China Plastic Injection Molding: The Molder's Perspective
China Plastic Injection Molding: What the Molders Think
Every single material is made up of various physical attributes. You must use appropriate procedures and information to make sure that the processes are right and repeatable. Read this article to know a molder’s perspective about china plastic injection molding.
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This article will cover different material properties in a way that even an average person can understand easily. But first, let’s see how a molder thinks about it.
A Molder’s Prospective about China Plastic Injection Molding
All processors use different sorts of engineered resins for molding parts. Every single resin has unique characteristics. The performance of polypropylene is different than nylon; the processing characteristics of amorphous materials and crystalline resins are different.
The material subject is diverse and many experts have made their careers because of their vast knowledge about this complex subject.
The job of a molder can become easier by recognizing and practicing various common factors. However, density and tensile strength are two important elements of the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) data to an engineer who has to pick a material for a specific application.
A process engineer does not require this information for developing the process. It is extremely important to know the compulsory information required for process development.
What is Plastic Injection Molding Used For?
Plastic injection molding is a process to manufacture molded products through plastic materials injection liquefied by the heat into the mold. Manufacturers use it for creating several things, like wire spools, automotive components and parts, small tables and chairs, packaging, musical instruments, mechanical parts, bottle caps, and storage containers, etc.
There is a wide range of plastic products that manufacturers create by china plastic injection molding technology.
Here are a few commonly used materials for plastic injection molding:
- Nylon (Polyamide)
- Polycarbonate
- Acrylic
- Polyoxymethylene
- Polystyrene
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene
There is an extensive list of other plastic materials that are also used for injection molding.
Basic Material Properties
Let’s discuss some fundamental material properties from the perspective of a molder. This will help you understand the complex terminologies even if you are a lame man.
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Viscosity
In simple words, viscosity is the material thickness in its liquefied flowing form. Just hold a board at an angle and pour down corn syrup and water on it. The water will flow easily as it is quite thin with low viscosity. On the other hand, corn syrup will flow slower because it is thicker and has a higher viscosity.
When we talk about the engineered resins, there is an uninterrupted relationship between specific gravity numbers and styrene viscosity. Styrene is known as the mean (middle point) of the material viscosity scale.
The material will have higher viscosity if it has a positive gravity number. On contrary, the materials with negative gravity numbers will have lower viscosity. Therefore, the viscosity of styrene depends on how low or high the SG numbers are.
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Melt Temperature
Melt temperature (MT) is often one of the most overlooked SDS variables. The melt’s temperature that is coming out from a barrel is very important in establishing primary set-points for the process. Melt temperature needs to be set at low in the initial process development stage. This will make sure that the barrel temperature is not a huge factor while establishing the cycle time.
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Barrel Temperature
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) usually provides the set-points of barrel temperature that serve well as the starting point temperature. Here, you must understand that adjustments might be required to the set-points to ensure desired melt temperatures.
It is imperative to confirm that the actual temperatures of the transition zone don’t supersede the set-points. If it is superseding the set-points, then it’s a sign that the barrel shear is unnecessarily greater than the set-points. You also need to confirm that the timing of screw rotation is consistent. A lower temperature in the feed zone can produce poor feeding in the feed throat.
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Drying
China plastic injection molding material companies also provide drying information of their material which is important to the processing requirements. You must explicitly follow the information that comes with the material. It is imperative to evaluate dryers to make sure their size is appropriate and meets the desired drying time.
Here, you should know that the material in the middle of the dryer flows faster than the material against dryer walls. If you choose a dryer that has a throughput very near to the desired drying time, then it may cause processing errors.
Moreover, there are always chances that the materials may also over-dry. In a dryer, some materials may stand long events, but keep in mind that the material blends comprise of various diverse basis, pigments, and additives, etc. As a best practice, you should set dryer temperatures periodically that the material sits idle for 8 or more hours in the dryer.
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Back Pressure
This is something that is not always incorporated on the Safety Data Sheet. However, this parameter still has critical importance in the processing scope. The best solution is that you use slight back pressure to minimize the breakdown of the molecular chains.
If backpressure is overlooked, then it can cause processing inefficiencies. And in case of the reinforced plastics, such as metal strands and glass, it can also result in poor structural/physical qualities.
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Injection Speed
Injection speed is always a top consideration during the process development. A few materials may work better at the faster speeds while some work best at the slower speeds. We advise you to start the injection speed in processing the widow’s middle. After that, adjust speeds according to the molding variables when they show themselves.
It is extremely important to understand that temperature, viscosity, and speeds are directly proportional to each other.
High Temperature = Low Viscosity = Fast Fill Speeds = Low Fill Time
Low Temperature = High Viscosity = Slow Fill Speeds = High Fill Time
For flawless process development, understanding material properties, and information that the manufacturers provide is essential. Different materials come with different arrays of attributes.
So, you must use appropriate procedures and information to ensure that the process completes flawlessly. Process development holds significant importance in the failure or success of every china plastic injection molding company.
Plastic molding is a very common practice in many commercial and domestic applications. There are many china plastic injection molding companies that you can choose from for your plastic molding needs.
But, you need to hire the best company that offers unparalleled, specialized services by meeting the desired service standards. While hiring a company, you must ask them for their certifications and previous work history. You should also make sure that the company you choose offers round-the-clock customer support.
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