变模温与型腔气体反压辅助微孔发泡注塑技术及其产品内外泡孔结构演变

建立了一种变模温和型腔气体反压协同控制的微孔发泡注塑技术,研制了相应的变模温控制系统与型腔气体反压控制系统,构建了变模温与型腔气体反压辅助微孔发泡注塑试验线,并对变模温与型腔气体反压作用下的产品内外泡孔结构演变进行了研究。结果表明,变模温与型腔气体反压辅助工艺单独施加于微孔发泡注塑技术时,对其产品内外泡孔结构均具有双重影响:变模温可以改善产品大部分的表面形貌,但其对填充过程中的熔体发泡影响不大;型腔气体反压可以基本抑制填充过程中的熔体发泡,但却对产品内部泡孔密度有比较明显的降低影响。通过变模温与型腔气体反压的协同控制,可以实现微孔发泡注塑产品表面气泡形貌和内部泡孔结构的良好调控。     

An experimental investigation of class A surface finish of composites made by the resin transfer molding process

Achievement of high class surface finish is important to the high volume automotive industry when using the resin transfer molding (RTM) process for exterior body panels. Chemical cure shrinkage of the polyester resins has a direct impact on the surface finish of RTM molded components. Therefore, resins with low profile additives (LPA) are used to reduce cure shrinkage and improve surface quality of the composite parts. However, little is known about the behaviour of low profile resins during RTM manufacturing and their ultimate effects on the surface quality of molded plaques. In this work, the effects of controlled material and processing parameters on the pressure variations, process cycle times and ultimately on the surface quality of RTM molded components were investigated. Taguchi experimental design techniques were employed to design test matrices and an optimization analysis was performed. Test panels were manufactured using a flat plate steel mold mounted on a press. Pressure sensors were inserted in the mold cavity to monitor pressure variations during different stages of cure and at various locations in the mold cavity. It was found that a critical amount of LPA (10%) was required to push the material against the mold cavity and to compensate for the resin cure shrinkage. A significant increase in pressure was observed during the later stages of resin cure due to the LPA expansion. The pressure increase had a significant effect on the surface roughness of the test samples with higher pressures resulting in better surface finish. A cure gradient was observed for low pressure injections which significantly reduced the maximum pressure levels.     

注塑成型冷却过程的数值模拟

采用循环平均假设，忽略模壁温度的周期变化，将模具的传热简化为三维稳态热传导总是，考虑到注射模的结构特点（型腔为狭缝面，冷却孔细长），推导出求解其温度场的边界积分方程；注塑件的传热简化为一维瞬态热传导，给出确定其冷却时间及表面循环平均热流的方法；通过模具及塑件传热的耦合迭代分析，使模具－塑料件界面的温度和热流满足相容条件，最终确定模具型腔的温度分布及塑件的冷却时间。最后通过一个例子说明数值模拟在冷却系统设计中的应用。     

Prediction of shrinkage and warpage in consideration of residual stress in integrated simulation of injection molding

The accurate prediction of shrinkage and warpage of injection molded parts is important to achieve successful mold design with high precision. In this study, the numerical analysis of shrinkage and warpage of injection molded parts made of amorphous polymers was carried out in consideration of the residual stresses produced during the packing and cooling stages of injection molding. The temperature and pressure fields were obtained from the coupled analysis of the filling and post-filling stages. For residual stress analysis, a thermo-rheologically simple viscoelastic material model was introduced to consider the stress relaxation effect and to describe the mechanical behavior according to the temperature change. The effect of the additional material supply during the packing stage was modeled by assigning the reference strain. The deformation of injection molded parts after ejection induced by the residual stress and temperature change was analyzed using a linear elastic three-dimensional finite element approach. In order to verify the numerical predictions obtained from the developed program, the simulation results were compared with the available experimental data in the literature. In the case of residual stress, it was found that the present simulation results overpredicted the tensile residual stresses at the surface of injection molded parts. However, the predicted shrinkage was found to be reasonable to describe the effects of processing conditions well. Finally, an analysis of the shrinkage and warpage was successfully extended for a part with a more complex curved shape.     

Experimental determination and numerical prediction of mechanical properties of injection molded self-reinforcing polymer composites

A novel method to calculate the distribution of tensile modulus of injection molded PET/LCP blends across the thickness of the mold cavity has been developed, based on the generalized Halpin–Tsai composite model, but with a variable fiber aspect ratio. Using this method, we are able to make a number of predictions regarding the effects of melt temperature, mold temperature, injection speed, and LCP volume fraction on the moduli of the injection molded blends. Our predictions show that in order to optimize the reinforcement effect of the in-situ formed LCP fibers in the blends, low mold temperature and low injection speed are required. These results are in good agreement with experimental results.     

工艺参数对高光注射成型制品复制率的影响

以自主开发的车载高光蓝牙外壳模具和温控辅助装置为基础,研究了工艺因素对高光注射成型制品复制率的影响。结果表明,高光成型制品复制率随着模具温度的升高而准线性增大;模温设定条件下,保压压力对制件复制率的影响最大,其次是保压时间,冷却时间影响最小,熔体温度和注射压力的影响以塑料热变形温度为分界点,当模温低于该温度时注射压力的影响较大,反之则相反;随着模温逐步升高,熔体温度和注射压力对制品复制率影响小幅度增大,保压压力、保压时间和冷却时间的影响呈倒"V"型小幅度波动,且均在塑料热变形温度附近达极小值。     

注射压缩成型与常规注射成型的模腔压力对比分析

在自主开发的注射压缩模具上安装模腔压力传感器,从工艺角度出发,对常规注射成型和注射压缩成型的模腔压力进行了工艺相关性的对比与分析。结果表明,注射压缩可有效降低注射压力和模腔压力,使模腔压力场更加均匀。常规注射成型中模腔压力受模具温度的影响最大,其次为熔体温度、保压时间和保压压力,而注射压缩成型中压缩速率对模腔压力的影响最大,其次为熔体温度和模具温度,压缩行程最弱。低残余应力与低翘曲变形进一步验证了注射压缩的技术优势和压力场特征,表明了模腔压力具有重要的工艺性能指导作用。     

Effect of gate size on the melt filling behavior and residual stress of injection molded parts

This paper studies the effects of gate size on the cavity filling pattern and residual stress of injection molded parts. A total of three rectangular gates with different sizes were used. Experiments were carried out by using a dynamic visualization system. A flow visualization mold was specially designed and made for this study. A high-speed video camera was used to record the mold filling phenomena of cavities with different gate size and different processing parameters. In addition, a Stress Viewer was used to characterize the residual stress of molded samples. It was found that the undersized gate has many adverse effects on the filling behavior and residual stress of molded parts. With a larger gate, the cavity will be filled faster and residual stress of parts may be smaller. The result of the study also indicates that nozzle temperature and injection rate can significantly affect the above two aspects.     

注射成型聚苯乙烯的取向和残余应力

设计带压力传感器和热电偶的矩形模具,进行聚苯乙烯不同工艺条件注射成型实验,通过测试双折射３个热直方向的分量,分析工艺条件对制品性能的影响。最后讨论注射成型制品中的取向分布和残余应力。     

Application of calcium carbonate in resin transfer molding process: An experimental investigation

The resin transfer molding (RTM) process is used to manufacture advanced composite materials made of continuous glass or carbon fibers embedded in a thermoset polymer matrix. In this process, a fabric preform is prepared, and is then placed into a mold cavity. After the preform is compacted between the mold parts, thermoset polymer is transferred from an injection machine to the mold cavity through injection gate(s). Resin flows through the porous fabric, and eventually flows out through the ventilation port(s). After the resin cure process (cross‐linking of the polymer), the mold is opened and the part is removed. The objective of this study is to verify the application of calcium carbonate mixed in resin in the RTM process. Several rectilinear infiltration experiments were conducted using glass fiber mat molded in a RTM system with cavity dimensions of 320 × 150 × 3.6 mm, room temperature, maximum injection pressure 0.202 bar and different content of CaCO₃ (10 and 40%) and particle size (mesh opening 38 and 75 µm). The results show that the use of filled resin with CaCO₃ influences the preform impregnation during the RTM molding, changing the filling time and flow front position, however it is possible to make composite with a good quality and low cost.     

注塑成型工艺参数对制品体收缩率变化的影响及工艺参数优化

结合CAE及Taguchi DOE技术研究工艺参数对注塑制品体收缩率变化(制品中体收缩率的最大值与最小值的差值)的影响并获得优化的工艺参数以使制品的体收缩率变化最小。文中采用L9(3^4)正交矩阵进行实验,并研究了各个参数对制品体收缩率变化的影响程度,对于所选参数,保压压力和模具温度对注塑制品的体收缩率变化的影响较大。     

Forming characteristics during the high-pressure resin transfer molding process for CFRP

The high-pressure resin transfer molding (HP-RTM) process has potential applicability to the mass production of lightweight vehicles made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic in the automotive industry. In recent years, the development of robust equipment, new processes, and fast cure matrix systems have significantly reduced the cycle time to less than 5 min. In this study, the cavity pressure of the HP-RTM process was monitored to analyze the molding characteristics. The mold was equipped with two cavity pressure sensors and three temperature sensors. The cavity pressure characteristics during the HP-RTM injection, pressurization, and curing processes were studied. Selected process parameters such as the mold cap size, maximum pressing force, and injection volume were analyzed. The results demonstrated correlations between the selected process parameters and final forming characteristics.     

Plastic Injection Molding of High-Aspect Ratio Micro-Rods

Technological advancements have led to an increase in demand for fabrication of small and cheap miniature components or parts, especially in the medical and electronic fields. In this research work, micro-rods of varying lengths and diameters were molded using a specially designed tabletop injection molding machine. The main purpose was to investigate whether complete filling of the microcavities was possible and whether small cavity openings will restrict melt flow into the cavities.

Process parameters, such as injection pressure, mold temperature and melt temperature were varied. The micro-rods obtained were analyzed with Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM). The results showed that injection pressure was the most important parameter for microinjection molding. The use of a vacuum system also yielded better results.     

Plastic Injection Molding of High-Aspect Ratio Micro-Rods

Technological advancements have led to an increase in demand for fabrication of small and cheap miniature components or parts, especially in the medical and electronic fields. In this research work, micro-rods of varying lengths and diameters were molded using a specially designed tabletop injection molding machine. The main purpose was to investigate whether complete filling of the microcavities was possible and whether small cavity openings will restrict melt flow into the cavities.

Process parameters, such as injection pressure, mold temperature and melt temperature were varied. The micro-rods obtained were analyzed with Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM). The results showed that injection pressure was the most important parameter for microinjection molding. The use of a vacuum system also yielded better results.     

Analysis of thermal cycling efficiency and optimal design of heating/cooling systems for rapid heat cycle injection molding process

Rapid heat cycle molding (RHCM) is a molding process that the mold cavity is rapidly heated to a high temperature before plastic melt injection, and then cooled quickly once the cavity is completely filled. Heating/cooling efficiency and temperature uniformity of the RHCM system are two key technical parameters to ensure a high productivity and high-quality products. In this study, a numerical model to analyze the heat transfer in heating and cooling phases of RHCM was built. The effect of heating/cooling medium, layout and structure of the heating/cooling channels, mold structure, etc., on heating/cooling efficiency and temperature uniformity was studied and discussed by analyzing the thermal responses of the molding system in RHCM process. Based on the simulation results, the optimization design of the RHCM mold with hot-fluid heating was performed. Then, a new RHCM mold structure with a floating mold cavity was proposed to improve the heating/cooling efficiency and temperature uniformity. The effectiveness of this new mold structure was also verified by numerical experiments. At last, a RHCM production line with steam heating and water cooling was constructed for a thin-wall plastic part. In testing production, the molding systems can be heated and cooled rapidly with a molding cycle time of about 72 s. The production results show that the aesthetics of the molded parts was greatly enhanced and the weld mark on the plastic part’s surface was completely eliminated.     

Effects of Injection Molding Parameters on the Production of Microstructures by Micropowder Injection Molding

Micropowder injection molding (μPIM) is a potential low-cost process for the mass production of metal or ceramic microstructures. In order to obtain good molded microstructures and to avoid molding defects, it is important to select suitable injection molding parameters. In this paper, the selection of injection molding conditions for the production of 316L stainless steel microstructures by μPIM is presented. Silicon mold inserts with 24 × 24 microcavities were injection molded on a conventional injection molding machine. The dimensions of each microcavity were Φ 100 μ m × depth 200 μm, giving an aspect ratio of 2. The distance between each microcavity was 200 μm. Five sets of experiments were conducted by varying one injection molding parameter at a time. The parameters included injection pressure, holding pressure, holding time, mold temperature, and melt temperature. Higher injection pressure and holding pressure were required during the injection molding process due to the small dimensions of the microcavities and the large number of microcavities (576 microcavities). High mold temperature was required for complete filling of the microcavities. Molded microstructures without visual defects were obtained using appropriate injection molding parameters. Catalytic debinding and sintering of the 316L stainless steel microstructures were successfully conducted.     

Replication of metal microstructures by micro powder injection molding

In this paper, a study on the production of 316L stainless steel microstructures by μPIM (powder injection molding) is presented. Two types of mold inserts were used and the molding was conducted on a conventional injection molding machine. Based on the characteristics of the mold inserts and the feedstock, suitable processing parameters were selected. Some requirements for the production of the microstructures are discussed. For example, a relatively high mold temperature, high injection pressure and holding pressure were required. The study showed that 316L stainless steel microstructures of φ100 × 200 μm can be injection molded, but there were incomplete filling and demolding problem in the case of smaller microstructures of φ60 × 191 μm. The molded parts were successfully debound and sintered.     

气体辅助注射成型聚丙烯的多层次结构

用扫描电镜(SEM)观察了气体辅助注射成型(GAIM)和常规注射成型(CIM)等规聚丙烯(iPP)在不同部位的结晶形态。发现CIM试样的"皮-芯"结构不明显,而GAIM试样在不同部位则形成了包括球晶、串晶和取向片晶,进而表现出明显的多层次结构。在结晶形态分析的基础上,初步探讨了GAIM制品多层次结构的形成机理。     

A model for fiber length attrition in injection-molded long-fiber composites

Long-fiber thermoplastic (LFT) composites consist of an engineering thermoplastic matrix with glass or carbon reinforcing fibers that are initially 10–13 mm long. When an LFT is injection molded, flow during mold filling degrades the fiber length. Here we present a detailed quantitative model for fiber length attrition in a flowing fiber suspension. The model tracks a discrete fiber length distribution at each spatial node. A conservation equation for total fiber length is combined with a breakage rate that is based on buckling of fibers due to hydrodynamic forces. The model is combined with a mold filling simulation to predict spatial and temporal variations in fiber length distribution in a mold cavity during filling. The predictions compare well to experiments on a glass–fiber/PP LFT molding. Fiber length distributions predicted by the model are easily incorporated into micromechanics models to predict the stress–strain behavior of molded LFT materials.     

Heating/cooling channels design for an automotive interior part and its evaluation in rapid heat cycle molding

Rapid heat cycle molding (RHCM) is a recently developed innovative injection molding technology. Rapid heating and cooling of the injection mold is the most crucial technique in RHCM because it not only has a significant effect on part quality but also has direct influence on productivity and cost-efficiency. Accordingly, Heating and cooling system design plays a very important role in RHCM mold design. This study focuses on the heating/cooling system design for a three-dimensional complex-shaped automotive interior part. Heat transfer simulation based on finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted to evaluate the thermal response of the injection mold and thereby improve heating/cooling channels design. Baffles were introduced for heating/cooling channels to improve heating/cooling efficiency and uniformity of the mold. A series of thermal response experiments based on full factorial experimental design were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the improved heating/cooling channels design with baffles. A mathematical model was developed by regression analysis to predict the thermal response of the injection mold. The effects of the cavity surface temperature on weld mark and surface gloss of the part were investigated by experiments. The results show that the developed baffle-based heating/cooling channels can greatly improve thermal response efficiency and uniformity of the mold. The developed mathematical model supplies an efficient approach for precise predication of mold thermal response. As the cavity surface temperature raises to a high enough level, automotive interior parts with high gloss and non-weld mark surface can be obtained.