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Observation of instabilities in flow front during micro injection molding process
Author(s) -
Kim Sun Kyoung,
Choi SungJu,
Lee KwanHee,
Kim DaeJin,
Yoo YeongEun
Publication year - 2010
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.21679
Subject(s) - microchannel , materials science , merge (version control) , mold , molding (decorative) , instability , composite material , flow (mathematics) , mechanics , mechanical engineering , channel (broadcasting) , engineering drawing , nanotechnology , computer science , engineering , physics , electrical engineering , information retrieval
This work has investigated filling characteristics during injection molding of a thin‐plate with microchannel patterns on it. To conduct molding experiments, an injection mold and mold inserts with microchannel patterns were designed and built. The experiments were conducted for three different channel sizes, and the results are analyzed. An unstable filling flow was observed in microscopic images for the smallest channel size. The front advanced with continuous creation and merge of microballs, which looked like teeth on the gum. We have analyzed this phenomenon and argued that there exists a critical channel width where such instability takes places. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers