Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol.52, No.1, 180-190, 2012
Feasibility study of thin microinjection molded components
The trend toward the miniaturization of parts has created a strong demand for the manufacturing of precision-molded miniature polymeric components, due to their high productivity and cost-effectiveness. The objective of this study is the investigation of the filling behavior and dimensional accuracy of thin microinjection-molded components using chemical blowing agents and wood fibers. In order to investigate the dimensional stability of the miniature molded parts, a micromold was designed and manufactured using a precision micromilling machine. The flow pattern of the thin molded components was experimentally investigated using different materials: pure linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), foamed LLDPE, and wood fiber LLDPE composite. The results indicate that viscosity significantly affects the flow patterns. Filling behavior of the molded parts was also investigated using commercial flow software. Dimensional accuracy and shrinkage of the molded parts were measured using various gauges. Controlling the cell size, cell density, and distribution of foamed parts was especially difficult for thin micro components; however, the results showed that use of chemical blowing agents can improve the flow ability of the thin components in the microinjection molding process. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. (C) 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers