When looking at the different types of thermoforming plastic sheets, you will see that there are many different brands and makers, and that there are different types of sheet and thickness as well. In general, there are two different basic types of sheet used in this process – the thin gauge sheet and the heavy gauge sheet, and each has their purpose. When you are choosing the sheets that you need for your thermoforming project, make sure that you know which type of sheets are the best option for you. The following distinctions should help to make choosing the right one easier for you.
The Thin Gauge Sheets
If the thickness of the sheet is less than 1.5 mm, the sheets most often come from rolls of plastic. The plastic goes through a roller system that determines the thickness of the gauge. The biggest uses for the thin gauge plastic sheets come from those who are looking for disposable packaging for their products.
The sheets can go through many different types of thermoforming processes, such as vacuum forming, to create the packaging. Depending on the thickness of the gauge used, it’s possible to create either rigid or semi-rigid packaging. The thicker the gauge, the more rigidity the package or product is going to have.
The Heavy Gauge Sheets
The heavy gauge sheets are sheets of thermoforming plastic that have a thickness that is greater than 3 mm. Some sheets can go up to 500 mm! In most cases, the sheets are cut to size before going through the thermoforming process. Those who are using the thicker sheets are often creating items that are permanent rather than disposable packaging. You can find these thick gauge plastic sheets in a variety of different places such as in shower enclosures, electronic equipments, automobiles, and even medical equipment.
With the heavier gauge thermoforming plastic sheets, it is often necessary for some hand working after the product comes out of the mold. You may have to trim the product, drill holes, cut, or add a finish to the product. Unlike the disposable plastic, these are permanent (or at least semi-permanent) so it is important that they look their best.
Other Thicknesses
There are certain industries that may need to have plastic sheets that are of a different thickness. Some companies may want sheets polythene sheeting that are between the 1.5 mm and the 3 mm range, and it is possible to find those sheets. No matter what gauge you need and no matter what type of product you are creating, you should be able to find the thermoforming sheet that is the perfect size for your product.
Different Sizes but the Process Remains the Same
Whether you are using the thick sheets or the thin gauge sheets, you will find that the process for creating the plastic products is the same. The sheets go over the mold, heated, and then formed into the mold. They then go through a cooling process. For the larger and thicker sheets, vacuum forming is the most