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Interface evolution and penetration behavior during two‐component transfer molding. Part II: Simulation and experiment
Author(s) -
Li C. T.,
Isayev A. I.,
Warley R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.20063
Subject(s) - materials science , rheology , composite material , penetration (warfare) , volume fraction , isothermal process , natural rubber , transfer molding , molding (decorative) , viscosity , core (optical fiber) , mold , thermodynamics , physics , operations research , engineering
Simulation and experimental study of the pressure‐controlled sequential sandwich transfer molding of two SBR rubber compounds under isothermal condition have been carried out to obtain a two‐layered sandwich structure. One SBR compound, which is intended for the skin material, is first laid up in the cavity. Then, another SBR compound, intended for the core material, is transferred to penetrate into the skin material and to push the lay‐up to fully fill the cavity, resulting in an encapsulated skin/core sandwich structure. Two cases involving different material combinations with different viscosity ratios have been studied. The rheological interaction of the skin/core components and its effect on the penetration behavior and interface shape have been investigated. The influence of processing conditions, such as the volume fraction transferred and pressure, is discussed. The penetration and encapsulation behavior, and the interface development are found to be significantly affected by the rheological properties of the compounds and the volume fraction transferred. However, at a constant volume fraction transferred, the pressure imposed during transfer molding is found to have a little effect on the interface development. These experimental findings are in good agreement with the present predictions based on the model and simulation proposed in Part I of this study. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:697–713, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.