Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 15, 2025
05:32
A Soft Tooling Process Chain for Injection Molding of a 3D Component with Micro Pillars
Published on: August 4, 2018
12.9K
External Gas-Assisted Mold Temperature Control Improves Weld Line Quality in the Injection Molding Process
Tran Minh The Uyen1, Nguyen Truong Giang2,3, Thanh Trung Do1
1Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, HCMC University of Technology and Education, Ho Chi Minh City 71307, Vietnam.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 8, 2020
Summary
External gas-assisted mold temperature control (Ex-GMTC) enhances weld line appearance and tensile strength in molded products. This method effectively concentrates heat, improving quality, especially in thinner parts.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Polymer Processing
Background:
- Weld lines in molded products significantly impact aesthetic and mechanical properties.
- Traditional mold temperature control methods often struggle to effectively manage weld line quality.
- External gas-assisted mold temperature control (Ex-GMTC) presents a novel approach to address these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Ex-GMTC on the quality of weld lines in molded products.
- To evaluate the effect of Ex-GMTC on weld line appearance and tensile strength.
- To analyze the thermal distribution and pressure maintenance within the mold using Ex-GMTC.
Main Methods:
- Conducted simulations and experiments using gas temperatures ranging from 200-400 °C.
- Applied Ex-GMTC to the weld line area of injection molds with preheated cavity temperatures.
- Utilized melt flow simulations to analyze packing pressure and mesh thickness variations.
- Performed tensile strength tests on molded parts subjected to varying weld line area temperatures.
Main Results:
- Ex-GMTC improved weld line appearance when cavity temperature was preheated to 150 °C.
- Ex-GMTC maintained high pressure in the weld line area during packing, verified by simulations and experiments.
- Increased weld line area temperature (60-180 °C) significantly improved tensile strength, particularly for 0.4 mm thick parts.
- Simulations confirmed concentrated heating in the weld line area, reducing energy waste.
Conclusions:
- Ex-GMTC is an effective method for enhancing both the visual appearance and mechanical integrity of weld lines in molded products.
- The technique offers precise thermal control, leading to improved material properties and reduced energy consumption.
- Ex-GMTC demonstrates particular benefits for thin-walled molded components, optimizing their performance and quality.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature
815
Heat is a widely used method to control microbial growth by targeting and denaturing cellular proteins, thereby killing or inactivating microbes. This method's effectiveness is quantified using parameters such as the thermal death point (TDP), thermal death time (TDT), and decimal reduction time (D value). TDP represents the lowest temperature at which all microorganisms in a liquid suspension are eliminated within 10 minutes, whereas TDT is the time necessary to achieve sterilization at a...
815
01:22Mass Concreting
212
Mass concreting refers to the process of placing large volumes of concrete, such as in gravity dams. The heat generated during the cement hydration process and differential cooling rates within the concrete mass can lead to a temperature gradient, which can result in thermal cracks in the concrete mass.
To reduce the risk of such cracking, the concrete mix may incorporate low-heat cement and pozzolans to reduce the temperature rise. Pre-cooled angular aggregates and water-reducing admixtures...
To reduce the risk of such cracking, the concrete mix may incorporate low-heat cement and pozzolans to reduce the temperature rise. Pre-cooled angular aggregates and water-reducing admixtures...
212
01:20Hot Weather Concreting
226
Concreting at elevated temperatures accelerates the hydration process, leading to quicker setting but potentially reducing the long-term strength of the concrete structure. Additionally, low air humidity fosters rapid moisture loss from the concrete, resulting in reduced workability, pronounced plastic shrinkage, and a higher likelihood of crazing.
Mitigating the heat increase in concrete can be economically achieved by shading aggregate stockpiles to prevent heating from solar radiation,...
Mitigating the heat increase in concrete can be economically achieved by shading aggregate stockpiles to prevent heating from solar radiation,...
226
01:25Accelerated Curing of Concrete
364
Accelerating concrete curing is achieved by applying heat and additional moisture. This process accelerates the hydration of the cement, resulting in an earlier strength gain in the concrete. Steam curing is a method wherein the concrete products are either transported through a chamber on a conveyor belt or encased in plastic, allowing steam at atmospheric pressure to circulate freely around them. This process begins with a phase of moist curing that typically lasts between 3 to 5 hours, after...
364