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Polymer Processing Methods - Coggle Diagram
Polymer Processing Methods
Calendering
A machine equipped with multiple rollers, either internally heated or cooled which are placed above each other. The rollers roll in opposite directions and can roll at even or uneven speeds.
Extrusion
A process which forces a molten plastic material through a shaped die by means of pressure with mixing fillers added into the melt.
Compression Molding
A molding compound is placed in a mold, which is held between the heated platends of a hydraulic press.The platen closes with sufficient pressure to minimize flash at mold parts line. The compound then softens and flows to take the shape, and chemical cure occurs when the temperature is high enough.
Transfer Molding
Transfer molding is a technique derived from compression molding in which reservoir of the molding compound is located in the mold and upon closure is transferred via runner to the cavities. Transfer molding is used to create many small parts easily and to reduce risk of damage to thin or delicate parts.
Injection Molding
A process which injects molten polymer into a closed mold, where it solidifies into the shape of the mold. The mold is then opened to retrieve the shaped product.
Blown Film Extrusion
A process that uses air to shape softened, extruded polymer tubes, and is used to produce relatively thin films and bags. The tubes with air blown into them is either flattened and placed on a roll for bag production or split open to form films.
Blow Molding
A process that utilizes air to shape softened
polymer tubes and is used to produce hollow items such as bottles. This process uses a mold to shape the bottles. This process is split into extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding and stretch blow molding.
Extrusion Blow Molding
Injection Blow Molding
Stretch Blow Molding first prepares the polymer in a preform using the Injection Blow Molding process, and then heat them past their glass transition temperature and then blown into molds using high pressure air.
Rotational Molding
This process uses gravity inside a rotating mold to achieve a hollow form is an alternative to blow molding for making large, hollow shapes and favors more complex external geometries, larger parts, and lower production quantities than blow molding. It has cheaper mold than injection or blow molding, but the production cycle lasts longer.
Thermoforming
This process uses compressed air or vacuum to reshape thermoplastics. Thermoforming is used to manufacture thermoset sheets or large parts such as swimming pool or motorized vehicle parts. The material used in this process is heated until it softens and pressed against a mold by mechanical, air or vacuum means. This process differs from other process because it does not melt the material first before processing.
Filament Winding
This process is normally used to produce a hollow cylindrical shape. This process passes fibers through a resin bath before it is wound onto a mandrel and cured.
Pultrusion
Used to manufacture components with continuous lengths and constants cross-sectional shape such as rods, tubes and beams. It is a continuous process that is easily automated and can produce a wide variety of shapes. In this process, Continuous rovings are impregnated with resin before it is pulled through a heated die, which shapes the rovings. A puller is used to pull the whole system at a preset speed and the product is cured in an oven.