Resin and Pellet Manufacturers Key Terms

Understanding terminology used by resin and pellet manufacturers

By Kim Finn

Plastic resin and pellet manufacturers serve all types of industries. If you're getting ready to do business with a resin or pellet manufacturer, or even if you're considering starting your own business working with resin and pellets, make sure you understand the key terms used throughout the industry.

This guide focuses on six key terms, beginning with basic definitions for resin and resin pellet. Other terms include polymer, injection molding, extrusion and American Chemistry Council.

Resin

Resin comes in the form of either a natural or a synthetic compound that starts out with a glue like consistency but hardens into a plastic or vinyl as it's treated.
Try: Learn more about different types of resins; like acrylic bonding resins, casting resins, CIPP resins, corrosion resins, and more when you click on the links on the right side of the page at the AOC website. AOC is a manufacturer of resin products.

Resin pellet

Resin pellets are small granules, typically measuring a few millimeters, that are formed in the shape of a cylinder or disk. They're considered raw manufacturing material and are shipped in bulk to manufacturers where they're re-melted and then molded into a final product.
Try: Learn more about one solution for cleaning up messy resin pellet spills and debris at Elgee Manufacturing.

Polymer

A polymer is a large molecule composed of many molecules strung together. Polymers typically come in the form of thermoplastic or thermosetting resins. Polymer products can be rubbery, sticky or gooey or hard and tough.
Try: For more information on polymers and a list of manufacturers, visit the GlobalSpec website.

Injection molding

Injection molding refers to the process of taking resins and converting them into products using injection molding machines. Originally developed in the 1930s, injection molding benefits include reduced scrap and minimal finishing requirements.
Try: Learn more about the injection molding process at CustomPartNet. Topics include injection molding capabilities, process cycle, equipment, tooling, materials, possible defects, design rules and cost drivers.

Extrusion

Extrusion is a common manufacturing process using machines called extruders. The process begins by melting resins. That material is then heated and pumped for processing. After extrusion, the melted extrudite is processed through other manufacturing operations to produce products like pellets, sheets, film, pipes or molded parts.
Try: View examples of extruded shapes and profiles at HPE Extrusion Solutions.

American Chemistry Council

The American Chemistry Council is a professional trade organization that was founded in 1872 and consists of leaders in chemistry throughout the country. The organization's members commit to goals and guidelines that extend beyond federal regulations regarding safety, health and the environment. Its Plastics Division includes leading plastic resin manufacturers.
Try: Get more information on the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council and on the plastics industry by clicking on any of the links at the organization's website.