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Simulation of cavity filling and curing in reaction injection molding
Author(s) -
Manzione Louis T.
Publication year - 1981
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.760211809
Subject(s) - materials science , curing (chemistry) , mold , composite material , molding (decorative) , transfer molding , viscosity , thermal , thermodynamics , physics
This report describes a procedure to stimulate the reaction injection molding process. The analysis considers the conversion that occurs during cavity filling with reactive fluids and the subsequent cure in the mold based on initial conditions derived from the filling analysis. Extensive conversion can occur during cavity filling when highly reactive resins are used. High conversion material with attendant high viscosity can be found in the cavity during filling without flow seizure because the conversion is non‐uniform. The overall cycle time can be decreased by promoting conversion during cavity filling as long as flow seizure is avoided. Temperature and conversion profiles during cure in the mold elucidate thermal runaway and its importance in reaction injection molding. The simulation can be used to explore material and process parameter sensitivity, predict the cycle time and the maximum exotherm temperature, and evaluate moldability.