CMF (Colour, Material, Process) is essential to the development of the industry.
Plastic is one of the main raw materials used in the production of small household appliances, and due to the significant increase in the price of raw materials, manufacturers of small household appliances are under enormous pressure. Therefore, the rational use of plastic materials to reduce the cost of small appliances and ensure product quality is one of the most important ways to gain market share.
1, Classification of small home appliances
Small home appliances mainly include microwave ovens, rice cookers, irons, electric heaters, hoovers, electric fans, hairdryers, water dispensers, induction cookers, electric fondue pots, electric kettles, air humidifiers, electric shavers, soy milk makers, juicers, coffee makers, etc.
Future trends in small appliances.
Low noise
Energy-saving and environmental protection
Nutrition and health
Intelligent IoT
Convenience and ease of use
Humanised and stylish industrial design
2, The current situation of the application of plastic materials in small home appliances
(1) Main materials used for exterior parts
▶ ABS: high gloss, easy to paint, but not high-temperature resistance
▶ PP: low cost, good fluidity, but poor dimensional stability
▶ PC: high strength, high-temperature resistance, good transparency, but easily cracked.
▶ PC/ABS alloy: excellent overall performance, but high price.
(2) Main materials used for decorative parts
▶ Transparent materials: transparent ABS, PMMA, PC, etc.
▶ Plating materials: Plating grade ABS
▶ Film materials: PET film, PC film
(3) Core requirements for 3C key parts
▶ Main materials used: Flame retardant PBT, flame retardant PP, flame retardant PPO
(4) Core requirements for other key structural parts
▶ Main materials used: POM, glass fibre reinforced nylon, PPS, PPA, PEI
Selection of plastic materials for common small appliances
(1) Microwave ovens
The plastic parts on microwave ovens are mainly external parts, such as shells, bases, handles, knobs, etc., which require heat resistance.
The selected plastic varieties are PBT/PET+GF, PBT+GF, PC/ABS, heat-resistant ABS, HIPS, heat-resistant PP, PP.
(2) Rice cooker
The plastic parts on the rice cooker are mainly external parts, such as shell, base, cover, handle, switch, etc., which require heat resistance. The plastic varieties chosen are ABS, high gloss PP, PP.
(3) Electric iron / hanging iron
The performance requirements of plastic materials used for parts are mainly heat resistance, followed by impact strength and appearance.
ABS, high gloss PP are available for the housing, handle and sink base.
Parts close to the heating zone require high heat resistance, available in PC, PA+GF, PBT/PET+GF, PBT+GF, heat resistant ABS.
Bases with higher heat resistance requirements, available PBT/PET+GF, PET+GF instead of metal parts.
(4) Electric heaters
The plastic materials used on electric heaters require heat resistance, especially for the outlet grilles.
The plastic varieties chosen are PBT/PET+GF, PET+GF, PC, PC/ABS, heat-resistant ABS, heat-resistant PP
(5) Vacuum cleaners
Plastic materials for hoover components require anti-static to avoid dust absorption, in addition to good electrical properties, good rigidity, impact resistance, scratch resistance, good colourability and gloss, especially for the housing.
The plastics used are ABS, HIPS and high gloss PP, of which transparent parts are available in PC, AS and GPPS.
(6) Electric fans
The plastic parts used in electric fans are mainly wind blades, blade covers, shell covers, knobs, etc. The plastic varieties used are ABS, HIPS, high gloss PP.
The plastic varieties used are ABS, HIPS, high gloss PP, PP+GF, AS+GF.
(7) Electric hairdryer
The plastic varieties chosen are PBT/PET+GF, PET+GF, PC, heat-resistant ABS, heat-resistant PP.
(8) Drinking fountains
The plastic parts on the water dispenser require good rigidity, high gloss and impact resistance.
The plastic varieties chosen are ABS, HIPS, high rigidity PP.
(9) Magnetic stoves and electric hot pots
The plastic varieties used are heat resistant ABS, high gloss heat resistant PP.
(10) Electric kettles
PC/ABS, heat-resistant ABS, high-gloss heat-resistant PP.
(11) Air humidifier
The plastic used is: transparent part (PC, GPPS), opaque part (ABS, high gloss PP)
(12) Juicer, wall breaker, soya milk machine
The plastic varieties selected are: transparent part (PC, ABS, GPPS), opaque part (ABS, high gloss PP, PBT)
(13) Coffee machines
The plastic varieties used are transparent part (PC), opaque part (ABS, high gloss PP).
(14) Electric shaver
The plastic varieties chosen are PC/ABS, ABS, PP.
(15) Ovens
The plastic varieties chosen are: PES
As mentioned above, the plastic parts of small home appliances on the market are generally made of PP, ABS, PC/ABS, PC, PBT, PET, PBT/PET, etc. Not only are there a wide variety of plastics used in different small home appliances, but even the plastics used in different parts of the same small home appliance are not the same, and there will be differences in colour and lustre.