyrene. It is a polymer featuring polystyrene and rubber. The combination gives the plastic its fantastic properties. Notable here is the impressive impact resistance and how tough it is. It can withstand heavy loads and hard impacts without cracking. It also has really good dimensional stability, ensuring it can retain its shape very well.
One thing manufacturers love about HIPS is how easy it is to work with. It has quite a low melting point, meaning you don’t need much heat to make it pliable and able to take different forms. This factor means there are lots of options for manufacturing, including injection moulding and extrusion.
Decorative options
Another really impressive thing about HIPS is how customisable it is. It gives people the chance to be creative. Plus, you can look at foiling services too.
For starters, HIPS comes in a massive array of different colours. This includes dozens of standard shades. There is also the option to choose bespoke colours with small changes to the plastic.
In addition, you can choose various finishes with the plastic. This can even include texture thanks to the ease of moulding.
Yet another thing you can do is add a foil design to the plastic. This is really easy to do with classic stamping techniques. You can be creative here, including using foil for brand names, slogans, graphics, and more.
Uses
There are plenty of impressive applications for HIPS. It is especially popular for packaging because of the impact resistance. With it products are easier to handle and ship. It also has a number of applications for toys. Children can be incredibly rough with them, so it is a good choice to reduce the risk of them breaking.
Some manufacturers also use HIPS for automotive parts. It is a good option for components like instrument panels and trim thanks to the excellent formability. Then you can add foil to make them look like metal parts.
Recycling
Whether you choose unadorned HIPS or opt for foiling services, people can recycle the plastic. That is fantastic for brands that want to produce products without a huge impact on the environment.
There is an important caveat here though. HIPS is not biodegradable. It must go for recycling to ensure there isn’t a negative impact. Therefore businesses that use it should ensure they also notify the customers of what to do to dispose of things like packaging.
Do you want to try foiling services?
If you are thinking of using HIPS and also want to add foil designs to it, we can help. We have plenty of experience here, particularly with applying foils to sheet materials. We’ll find the perfect solution for you, delivering great value in the process.
So, if you want the best foiling services in the UK, speak to us today. We can even offer design advice.