The Microcellular Structure of Injection Molded Thick-Walled Parts as Observed by In-Line Monitoring
The aim of the study was to detect the influence of nitrogen pressure on the rheological properties and structure of PA66 GF30 thick-walled parts, produced by means of microcellular injection molding (MIM), using the MuCell<sup>®</sup> technology. The process was monitored in-line with p...
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MDPI AG
2020-11-01
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| Series: | Materials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/23/5464 |
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| author | Dariusz Sykutera Piotr Czyżewski Piotr Szewczykowski |
| author_facet | Dariusz Sykutera Piotr Czyżewski Piotr Szewczykowski |
| author_sort | Dariusz Sykutera |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of the study was to detect the influence of nitrogen pressure on the rheological properties and structure of PA66 GF30 thick-walled parts, produced by means of microcellular injection molding (MIM), using the MuCell<sup>®</sup> technology. The process was monitored in-line with pressure and temperature sensors assembled in the original injection mold. The measured data was subsequently used to evaluate rheological properties inside an 8.4 mm depth mold cavity. The analysis of the microcellular structure was related to the monitored in-line pressure and temperature changes during the injection process cycle. A four-times reduction of the maximum filling pressure in the mold cavity for MIM was found. At the same time, the holding pressure was taken over by expanding cells. The gradient effect of the cells distribution and the fiber arrangement in the flow direction were observed. A slight influence of nitrogen pressure on the cells size was found. Cells with a diameter lower than 20 µm dominate in the analyzed cases. An effect of reduction of the average cells size in the function of distance to the gate was observed. The creation of structure gradient and changes of cells dimensions were evaluated by SEM images and confirmed with the micro CT analysis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:25:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2a1d9f7993e74eebaf2ccd2ea699c7ab |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1944 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:25:01Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Materials |
| spelling | doaj.art-2a1d9f7993e74eebaf2ccd2ea699c7ab2023-11-20T23:02:48ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442020-11-011323546410.3390/ma13235464The Microcellular Structure of Injection Molded Thick-Walled Parts as Observed by In-Line MonitoringDariusz Sykutera0Piotr Czyżewski1Piotr Szewczykowski2Department of Manufacturing Techniques, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UTP University of Science and Technology, Kaliskiego 7, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Manufacturing Techniques, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UTP University of Science and Technology, Kaliskiego 7, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Manufacturing Techniques, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UTP University of Science and Technology, Kaliskiego 7, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, PolandThe aim of the study was to detect the influence of nitrogen pressure on the rheological properties and structure of PA66 GF30 thick-walled parts, produced by means of microcellular injection molding (MIM), using the MuCell<sup>®</sup> technology. The process was monitored in-line with pressure and temperature sensors assembled in the original injection mold. The measured data was subsequently used to evaluate rheological properties inside an 8.4 mm depth mold cavity. The analysis of the microcellular structure was related to the monitored in-line pressure and temperature changes during the injection process cycle. A four-times reduction of the maximum filling pressure in the mold cavity for MIM was found. At the same time, the holding pressure was taken over by expanding cells. The gradient effect of the cells distribution and the fiber arrangement in the flow direction were observed. A slight influence of nitrogen pressure on the cells size was found. Cells with a diameter lower than 20 µm dominate in the analyzed cases. An effect of reduction of the average cells size in the function of distance to the gate was observed. The creation of structure gradient and changes of cells dimensions were evaluated by SEM images and confirmed with the micro CT analysis.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/23/5464microcellular injection moldingMuCell<sup>®</sup> technologypressure sensorPriamus systemin-line monitoringspecial mold cavity |
| spellingShingle | Dariusz Sykutera Piotr Czyżewski Piotr Szewczykowski The Microcellular Structure of Injection Molded Thick-Walled Parts as Observed by In-Line Monitoring Materials microcellular injection molding MuCell<sup>®</sup> technology pressure sensor Priamus system in-line monitoring special mold cavity |
| title | The Microcellular Structure of Injection Molded Thick-Walled Parts as Observed by In-Line Monitoring |
| title_full | The Microcellular Structure of Injection Molded Thick-Walled Parts as Observed by In-Line Monitoring |
| title_fullStr | The Microcellular Structure of Injection Molded Thick-Walled Parts as Observed by In-Line Monitoring |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Microcellular Structure of Injection Molded Thick-Walled Parts as Observed by In-Line Monitoring |
| title_short | The Microcellular Structure of Injection Molded Thick-Walled Parts as Observed by In-Line Monitoring |
| title_sort | microcellular structure of injection molded thick walled parts as observed by in line monitoring |
| topic | microcellular injection molding MuCell<sup>®</sup> technology pressure sensor Priamus system in-line monitoring special mold cavity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/23/5464 |
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