PVC, vinyl, ABS, PU and polystone – I believe you've heard of these. What are they? Are they all types of plastic? Is POLY more expensive and advanced than VINYL? We are confused about these materials and processes.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
VINYL is the "V" in Polyvinyl Chloride. PVC is the raw material for VINYL and SOFUBI. The two basic forms of PVC are hard and soft. SOFUBI is the phonetic abbreviation of the Japanese term "Soft Vinyl" and its material is soft PVC. Vinyl refers to a special production process of PVC. PVC has the following advantages:
1. Good stability
2. Good plasticity
3. Lightweight
4. Low cost
PVC is the most commonly used material for collectible toys. The materials of VINYL and SOFUBI are also PVC. While the cost of PVC is low, the mold cost is high, making it suitable for mass production.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is found everywhere in daily life, such as in car fenders, dashboards, televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and more. Most of the blind boxes and PVC figures on the market are made from PVC and ABS materials. Why use two different materials? The answer lies in their distinct characteristics. PVC is tough, while ABS is hard. PVC collectibles are more prone to deforming, cracking, or wearing out. ABS, on the other hand, is more suitable for long-term weight-bearing parts, such as the legs, arms, and neck of toy figures. ABS is also easier to process for detailed expressions and plating, making it ideal for creating fine details and a metal-like texture. Most blind boxes and figures on the market combine PVC and ABS parts, with the main components being PVC and ABS for areas that require weight or sharp accessories.
PU (Polyurethane)
PU (Polyurethane) is the main material used to make Garage Kits. The commonly used 'HEI-CAST resin' is a type of PU resin. It is made by mixing agent A and agent B in equal ratios and quickly molded. PU is highly malleable, with a strong ability to express fine details and a pleasant feel. It comes in various colors, such as white, beige, ivory, transparent, and more. It can also be mixed with special colors. PU material is more expensive compared to PVC, ABS, and other traditional plastics. It is commonly used in art toys, especially when the toys need to be lightweight. PU is often used for small-batch production of artist and designer toys. Compared to PVC, the material cost is high, but the mold cost is low. Labor costs are higher, resulting in a higher combined cost per unit.
Poly (Polystone)
Polystone is a type of artificial stone, commonly used in statues and more recently in art toys. It is made from resin mixed with stone powder. The advantages and disadvantages of Polystone are as follows:
Advantages:
1. The material is inexpensive.
2. It offers impact resistance, heat resistance, and high hardness.
3. It has a longer lifespan.
Disadvantages:
1. It is heavy.
2. It is more brittle.
Compared to PVC, ABS, and PU, Polystone is the hardest, heaviest, and most prone to fracture.