The necessity of plastic in our lives cannot be undermined, and rotational molding turns this versatile material into usable items. 97% of rotomolding products comprise polyethylene, and the rest come from polypropylene. Several industries use rotomolded products. Here is a detailed overview of industries transformed by rotomolding.
Automotive Industry
The automotive industry has benefited the most with this technology. Auto companies can make their vehicles lighter by using rotomolded parts. Lightweight vehicles are fuel-efficient and eco-friendly.
Be it recreational vehicles, golf carts, farm vehicles, or aircraft parts, this process has seeped into just about any vehicle. The process allows customization, ensures minimal waste, and excellent uniformity.
The products also have fewer stress points due to uniform wall thickness. Some of the parts used by the auto industry are armrests, dashboards, heating and air conditioning ducts, filler tubes, kayaks, lightweight boats, baby car seats, and many more.
Toy Industry
Think about a preschool setting and the first image that pops into your mind is of playhouses, climb-and-slide, and pedal cars. Rotational molding has revolutionized the toy industry by allowing manufacturers to produce toys and play equipment that do not have sharp edges, are brightly colored, easy to carry, and, most of all, safe for children. It allows toys to be seamless and weld-free, thus making them impact resistant.
A few examples of toys and preschool equipment manufactured using this process are hollow balls, slides, and climbers, dollhouses, tricycle and bicycle parts, children’s vehicles, etc.
Packaging and Storage Industry
Stackable containers, tanks, shipping containers, drums, barrels, refrigerator boxes, plastic lockers, and laundry trucks are some of the products of rotomolding in this industry. Plastic makes storage of liquid items easy and leak proof. Also, their lightweight makes them easy to transport.
A variety of plastic polymers can be used to create products of varying density. High-density PE – 940-965 kg/m3 makes durable shipping containers, while low-density PE – 915-929 kg/m3 creates home use containers.
Furniture Industry
Furniture manufacturers have long bid farewell to wood and welcomed plastic into their factories. Plastic furniture is the norm in almost any setting. From chairs to tables to lawn furniture, lounge chairs, the possibilities are endless. They come in attractive colors, even finish, and sturdy designs that make them an attractive option for homes, offices, restaurants, and even bars.
Marine Industry
Mooring buoys, navigation aids, SOLAS-approved lifebuoys, marker buoys, boom floats, fuel tanks, and net floats are some of the items used by the marine industry that are made from rotational molding. Plastic is water’s best friend, and just about all water equipment is made out of plastic.
Rotomolding allows the equipment to float and gives it bright colors that are easy to spot from a distance. Most marine safety equipment and marina offshore buoyancy equipment are results of this process.
Each day, we use several items crafted through rotomolding. The products of this process have permeated our lives to a great extent and are here to stay. So many industries use rotomolded products, and further research is being carried out to include this process in creating better replacements for other materials.
