A Guide to Injection Molding Materials for Toy Products

Choosing the right plastic material is fundamental to your toy product's quality, safety and cost. Here is a practical guide to the most common materials we work with. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) ABS is the workhorse of the toy industry. It offers excellent impact resistance, dimensional stability and surface finish quality. Ideal for structural parts, figure bodies, building blocks and anything that needs to hold its shape under stress. ABS accepts paint and printing very well, making it the default choice for most collectible figures and action toys. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) PVC is the go-to material for soft, flexible parts — figure limbs, capes, hair pieces and decorative elements. It can be formulated from rigid to very soft depending on plasticizer content. Important note: PVC requires dedicated injection molding machines with anti-corrosion screws because it releases hydrochloric acid during processing. Our factory operates PVC-specific YIZUMI machines for this reason. SAN Resin (Styrene Acrylonitrile) SAN offers exceptional optical clarity — similar to glass but much lighter and more impact-resistant. We use it for transparent display cases, light-transmitting components in LED products, and any application where crystal-clear visibility matters. Food-Grade PP/PE (Polypropylene/Polyethylene) For products that contact food — like theme park popcorn buckets — food-grade PP and PE are mandatory. These materials comply with FDA regulations and Japanese food safety laws. They are microwave-safe, BPA-free and can withstand hot food contact without leaching. Silicone and TPE Silicone and TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) are used for soft-touch accessories, protective phone cases, baby-safe toys and eco-friendly components. They offer high elasticity, are hypoallergenic and can withstand extreme temperatures. Die-Cast Metal For premium collectibles and action figures, die-cast zinc alloy parts add weight, premium feel and joint durability. The metal components are typically used for internal frames, joints and display stand connections.