PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE SOLIDIFICATION PROCESS OF POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE (PMMA) IN INJECTION MOLDING

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Abstract

Injection molding is a highly efficient process producing precise plastic parts with complex geometries at low cost and with high throughput. This study investigates the effective parameters in the solidification of polymeric parts during injection molding. The research concerns the heat transfer enhancement at the cooling ducts in the master unit die (MUD) and the solidification of molten PMMA filled in the mold cavities. The solidification process of the molten polymer, simulated under various conditions to minimize time. A parameters study includes the effects of convection heat transfer coefficient (CHTC), location of the coolant ducts and thermal conductivity of the mold and thermal block is conducted. The analysis revealed that, although the heat transfer is increased in the coolant ducts, further enhancement of the cooling process beyond a certain point does not result in reducing solidification time any longer, which is attributed to the limited thermal diffusion capacity of the mold and thermal block materials. Also, the solidification improves when the cooling channels are closer to the mold surface. The findings indicate that the thermal conductivity of the thermal block and the location of the cooling ducts have a substantial impact on reducing the solidification time.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition Proceedings Imece

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS