Microcellular Injection Molding of Gas-Laden Pellets Using Nitrogen (N2) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as Co-Blowing Agents

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofei Sun ◽  
Lih-Sheng Turng ◽  
Patrick J. Gorton ◽  
Pankaj Nigam ◽  
Sezen Buell
Keyword(s):  
Injection Molding ◽  
Foam Cell ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Blowing Agents ◽  
Content Ratio ◽  
Microcellular Injection Molding ◽  
Molded Parts ◽  
Injection Molded ◽  
Combination Approach ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

A novel combination approach to producing quality foamed injection molded parts has been investigated. By combining extruded, gas-laden pellets with microcellular injection molding, the processing benefits and material characteristics of using both N2 and CO2 blowing agents can be realized, thus yielding features superior to that of using either N2 or CO2 alone. Using an optimal content ratio for the blowing agents, as well as the proper sequence of introducing the gases, foamed parts with a much better morphology can be produced. In particular, extruding N2 gas-laden pellets, followed by microcellular injection molding with higher amounts of CO2, produces a cellular structure that is very fine and dense. In this paper, the theoretical background is discussed and experimental results show that this combined approach leads to significant improvements in foam cell morphology for low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) using two different mold geometries.

Comparative study of chemical and physical foaming methods for injection-molded thermoplastic polyurethane

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hrishikesh A Kharbas ◽  
Jason D McNulty ◽  
Thomas Ellingham ◽  
Cyrus Thompson ◽  
Mihai Manitiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injection Molding ◽  
Thermoplastic Polyurethane ◽  
Polyurethane Foams ◽  
Average Cell Size ◽  
Average Cell ◽  
Blowing Agents ◽  
Blowing Agent ◽  
Microcellular Injection Molding ◽  
Injection Molded ◽  
Commercial Applications

Thermoplastic polyurethane is one of the most versatile thermoplastic materials being used in a myriad of industrial and commercial applications. Thermoplastic polyurethane foams are finding new applications in various industries including the furniture, automotive, sportswear, and packaging industries because of their easy processability and desirable customizable properties. In this study, three methods of manufacturing injection molded low density foams were investigated and compared: (1) using chemical blowing agents, (2) using microcellular injection molding with N2 as the blowing agent, and (3) using a combination of supercritical gas-laden pellets injection molding foaming technology and microcellular injection molding processes using co-blowing agents CO2 and N2. Thermal, rheological, microscopic imaging, and mechanical testing were carried out on the molded samples with increasing amounts of blowing agents. The results showed that the use of physical blowing agents yielded softer foams, while the use of CO2 and N2 as co-blowing agents helped to manufacture foams with lower bulk densities, better microstructures, and lower hysteresis loss ratios. Chemical blowing agent-foamed thermoplastic polyurethane showed an earlier onset of degradation. The average cell size decreased and the cell density increased with the use of co-blowing agents. A further increase in gas saturation levels showed a degradation of microstructure by cell coalescence.

Quantitative Study of Shrinkage and Warpage Behavior for Microcellular and Conventional Injection Molding

Materials ◽  
2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Kramschuster ◽  
Ryan Cavitt ◽  
Don Ermer ◽  
Chris Shen ◽  
Zhongbao Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injection Molding ◽  
Hold Time ◽  
Fractional Factorial ◽  
Injection Molding Process ◽  
Molding Process ◽  
Injection Speed ◽  
Microcellular Injection Molding ◽  
Molded Parts ◽  
Injection Molded ◽  
Factorial Design Of Experiments

This research investigated the effects of processing conditions on the shrinkage and warpage (S&W) behavior of a box-shaped, polypropylene part using conventional, microcellular, and microcellular co-injection molding. Three sets of 26-1 fractional factorial design of experiments (DOE) were employed to perform the experiments and proper statistical theory was used to analyze the data. After the injection molding process reached steady state, molded samples were collected and measured using an optical coordinate measurement machine (OCMM), which had been evaluated using a proper repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) measurement study. By analyzing the statistically significant main and two-factor interaction effects, the results show that the supercritical fluid (SCF) content (nitrogen in this case, in terms of SCF dosage time) and the injection speed affect the S&W of microcellular injection and microcellular co-injection molded parts the most, whereas pack/hold pressure and pack/hold time have the most significant effect on the S&W of conventional injection molded parts. Also, this study quantitatively showed that, within the processing range studied, a reduction in the S&W could be achieved with the microcellular injection molding and micro- cellular co-injection molding processes.

scholarly journals Effects of Injection Molding Screw Tips on Polymer Mixing

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dániel Török ◽  
József Gábor Kovács
Keyword(s):  
Injection Molding ◽  
Processing Parameters ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Molding Machine ◽  
Surface Color ◽  
Melt Temperature ◽  
Injection Molding Machine ◽  
Aesthetic Appearance ◽  
Molded Parts ◽  
Injection Molded

In all fields of industry it is important to produce parts with good quality. Injection molded parts usually have to meet strict requirements technically and aesthetically. The aim of the measurements presented in our paper is to investigate the aesthetic appearance, such as surface color homogeneity, of injection molded parts. It depends on several factors, the raw material, the colorants, the injection molding machine and the processing parameters. In this project we investigated the effects of the injection molding machine on surface color homogeneity. We focused on injection molding screw tips and investigated five screw tips with different geometries. We produced flat specimens colored with a masterbatch and investigated color homogeneity. To evaluate the color homogeneity of the specimens, we used digital image analysis software developed by us. After that we measured the plastication rate and the melt temperature of the polymer melt because mixing depends on these factors. Our results showed that the screw tips (dynamic mixers) can improve surface color homogeneity but they cause an increase in melt temperature and a decrease in the plastication rate.

Effect of Processing Conditions on the Shrinkage and Warpage of Glass Fiber Reinforced PP Using Microcellular Injection Molding

2012 ◽  
Vol 501 ◽  
pp. 294-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Bian ◽  
Peng Cheng Xie ◽  
Yu Mei Ding ◽  
Wei Min Yang
Keyword(s):  
Injection Molding ◽  
Glass Fiber ◽  
Injection Pressure ◽  
Mold Temperature ◽  
Process Conditions ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Injection Speed ◽  
Glass Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Microcellular Injection Molding ◽  
Molded Parts

This study was aimed at understanding how the process conditions affected the dimensional stability of glass fiber reinforced PP by microcellular injection molding. A design of experiments (DOE) was performed and plane test specimens were produced for the shrinkage and warpage analysis. Injection molding trials were performed by systematically adjusting six process parameters (i.e., Injection speed, Injection pressure, Shot temperature, SCF level, Mold temperature, and Cooling time). By analyzing the statistically significant main and two-factor interaction effects, the results showed that the supercritical fluid (SCF) level and the injection speed affected the shrinkage and warpage of microcellular injection molded parts the most.

Direct Sinter Bonding of Metal Injection-Molded Parts to Solid Substrate Through Use of Deformable Surface Microfeatures

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Martens ◽  
M. Laine Mears
Keyword(s):  
Injection Molding ◽  
Solid Substrate ◽  
Metal Injection Molding ◽  
Full Density ◽  
Metal Powders ◽  
Molded Parts ◽  
Primary Obstacle ◽  
Injection Molded ◽  
Sinter Bonding ◽  
Micro Features

In the metal injection molding (MIM) process, fine metal powders are mixed with a binder and injected into molds, similar to plastic injection molding. After molding, the binder is removed from the part, and the compact is sintered to almost full density. Though able to create high-density parts of excellent dimensional control and surface finish, the MIM process is restricted in the size of part that can be produced, due to gravitational deformation during high-temperature sintering and maximum thickness requirements to remove the binding agents in the green state. Larger parts could be made by bonding the green parts to a substrate during sintering; however, a primary obstacle to this approach lies in the sinter shrinkage of the MIM part, which can be up to 20%, meaning that the MIM part shrinks during sintering, while the conventional substrate maintains its dimensions. This behavior would typically inhibit bonding and/or cause cracking and deformation of the MIM part. In this work, we present a structure of micro features molded onto the surface of the MIM part, which bonds, deforms, and allows for shrinkage while bonding to the substrate. The micro features tolerate plastic deformation to permit the shrinkage without causing cracks after the initial bonds are established. In a first series of tests, bond strengths of up to 80% of that of resistance welds have been achieved. This paper describes how the authors developed their proposed method of sinter bonding and how they accomplished effective sinter bonds between MIM parts and solid substrates.

scholarly journals The influence of blowing agent addition, talc filler content, and injection velocity on selected properties, surface state, and structure of polypropylene injection molded parts

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Palutkiewicz ◽  
Milena Trzaskalska ◽  
Elżbieta Bociąga
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Impact Strength ◽  
Filler Content ◽  
Hold Time ◽  
Injection Velocity ◽  
Blowing Agents ◽  
Blowing Agent ◽  
Molded Parts ◽  
Injection Molded ◽  
Injection Cycle

The effects of blowing agent, talc, and injection velocity on properties of polypropylene molded parts were presented. Blowing agent was dosed to plastic in amounts 1–2% and talc 10–20%. The results of selected properties, such as weight, thickness, hardness, impact strength, tensile strength, and gloss, were presented. The article also presents microscopic investigations. The blowing agent and talc content have a large impact on mechanical properties and gloss of parts than addition of blowing agent. The use of the blowing agent in an amount of 2 wt% will allow the reduce injection cycle time by reducing the hold pressure and hold time. Addition of blowing agents lowers of tensile strength, hardness, impact strength, and significantly affected the gloss. Talc filler contributes to a significant increase in the weight of parts, a decrease in hardness, impact strength, and tensile strength. The injection velocity has no significant effect on parts properties.

Study of the Structural Characteristics of Mold for Precise Injection Molding

2011 ◽  
Vol 291-294 ◽  
pp. 610-613
Author(s):  
Hong Lin Li ◽  
Zhi Xin Jia
Keyword(s):  
Injection Molding ◽  
Process Parameters ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Injection Mold ◽  
Industrial Products ◽  
Balance System ◽  
Molded Parts ◽  
Manufacturing Accuracy ◽  
Injection Molded

With the improvement of accuracy requirements for industrial products, the precise injection molding is replacing the traditional injection molding quickly and widely. Many factors influence the quality of injection-molded parts greatly, such as the property of the plastics, mold structure and the manufacturing accuracy, injecting machine and the injecting process parameters. In this paper, the work is emphasized for the influence of mold structure on the quality of injection-molded parts. Eight portions of injection mold are analyzed, including the cavities and cores, the guide components, the runner system, the ejection system, the side-core pulling mechanism, the temperature balance system, the venting system and the supporting parts. The structural characteristics of the above eight portions are presented.

Study on Improving the Life of Stereolithography Injection Mold

2012 ◽  
Vol 468-471 ◽  
pp. 1013-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Qing Lai
Keyword(s):  
Injection Molding ◽  
Injection Molding Process ◽  
Injection Mold ◽  
Molding Process ◽  
Molded Parts ◽  
Injection Molded ◽  
Plastic Parts ◽  
Assembly Operations ◽  
Conventional Injection Molding ◽  
Shape And Size

Molding is one of the most versatile and important processes for manufacturing complex plastic parts. It is a method of fabricating plastic parts by utilizing a mold or cavity that has a shape and size similar to the part being produced. Molten polymer is injected into the cavity, resulting in the desired part upon solidification. The injection-molded parts typically have excellent dimensional tolerance and require almost no finishing and assembly operations. But new variations and emerging innovations of conventional injection molding have been continuously developed to offer special features and benefits that cannot be accomplished by the conventional injection molding process. This study aims to improving the life of stereolithography injection mold.

scholarly journals Reducing the Burn Marks on Injection-Molded Parts by External Gas-Assisted Injection Molding

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 4087
Author(s):  
Jiquan Li ◽  
Wenyong Liu ◽  
Xinxin Xia ◽  
Hangchao Zhou ◽  
Liting Jing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Processing ◽  
Injection Molding ◽  
Delay Time ◽  
Quantitative Method ◽  
Surface Defect ◽  
Processing Method ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Molded Parts ◽  
Injection Molded ◽  
Conventional Injection Molding

A burn mark is a sort of serious surface defect on injection-molded parts. In some cases, it can be difficult to reduce the burn marks by traditional methods. In this study, external gas-assisted injection molding (EGAIM) was introduced to reduce the burn marks, as EGAIM has been reported to reduce the holding pressure. The parts with different severities of burn marks were produced by EGAIM and conventional injection molding (CIM) with the same molding parameters but different gas parameters. The burn marks were quantified by an image processing method and the quantitative method was introduced to discuss the influence of the gas parameters on burn marks. The results show that the burn marks can be eliminated by EGAIM without changing the structure of the part or the mold, and the severity of the burn marks changed from 4.98% with CIM to 0% with EGAIM. Additionally, the gas delay time is the most important gas parameter affecting the burn marks.

scholarly journals Peculiarities of Injection Molding Conducting Composites

2018 ◽  
Vol 248 ◽  
pp. 01006
Author(s):  
Yovial Mahyoedin ◽  
Jaafar Sahari ◽  
Andanastuti Mukhtar ◽  
Norhamidi Mohammad ◽  
Iqbal
Keyword(s):  
Composite Material ◽  
Carbon Black ◽  
Injection Molding ◽  
Test Procedure ◽  
Molded Parts ◽  
Twin Screw ◽  
Probe Test ◽  
Injection Molded ◽  
Conducting Composites

The investigations in this study focused on the characteristic of feedstock in an effort to understand the mechanism of injection molded in composite material. A composite, which has 75% wt. filler, consist of graphite (G), carbon black (CB) and polypropylene copolymer (PP). Twin-screw co-rotating extruder used for mixing materials. The conductivity of the molded parts measured using a four-point probe test procedure. The results showed that the injection molding conducting composites, which aggregated into larger clusters, tended to disperse unevenly into the PP, resulting in fewer particle-particle contacts and, consequently, a lower-conductivity composite in some part of the molded.

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