A technique for examining the physical properties of polymers as they cool and contract is helping injection molding companies to accurately predict the final properties of the product they are moulding. The measurement technique, developed by National Physical Laboratory (NPL), will help manufacturers to produce high specification components to an extremely high standard much more quickly and accurately.
The technique involves heating a sample of and constantly measuring the volume and temperature of the material as it is cooled in specially developed apparatus. The test equipment measures the cooling process from 420 degrees Celsius to room temperature at rates as rapid as 250 degrees per minute and under high pressures. The data collected using this technique is already helping moulders to predict the shrinkage and warpage of the polymer much more accurately than with previous techniques. This is because the technique more accurately copies the conditions found in real industrial processes.
Companies in the injection molding industry or suppliers to the industry are invited to participate in further work with NPL to help develop the technique.
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