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Injection Molding of Mobile Phone Cases: Silicone, TPU or PC? Which is Better?

2025-10-17

Latest company news about Injection Molding of Mobile Phone Cases: Silicone, TPU or PC? Which is Better?

Material Selection Challenges for Mass-Produced Mobile Phone Cases

When it comes to the mass production of mobile phone cases, choosing the right injection molding material is a crucial challenge. This decision not only impacts the appearance and feel of the final product but also has a bearing on production costs, efficiency, and the protective capabilities of the phone case for the phone. Currently, there are three primary materials available in the market: silicone, TPU, and PC. Gaining a deep understanding of their respective characteristics is the key to making a choice that aligns with the needs of your brand and customers.

Silicone Injection Molded Mobile Phone Cases: Soft Protective Films

Introduction to Silicone

Silicone is a highly active adsorption material. It has stable chemical properties, is non - toxic and odorless. It does not dissolve in water or common solvents and only reacts with strong bases or hydrofluoric acid. These features make it a safe option for everyday items like mobile phone cases.

Advantages of Injection Molding You Will Love

For large - scale production, silicone offers two significant advantages: low cost and high output. The injection - molding process, known as vulcanization molding, uses a hydraulic press to shape the material by applying heat and pressure. This process is simple, efficient, and easy to scale up. The resulting phone cases are soft, flexible, and have excellent shock - absorption properties. As a result, they can provide comprehensive and stable protection for the phone. Additionally, silicone phone cases can enhance the feel of stiff phone buttons. Although the design might be a bit rigid, they are still well - liked by users.

Disadvantages to consider

The soft nature of silicone also brings some drawbacks. Such phone cases tend to be thicker, which makes the phone feel bulkier. Moreover, silicone offers fewer design options. The choices of patterns and colors are more restricted compared to other materials. Over time, silicone can become greasy, attract dust, and in some cases, seep between the phone case and the phone. Furthermore, its fit to the phone may not be as tight as some users desire.

TPU injection molded phone cases: tough all - round products

What is TPU?

TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is an elastic material that lies between rubber and plastic. It is flexible and durable, with a wide range of hardness levels. You can adjust its formula to make it softer or harder according to your requirements.

Why TPU stands out in injection molding

TPU is the top choice for mass production due to its versatility and durability. Its injection - molding process is straightforward: the plastic pellets are melted, injected into the mold, and then cooled. The resulting phone cases have outstanding properties. They are extremely wear - resistant, oil - proof, waterproof, and mildew - proof, making them ideal for those who demand long lasting and durable phone cases. TPU also has good low - temperature resistance, so it will not crack in cold conditions. Most notably, it can be made completely transparent (unlike silicone) and has a richer variety of patterns and colors, providing more freedom when designing high end or fashionable phone cases.

Some minor disadvantages

The main issues with TPU are deformation and yellowing. Over time, especially when exposed to sunlight, transparent TPU phone cases will turn yellow. They are also prone to stretching or deforming after long - term use. In addition, TPU is not resistant to strong polar solvents or weak acids/alkalis, so it is not suitable for phone cases that may come into contact with harsh chemicals.

PC injection molded phone cases: tough, transparent guardians

Understanding PC plastics

PC (polycarbonate) is a high - performance thermoplastic resin that can be regarded as an engineering plastic used in daily products. PC is widely utilized because of its toughness, heat resistance, cold resistance, excellent electrical insulation, and chemical resistance (except for strong acids and alkalis).

Advantages of injection molding in mass production

If you're looking for a thin, transparent, and tough phone case, PC is your first choice. Its injection - molding process supports various post - processing technologies such as vacuum plating, spraying (to create a rubber - like texture), and water transfer printing (for custom patterns). This allows you to create a high - end, aesthetically pleasing phone case. The finished product is thin and light (not bulky) and has excellent impact resistance, protecting the phone from drops. PC also has good light transmittance. Pure PC phone cases are completely transparent, while colored PC phone cases, such as transparent black or blue, look more stylish.

Limitations to note

The biggest drawback of PC is its poor scratch resistance. Even minor scratches can leave marks on a phone case, which will gradually affect its appearance. PC is also very sensitive to scratches, and if a small crack appears, it will easily spread. Long - term exposure to UV rays will cause PC to turn yellow, and it also does not perform well in strong acids or bases.

How to choose: Choose the right material properties based on your needs

Performance first

Based on performance requirements: if you need a soft, shock - absorbing phone case, silicone is the best option. If you're after a durable, flexible, and transparent phone case, TPU is your top pick. If you want a thin, tough, and customizable phone case, choose PC.

Consider production costs

When considering production costs: silicone has a simple molding process and the lowest production cost. In terms of material price, it is highly suitable for affordable mass - market phone cases. TPU is slightly more expensive but still affordable and offers more design options. PC costs a bit more, especially in post - processing such as electroplating or printing, but it's worth it for high - end products.

Matching design goals

In terms of design goals: if your brand focuses on minimalism or vibrant colors, silicone is a good choice. For stylish, transparent, or patterned phone cases, TPU or PC are more suitable. If you want to add premium touches like rubber or custom prints, PC is also your first choice.

Elite Mold Tech: Your trusted partner for phone case injection molding

End-to-end solutions covering every step

Elite Mold Tech offers end to end solutions that cover every step from initial design support to final post processing. Need a prototype for testing first? We use 3D printing to quickly create prototypes. Ready for mass production? Our injection molding services can accurately handle large quantities of products. We also offer post processing services such as electroplating, spraying, and printing to ensure that your phone case looks and feels exactly as you expect.

Expertise in Phone Case Production

We have collaborated with numerous clients in the mobile phone accessories industry, helping them produce silicone, TPU, and PC phone cases that meet market demands. Our team is well - versed in the molding process for each material and will assist you in optimizing your design to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and enhance quality.

Contact Us Now

Ready to start your phone case mass - production project? Contact us:
WhatsApp: +86 19860504405
Whether you are producing affordable silicone protective cases or high - end PC protective cases, we can tailor solutions to your needs to help you bring high - quality products to market faster.

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