WW2 brought about some new uses for then-recent discoveries.  From atom bombs to mass production of penicillin (for use on soldiers), changes were afoot.  One of the items to become popular was plastisol. 

Plastisol, invented around 1910, was originally used as a cover for shock absorbers.  But due to the shortage of natural rubber during World War II, it started being used as a wire insulation material and a covering for many different items such as tool grips of cutters and pliers.  Now 60 years later, plastisol can be seen everywhere.

Plastisol is used in the medical field for tubing and nasal cannulas.  Plumbing taps, tubes, elbows and hangers are often dipped in plastisol.  Electrical wires and boxes are dipped in plastisol.  Many tools, from pliers, cutters, wrenches and even baby spoons are seen dipped in plastisol.  Automotive parts, marine parts, aerospace parts, farm equipment…the list goes on and on.

Plastisol coating is a combination of PVC in a plasticizer and stabilizer to make it into a thick, pliable liquid.    Flame retardants, colors, textures, antimicrobials, etc., can be added to enhance the product.  An item is then preheated, dipped in the plastisol and then cured.  Or it can be poured into a mold to make an outer coating, cap or plug.  Once cured, the coating is both sturdy and somewhat flexible.   

Plastisol coating is renowned for extreme corrosion resistance, but there is much more to it than that.  It is a tough coating, with a soft feel.  It can offer flame retardant ability and anti-microbial protection as well as electrical insulation.  Plastisol is often applied to components as a preventative measure to reduce wear or eliminate rattling.

At Latem Industries Limited, we make plastisol and apply plastisol.   Whether you need us to do the work, or you have your own equipment and are looking for a plastisol supplier, give us a try.

Plastisol open molding has been used in various industries for years.  For example, it is used in the automotive industry as an alternative to over molding and encapsulation.  It is used in the marine industry for dock post covers and lures.  Equipment manufacturers use it to make specialized bushings.  Recreational industries use it to make toys, coat bicycle handles, among a variety of other things.

Plastisol dip coating is a process that allows a repeatable, reliable and economical coating to be applied over a metal part.  Thickness of the coating is determined by time and temperature, giving a vast array of coating thicknesses.  Colors can be matched, and many additives can be included, such as UV protection, texture, etc.

With plastisol open molding, a pre-designed mold is used to make an object, such as a fishing lure, toy or a grip for tools out of plastisol.  A pre-designed mold can also made and affixed to a metal piece, such as a pedal or handle. 

By coating a handle, such as a seat adjustment handle in a car, with an open mold of plastisol, it offers many advantages.  The “seen” portion of the handle, (the plastisol open mold) can be matched to the color of the car interior.  The plastisol open mold provides a softer surface than the metal, it is warmer to the touch and can also cover any rough or sharp edges.  The plastisol open mold can be textured as well for increased tactile sensitivity.  A major advantage is that it is usually more cost effective than over molding or an encapsulation process.

There are different methods of open molding plastisol.  To make handles that would slide over a tool or bicycle handle, a pre-heated mold is dipped into the plastisol.  The plastisol coats the outside of the mold and is then cured.  The plastisol is then removed from the mold, creating a plastisol image of the outer mold.  This sheath of plastisol is then slid onto the tool or bicycle handle. 

Another method is to pour plastisol into a mold, then cure the plastisol inside the mold.  The plastisol is then cured and removed from the mold.  This is the method used in making fishing lures, such as worms, and some toys. 

A further method is to incorporate an open mold with an existing metal piece.  For example, a car brake pedal is held by tooling with the function end (where it contacts the foot of the person) resting in a mold.  The mold is then filled with liquid plastisol.  The plastisol is cured, fusing the plastisol mold to the metal pedal.  The plastisol open mold is pulled out of the mold, completely fused to the metal arm of the pedal. 

Plastisol open molding can offer the following:

•     Matte/High/Low gloss
•     Color matching, including clear
•     Various thicknesses
•     Texture
•     Foam
•     Electrical insulation
•     High Temperature resistance
•     Flammability requirements
•     Hardness variations
•     UV Resistance

Contact Latem Industries Limited for your plastisol open molding needs.

Plastisol coating is reliable, affordable and protective.

Plastisol coating is applied via a dip process, where a metal part is dipped into a liquid PVC coating.  The coating is quite versatile as the color can be changed, thickness can be altered, and additives can be added to assist; such as UV protection, flame retardants, textures, etc.

Details play an important step in applying plastisol.  Temperature, dwell time, pretreatment, immersion, withdrawal and tooling can all play a vital role.  Let’s take a brief look at each.

Temperature: Determining the temperature can greatly affect the part.  Preheating the part will increase adhesion.  Too much preheat will remove any previous coating on the part/piece such as e-coat or powder coat so care must be taken.  The plastisol dip must also be cured after heating.  Not enough heat will lead to under-cured parts, leaving the plastisol brittle.  Over-curing will burn the plastisol, again resulting in a faulty dip.  The temperature of the part being dipped also determines the thickness of the coating (along with dwell time).

Dwell time:  Dwell time, along with temperature will determine the thickness of the coating.

Pretreatment:  Having a clean surface will increase the adhesion of the plastisol as well as remove any chance of contaminating your plastisol when dipping parts.  Parts are commonly pretreated via wash, shotblasting, coatings such as powder or e-coat or primer. 

Immersion/Withdrawal:  A steady immersion and withdrawal speed will ensure a smooth finish.  Speed of immersion and withdrawal can also eliminate air pockets during the coating process as well as drips.

Tooling:  Tooling as well plays a vital role.  Proper tooling can assist in reducing hook/touch mark size, avoiding air pockets during coating, and increasing throughput.

Plastisol coating has numerous advantages.  By covering the metal part, it offers corrosion and chemical resistance. It can also provide thermal and electrical resistance. Plastisol coatings are used for sound reduction, as well as improving surface appearance.  Touch/feel of a part can be enhanced as well through plastisol coatings. 

Due to these benefits, plastisol is used in many industries.  Exercise equipment, electrical equipment as well as medical instruments use plastisol coatings.  So do agricultural, aerospace and automotive industries.   Furniture, toys and marine parts also take advantage of plastisol’s benefits.

Latem Industries Limited has been providing plastisol dipping and raw plastisol sales for 20 years.  Contact us and let us use our expertise to assist you in your requirements.

Plastisol is a PVC-type coating in plasticizing liquids. At room temperature, Plastisol is a liquid; when heated or cured, the liquid turns to a flexible, rubber-like barrier.

Once applied, Plastisol coating is practically indestructible, making it ideal for numerous high-impact applications.

Why Use Plastisol?

Plastisol coating is renowned for extreme corrosion resistance, but there is much more to it than that.

This coating is tough, making it nearly impossible to damage with impact – it will not chip or fray. Plastisol is often applied to components as a preventative measure to reduce wear or eliminate rattling. It also boasts impressive chemical resistance.

Although it is a PVC-based coating, Plastisol has a soft, almost rubberized feel. It is comfortable and easy to grip and boasts terrific sound-deadening properties. It can be used to reduce the wear on parts and eliminate rattling.

As an insulator with high dielectric strength, this coating also many electrical applications, including electrical sheathing.

How Is It Applied?

Plastisol begins as a fluid mixture of PVC particles and additives. In this non-processed liquid state, it can be poured into a mold or applied in a dipping process. Plastico Industries utilizes several carousel lines and a small monorail line for Plastisol dip coating.

The product is first preheated in an oven. Once the product reaches the determined temperature, it is lowered into the Plastisol solution. The product is coated and then returned to an oven for curing, which converts the liquid to its hardened state.

The thickness of the coating can be controlled by the temperature to which the product is preheated. The higher the preheat temperature, the thicker the coating. Lower temperatures deliver a thinner coating.

Is Plastisol Applied to the Whole Product?

The process of applying Plastisol allows for unlimited flexibility in coating.

In most cases, Plastisol is applied to the whole product, creating an indestructible seal around the piece. When customers ask for only a small portion of a product to be protected with Plastisol, the product is partially dipped to the desired coating requirement and then cured.

So, How Durable is It?

Plastisol offers many advantages not found in other coating options. It delivers a lifetime of protection to the product and is flexible in its composition.

Hardening agents can be added to deliver a cured hardness up to a Shore durometer rating of 90, which is harder than the plastic on a hard hat, while UV inhibitors protect against fading from the sun’s damaging rays.

Additionally, Plastisol has natural anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties and can even be formulated to meet FDA food grade requirements.

What Industries Use Plastisol Coating?

Plastisol bonds well to any metal substrate when properly primed and its extreme durability makes it the coating of choice for applications across every industry. The applications for coated products are wide-ranging. Industries that use Plastisol coating include Forestry, Mining, Aviation, Automotive and Heavy Machinery.

Its flexibility also lends this coating to small and delicate products. Locksmiths understand the advantages of a Plastisol coating, as even the tiniest of lock picks receive this durable coating solution.

Plastisol is also the coating of choice for outdoor municipal playground structures. With its extreme durability, UV protection and sound deadening properties, it’s no wonder why most playground equipment is coated with Plastisol!

To discover more about the many advantages of Plastisol and to receive a no charge quotation for Plastisol coating, visit our web site or call us at 1-888-664-9998.

We're not farmers, and it might be a bit of a stretch perhaps, to say that we are in the ag business, but we do serve a number of agricultural manufacturers. And that number is growing in leaps, both with our coatings, and on the other side of our plant, in metal finishing at Latem Industries.

What We Do

Plastico Industries has been a preferred tier 2/3 supplier to the automotive market for many years. If there is one thing working with this large group has taught us, it is the need to be versatile, to constantly challenge ourselves, and to be ready to react, and even more importantly, to be proactive. It is this way of thinking that drove us into unchartered territory when we made a significant investment in 2016, a new plastisol coating line.

We'd already been working with plastisol since well before the turn of the century, however, not with a line of this magnitude. We had been in discussions with a local playground recreation company for a number of years. This new line would deliver everything this customer needed, and, with significant capacity still left over, would also open new potential for us. Some might say it was a bit of a risk, but we believe it was one well worth taking.

In the movie Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner turns his crops into a full sized baseball field due to a recurring message from above, that tells him "if you build it they will come." 'They' refers to ghosts of the 1919 Red Sox. He built it, they came, great movie!

We didn't hear any voices, however, we did believe that if we built it, they would come. We have yet to be disappointed, as not only have we broken new ground in the recreation business, but our appetite for more has also taken us to the farming community.

Perfect for the Pig Pen

What makes this line of particular interest to the farming community is that it is the perfect coating for flooring often found in swine operations. Our high durometer, food grade plastisol provides a solid, yet considerably softer coating to the bare iron grate floors. It also warmer to the touch, and provides more comfort than bare, or even powder coated steel. 

Plastico Industries uses a primer that bonds the plastisol securely to the substrate, providing further protection from wear, peeling and chipping. Our plastisol is also resistant to a wide variety of liquids, fluids and chemicals, which also makes for easier clean-up.

Chickens Love Us Too

One other pleasant surprise with the capacity of our new line is out ability to work with the poultry industry. From cage flooring to boundary screens, Plastico Industries has had the distinct benefit of working with manufacturers we might not have seen just a few years ago.

Welcome to Our Barn

The agriculture and automotive industries continue to be two of the most significant players in Canada's economy. While Plastico has forever been a preferred supplier in the car business, it is a welcome feather in our cap to be part, or a much bigger part, of the farming business.

Our barn is centrally located, just off of the 401 in Cambridge, and within our operation, you'll find several coating lines, not just in plastisol, but also a black paint line as well as a nylon dip and spray operation.

One major benefit in working with Plastico Industries, is our complete pre-prep services, available through Latem Industries, our parent company, conveniently located at the other end of our plant. From shot blasting for surface preparation to washing and vibratory finishing, we offer the distinct benefit of working with a single-source supplier.

Visit us at www.plastico.ca for more information.

Plastisol coating is a combination of PVC in a plasticizer to make it into a thick, pliable liquid.    An item is then preheated, dipped in the plastisol and then cured.  Once cured, the coating is both sturdy and somewhat flexible.  Here are some of the benefits of plastisol.

Protection

Plastisol protects metals from corrosion and wear from constant use.  This substance serves as a layer to protect against impacts and abrasion.  Tool handles, automotive parts, medical devices and toys are often coated with plastisol for protection.

Vibration Dampening

Plastisol bonded over metal is an excellent sound dampening option.  Fewer  vibrations can enhance worker safety and well-being, as well as reduce noise pollution.

Improve aesthetics

Plastisol can be manufactured to any color.   Different colors can be used for safety, i.e. red plastisol to mark dangerous items, orange traffic cones, yellow safety guarding on equipment, etc.  Color can also be used to identify size. Many manufacturers color code their items to give an easy visual cue for size.

Masking

Plastisol can also be used for masking.  Electroplating and powder coating companies often use plastisol to mask an area or thread they do not want to coat.  These companies also coat the racks used in their process with plastisol to protect them from the dipping process, allowing them to get multiple uses per rack.

Insulator

Plastisol is also a good insulator.   It is commonly used on busbars for electrical insulation.  Copper tubing is often dipped in plastisol.  Plastic coated copper combines the durability and dependability of copper tube with the corrosion protection properties of PVC.  It is often used in LP/Natural gas applications, fuel lines, and water lines.

Finishing is an essential step in preparing fabricated metal parts and components for assembly and/or sale. The quality of the finish, including the application of protective coatings, will have a monumental impact on the product’s ultimate performance and longevity.

In other words, you need a mass finishing and coating partner you can trust, without fail, every single time.

We are proud to offer key advantages that will not only improve the quality of your products but help you cut costs and streamline your production as well!

1. One-Stop-Shop For Mass Finishing & Mass Coating

Latem Industries offers a full range of mass finishing processes, including parts washing, ultrasonic cleaning, blasting, peening, vibratory finishing, tumbling and sanding. We have close to a dozen vibratory units, multiple barrel tumblers, blasting and peening machines, two drum washers and what is quite possibly the largest commercial ultrasonic cleaning set up in Ontario.

Through our sister company Plastico Industries, we can also offer you numerous mass coating solutions. All our coating processes, including spray nylon and dip nylon coatings, Plastisol coatings, and Polyarmor coatings, are engineered to meet demanding automotive, heavy equipment and military specifications.

2. Smooth Pick Up and Delivery

Our 45,000 sq. ft. mass finishing and coating facility is conveniently located just off Highway 401 in Cambridge, Ontario. You’ve probably spotted our big blue sign on your commute!

Because of this location, we are able to offer shipping at a very competitive rate from the Kitchener area to the Greater Toronto Area.

For help with your trucking needs, call our Logistics Department 519-740-0292 ext. 247.

3. Industry-Leading Staff Expertise

With an ever-changing workload, experienced staff is a must. We invest in our employees through continuous education and training to stay ahead of the curve on all our processes and equipment.

You can count on Latem for a consistent, time-efficient finishing process each and every time.
 

4. Flexibility On Process and Volume

You’ll benefit from our flexibility in both sides of our businesses! Plastico and Latem Industries run two shifts a day, and many of our employees are cross-trained on a vast array of equipment and processes. This flexibility enables us to offer finishing and coating services for small runs, one-offs and prototypes in addition to mass production.

5. High-Quality Assurance

We have achieved recognition as an ISO 9001:2015 certified metal coater and finisher, demonstrating our commitment to the high level of quality and consistency our customers expect. Our most recent ISO audit was conducted in 2019 by The Registrar Company, a trusted certification body accredited by the ANSI-ANQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

See the ISO 9001:2015 Certificate of Registration for Plastico Industries and Latem Industries Ltd.

6. Experience and Technical Capability

Latem and Plastico have been in business for a combined 50+ years, polishing our processes and rounding the burrs that have come up along the way. We have plenty of experience putting out every kind of ‘fire’ that can pop up in mass parts manufacturing: sharp edges, rust, oil...the works!

Whether you’re dealing with a common manufacturing flaw or a brand-new product, you can count on us to come up with an ingenious solution.

7. Rapid Processing Time

You’ve got deadlines to meet! Finishing and coating are just two parts of a much bigger picture, and we know you can’t afford any delay.

With our well-trained staff and ample equipment, we’re able to commit to speedy processing times. We’re heavily automotive-based, so we’re well-acquainted with tight turnaround and the need for urgency.

Let our scheduling department impress you with what we can do!

8. Location, Location, Location

Did we mention we’re just minutes off the 401 in Cambridge, Ontario? Latem set up shop here for a reason! Not only are we able to deliver impressive shipping rates throughout the Greater Toronto Area, but we’re located in the heart of Southern Ontario’s manufacturing centre.

Latem Industries is proud to be the premier metal finisher in Southern Ontario.

9. Transparent, Competitive Pricing

To put it simply, we wouldn’t have stayed in business this long if we weren’t competitive! From closely watching efficiencies to improving processes and cycle times, Latem Industries is committed to offering competitive rates that help keep your production costs in check.

10. Environmentally Aware

Did you know our nylon powder coating is derived from Castor bean oils? Our Aquence coating is also environmentally sustainable, containing no heavy metals and very few volatile organic compounds (VOCs.) We also have an extensive wastewater treatment system that’d make a small city jealous!

Plastico and Latem Industries are committed to sustainability and constantly improving our environmental awareness.

At Latem Industries, we can say with confidence that you can count on us for your coating and finishing needs. You don’t have to take it from us - ask any of the hundreds of North American manufacturers who partnered with us over the years!

Call us at 1-888-664-9998 or reach out online to learn more about our mass coating and mass finishing services in Southern Ontario.

Most people see a Plastisol-coated part and assume it was a simple thing to do.

Just a quick dip in a vat of liquid plastic and, like magic, the part comes out with a bright, flawless coating. Sounds easy, doesn’t it?

Well, like most things in life, coating parts in Plastisol isn’t as simple as it might appear! Few people realize the amount of work it takes ‒ not to mention the variables that must come into play ‒ to get the perfect coating.

In fact, it’s rare that any two components are coated in exactly the same manner!

Here are just a few of the questions you’ll need to answer (and trials to overcome) if you’re aiming to achieve the best Plastisol coating, including:

1. Will the part be fully or partially coated?
2. Which areas of the part must be coated?
3. What thickness and hardness is required?
4. What about colour?
5. Any special end-use requirements?

1. Will the Part Be Fully or Partially Coated?

In a dip coating process, the component is attached to the equipment (either by hanging the component or fixing it to tooling) and then lowered into a bath of liquid Plastisol.

If the component is to be fully dip-coated, we need to know which area of the component will be allowed to have an uncoated touch mark or bare spot from the tooling used to hold it. This information determines how to hang the part for immersion.

Depending on the footprint of the equipment’s dipping area, the way in which we hang the component can greatly influence throughput and go a long way in determining the cost of Plastisol dip coating.

2. Which Areas of the Part Must Be Coated?

Along the same lines, we need to know which portion of the component will be coated and which will be exposed and which when the part is to be partially dipped. From there, it can be determined whether the best course of action is to:

Hold the component on the undipped area for immersion;
Trim Plastisol from the component after coating; or
Incorporate masking into the dip coating process.

Again, these factors go a long way in determining the cost to run the part!

3. What Thickness and Hardness Is Required?

Plastisol can be applied thick or thin, depending on the part’s application. Generally, the thickness achieved through a dip coating process ranges from 0.75mm to 2mm.

The formulation and curing process can be adjusted to achieve hardness ratings between 5 Shore A and 80 Shore D.

4. What About Colour?

Plastisol comes in a number of standard colours including black, red, white, blue, green and yellow. Since we make our own Plastisol in-house here at Plastico Industries, we can manufacture custom colors to suit your specific needs. This also lets us control the process from start to finish, cutting back both on waste and additional distribution channels!

5. What Will Be the Component’s End Use?

The remarkable durability of Plastisol coating makes it ideal for a huge variety of applications, from the eliminating BSR in the automotive industry to the military, agriculture, and even the home markets. Knowing the component’s eventual destination and use allows us to customize the substance to meet special requirements such as UV protection, food grade standards, and durometer requirements.

Other Dip Coating Trials and Tribulations

Once these basic questions are answered, we can come up with a process that will achieve the best possible results for the component in question. That’s where we really get down to business! Some of the other factors to consider when formulating a full or partial dip coating process include:

• Drips: Depending on how the part is attached to the tooling, drips can occur during the dipping process. Before the process begins, it must be determined where on the component drips are acceptable and whether we can trim them off later.
• Pooling: If the part is concave or cup-shaped, Plastisol can pool in the inward areas, where it will become too thick and not cure properly.
• Tooling: Will the existing tooling work for this process, or will new tooling have to be made? This, too, will ultimately impact the process’s overall cost.
• Curing: Parts must be preheated, dipped and then cured. The preheating and curing temperatures are determined based on the part’s raw material, size and thickness. If the product needs to be preheated for longer, or requires a longer dip time, this will shore up the cycle times and influence cost via throughput.
• Packaging: Once the part has been processed, we need to know the packaging and labelling requirements. Will it require any special testing or certification?

All in all, it’s safe to say that the Plastisol coating process is not nearly as clear-cut as you’d think! There’s a whole lot you need to consider before, during and even after the component is coated.

That’s the advantage of having 20+ years in the business...we’ve seen it all, so we know exactly how to tackle the many trials, tribulations and pitfalls of Plastisol. Our team handles all the nitty-gritty details so you don’t have to!

Questions? Need a hand? Reach out to us online or call us toll-free at 1-888-664-9998.

BSR. This acronym can stand for many different things (over 50, in fact, according to Google.)

But in the automotive sector, it can mean only one thing: buzz, squeak and rattle. And 99% of the people who deal with BSR in this industry really wish they didn’t have to.

We happen to be among the 1% that don’t mind ‒ because we have the tools and expertise to eliminate BSR for good. Here, I’ll introduce you to three of the coating technologies we use to help automotive manufacturers eliminate buzz, squeak and rattle from their vehicles.

But first ‒ what exactly is BSR?

What Does ‘BSR’ Mean in the Automotive Industry?

Buzz, squeak and rattle (BSR) is a catch-all term for a variety of fiction-induced noises that can be produced by a vehicle. It’s one of the biggest challenges facing automotive engineers today, and the number 1 cause of consumer complaints about new vehicles.

Generally, BSR is the unintended outcome of two component surfaces coming into contact with one another:

• Squeak is caused by a stick-slip action when one part moves against another other.
• Buzz is caused by the structure or component itself as it vibrates against another surface.
• Rattle is caused by a collision between two components.

These noises might also be characterized by a consumer as squeals, creaks, clangs or bangs. At any rate, they’re the last thing any new vehicle owner wants to hear on their first long trip.

The automotive industry has long recognized the importance of vehicle noise when it comes to customer perception. Not only are speaks, buzzes and rattles annoying, they can have a hugely negative effect on how customers rate a vehicle’s quality and dependability. No one wants to save up for a brand-new car only to find that it starts rattling the second you take it down an unpaved road!

When you put it this way, I think you can see why 99% of the people who have this particular issue would much rather not. That’s why numerous articles, videos and blog posts have been made about BSR and how to solve it. In fact, in 2011, someone wrote an entire 296 book on this issue, covering such areas as background theory, testing, analysis and elimination with chapters from leading experts in the field!

Now, I might not have written the book on BSR, but I can tell you about three of the ways we can help you solve it here at Plastico.

3 Ways to Eliminate BSR Using Coatings

One of the go-to solutions for eliminating frictional noise is to apply a protective coating to at least one of the surfaces responsible.

Anti-BSR coatings save manufacturers a lot of time and trouble by avoiding the need to use secondary measures like felt spacers and lubricants post-production.  With the right application and the correct choice of coating, we can effectively eliminate BSR for the entire life of the vehicle.

Plastico Industries offers three coatings that are excellent in removing BSR: nylon, Plastisol and Polyarmor. Each product has its own unique properties and potential applications.

1. Plastisol Coating offers colour, comfort, electrical insulation, texture, gripping power, and resistance to acids, alkalis and oils. Plastico Industries is an industry leader in Plastisol dip coating for the automotive industry.
2. Polyarmor Coating offers a wide range of performance attributes including impact and corrosion resistance as well as UV protection. Plastico offers Polyarmor dip coating.
3. Nylon Powder Coating offers resistance to corrosion, abrasion and chemicals, with natural lubricity and noise-dampening qualities. At Plastico, we offer nylon dip and nylon spray options.

Suffering from BSR? Let us show your components a little TLC and help you allieviate this headache once and for all! Our coating machines are designed to accommodate a myriad of parts. We’re set up to handle small, medium and large parts as well as small, medium and large volumes.

Call us at 1-888-664-9998  or contact us online to learn more about all our coating services

Plastico Industries has been making and applying plastisol for nearly 20 years.  Because we are so ingrained with the manufacturing of it, and the application of it, we often forget that many people are not really sure what plastisol truly is! Here’s a quick, clean primer on the plastic coating known as Plastisol. 

What Plastisol is Made Of

Plastisol is described as, “a suspension of PVC or other polymer particles in a liquid plasticizer.” Huh? 

Let’s put that in layman's terms.  

The first part of the equation is polyvinyl chloride, better known as PVC or vinyl. It’s a synthetic plastic polymer, meaning that it is a chemical, man-made plastic. 

PVC plastic is mainly derived from salt and ethylene. Its production consumes less energy and creates fewer emissions than many other plastic products. Many PVC products are manufactured to meet medical and food-contact standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

PVC is incredibly versatile. It can be made thick or thin, rigid or pliable, and in practically any colour imaginable. The properties of PVC and other synthetic polymers can be modified by combining them with other ‘ingredients’ or additives like plasticizers.

Plasticizers are substances added to materials to decreases their viscosity or thickness. Essentially, the plasticizer dissolves in the polymer and fills the space between the polymer particles, pushing them farther apart. This makes the PVC softer and easier to bend. 

The more plasticizer added, the more flexible the plastic becomes. By combining PVC particles with the right amount of plasticizer, the mixture can flow as a liquid. This liquid can then be applied to other materials through screen-printing/heat transfers, dip-coating or in molds!

You might remember how PVC's came under scrutiny a number of years back due to the presence of phthalates used in plasticizers. We recognized these concerns and switched to a phthalate-free plasticizer out of respect for our customers, end users and of course our employees. Today, Plastico Industries continues to produce a safer, phthalate-free Plastisol.

What Sets Plastisol Apart

Plastisol has many appealing characteristics that make it a top choice for coatings!

1. Colour Matching – Since it’s made primarily from PVC, Plastisol can be matched to any colour you could ever need. Our most popular choices are black, red, blue, green and yellow, but Plastico can also manufacture custom colours in-house.
2. Feel – Plastisol has a “warm to touch”, soft feel that is easy and comfortable to grip.  It is used to coat tool grips, bicycle handlebar grips, furniture handles, and even kid-friendly playground equipment. 
3. Sound Deadening – With a soft, impact-resistant surface, Plastisol can reduce metal-on-metal sounds such as squeaks, buzz or rattle.
4. Electrical Resistance – Plastisol has high dielectric strength and doesn’t conduct heat or electricity. It is often used as an insulator for electrical tools, sheathings and connectors on wiring and busbars.
5. Chemical Resistance – Plastisol’s resistance to alkali and acid makes it ideal for racks and tooling that are exposed to chemical substances.
6. Corrosion Resistance – Excellent for use on farm equipment, playground structures and other outdoor applications.
7. Impact Resistance – Plastisol is tough! We can add hardening agents to produce Plastisol with a Shore durometer rating of up to 90.
8. Wear Resistance – You’ll often find Plastisol coating components that are frequently manipulated such as latches and pull handles.
9. Masking – Used as masking for other secondary coating applications.

How Plastisol Is Applied

Plastico Industries specializes in Plastisol dip-coating and molding. Another option is to dip a pre-made shape into the Plastisol, cure the Plastisol and then remove the Plastisol from the shape. Good examples of this are bicycle handles and caps. 

• Molding – Molding can include pouring the Plastisol mixture into a mold, curing the Plastisol and then removing it from the mold.  This application can be used to make furniture feet, spacers, washers, plugs, fishing lures; the options are limitless.
• Dip-Molding -  Dip-molding occurs when a part is dipped into Plastisol to put a coating over the part. The part must be preheated. This heat, along with the dip time, will determine the thickness of the Plastisol.  This pre-heated part is then dipped into Plastisol to coat it and then heat cured.  

Reach out to us online or call us at 1-888-664-9998 to learn more about our phthalate-free Plastisol dip-coating services.