Injection molding – TechConnect Briefs

The Influence of Different Concentrations of Orotic Acid on the Poly- Lactic Acid Crystallinity Development During Vibration Assisted Injection Molding

Alzahrani F.J., Gao P., Duhduh A., Coulter J.P., Lehigh University, US

This research investigated the effect of the addition of different concentrations of Orotic Acid (OA) on the crystallization kinetics of Poly-lactic Acid (PLA) in non-quiescent conditions. DSC technique was utilized to capture the crystallinity, melting [...]

Thermal-resistant Plastic Composites for Industrial Applications: Processing and Properties

Zhong S., Rutkevičicus M., Stoner C., ABB US Research Center, US

Intumescent thermoplastic composites have found wider applications in recent years thanks to their excellent thermal- resistant performance, low cost and high compatibility in mass production, such as injection molding. A series of intumescent polymer composites [...]

Experimental and Analytical Analysis for Advanced Hot Runner Based Injection Molding

Alqosaibi K., Thakur C., Noor H., Almalki A., Duhduh A., Coulter J.P., Lehigh University, US

A novel technology “Rheodrop” was developed to advance the process of hot runner based injection molding. The technology applies controllable shear rate to the polymer melt during and between injection molding cycles. The application method [...]

Vibration Assisted Injection Molding for PLA with Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Reduced Cycle Time

Duhduh A., Kundu A., Coulter J., Lehigh University, US

Vibration assisted molding (VAIM) is a process in which vibrational movement is introduced to the injection screw during the injection stage of molding processes. This research was focused on the effect of processing parameters on [...]

Investigation of a Hybrid Hot Runner System to Increase the Efficiency of Injection Molding and Improve the Quality of Molded Parts

Alqosaibi K., Thakur C., Duhduh A., Kundu A., Coulter J.P., Lehigh University, US

Hot runner systems are prevalent in the manufacturing of thin walled polymers parts. There are great challenges in industries associated with the quality of the molded parts when utilizing a hot runner system. One of [...]

Anisotropic mechanical performance of 3D printed polymers

Sebert A., Nelson J., Bertacco G., 3D Matter, US

As 3D printing continues to grow as a viable manufacturing process, quantification of the processing options and parameters will allow for better design and modeling of printed parts, or at least clearly understand the trade-offs [...]

The Effects of Recycling on the Structure and Properties of Carbon Nanotube-Filled Polycarbonate

Zhang J., Panwar A., Bello D., Isaacs J.A., Jozokos T., Mead J., University of Massachusetts-Lowell, US

Sustainable manufacturing processes are becoming more important in industrial practice. A critical part of the manufacturing process is understanding the recycling behavior of nanocomposite materials, particularly as more recycled plastic nanocomposites are entering the market [...]

Numerical and Experimental Investigation in Replicating a Micro-Featured Surface with the Injection Molding Process

Rajhi A., Jaafar I.H., Coulter J.P., Lehigh University, US

This paper describes current efforts to numerically and experimentally investigate micro and nanoscale features replication using the injection molding process. A silicon (Si) insert with micro–features is fabricated via photolithography followed by deep reactive ion [...]

Continuous Preparation of Polymer Nanocomposites for Applications in Novel Substrates, Multilayered Materials, and 3D Printing

Barry C., Kazmer D., Mead J., University of Massachusetts-Lowell, US

Polymer nanocomposites are composed of a nanofiller, such as nanoclay, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and nanosilver, in a polymer matrix. Depending on the choice of filler, these nanocomposites exhibit unique material properties, including improved barrier properties, [...]

High-rate Manufacturing of 3D Products with Nanostructured Surfaces

Barry C., De Jesus Vega M., Mead J., University of Massachusetts-Lowell, US

Injection molding permits manufacturing of complex three-dimensional polymer products with nanostructured surfaces in less than 30 seconds. New work has explored the practical limits of feature size during injection molding. Surfaces with a range of [...]