Plastics of all kinds are a regular part of life. They help us safely hold a cup of your favorite soda, they protect us of falls and collisions, and they aid us giving life-saving medical care each and every day. Yet, the role that industrial gases play in the making of plastic is somewhat overlooked. In most cases, our favorite products we use every day is dependent upon quality gases in the manufacturing process in order make the type plastics needed to form the solutions we seek.

Nitrogen Use in Plastic Production

A key factor in the use of nitrogen in plastics production is that it is both dry and inert. These two factors make nitrogen a favored gas to us as it maintains the quality and integrity of the process of forming as well as the molded product. This means that it will help maintain the desired color of the product due to the removal of oxidation while forming. Nitrogen also ensures that the polymer being molded has both its intended strength and integrity for a better finished product.

Benefits of Nitrogen Use in Different Types of Plastic Molding

There are some widely used methods of molding where nitrogen is used to great benefit. Here are some that nitrogen makes all the difference in:

Plastic Extrusions- Polymers are forced through a die to create long forms, like pipes. Nitrogen displaces the oxygen to reduce oxidation and helps maintain the health of molding die and machinery.

Injection Molding- When the polymer is injected into the mold, the chamber must be free of oxygen to ensure integrity of the piece part and reduce oxidation. Nitrogen is the perfect choice in this application.

Gas Assist Injection Molding- Known as GAIM to many in the industry, this process used in the formation of large products that have complex structures and need to maintain integrity over longer distances. Nitrogen aids in forming the desired product through a repeatable bubble that forces the polymer into the critical corners of the mold for tight tolerances and correctly finished parts. It is also used in forming hollow shapes due to the application of nitrogen in the molding process.

When looking for the right source of nitrogen for your plastic molding needs, turn to nexAir for the quality, purity, and reliability. Leverage the KnowHowTM of our collective team of gas professsionals to help you make the best decisions for your needs of your facility.