Saturday, February 1, 2014

Understanding The Idea Behind Structural Foam Molding

By Serena Price


In recent times, the use of metal components in the manufacturing of strong materials for the automotive industries to home appliances has proved unfeasible. This is in relation to the cost of inputs and amount of labor needed for designs creations. What was needed was a low cost technology that required cheap inputs, for example polymers, to manufacture strong materials. The best of these technologies, that would best fit this description, is structural foam molding.

This technology produces very strong plastic materials that have less weight than their equivalent inputs. In stark contrast to their strength, its internal parts have a sponge like appearance. They do not have a compact mass internally and this is because of the minimal pressure used in its manufacturing. It constitutes a simple process of exposing molten base resins with nitrogen in an enclosed low pressure chamber.

The vital element in the process is the low pressure. This allows the top surface cells to break thereby forming skins that make the final product have strong walls. The cells break exactly when the resin flows into the molding cavity. Next in importance is the foaming part, which occurs before the above stage. The foams, which are created by the chemical blowing agent, are important because they give the plastics their light density property.

An intriguing idea related to this method is the possibility that literally all abstract shapes can be produced. This is conceivable concept because molten plastic can take any desired shape. The procedure usually advocates the use of aluminum molds because they are easily malleable and are good conductors of heat.

Products from this technique are used in various industries. It is greatly applied in the oil and gas industry where fluctuating surroundings necessitates the need for reliable utility products and support structures. It is not easily corroded hence is suited for long storage periods of huge volumes of chemicals.

The process altogether offers several advantages over other polymer molding methods. It yields products that are huge and stronger. The amounts of pressure applied yields parts that are technically correct with slight warpage . They also are thicker and sturdier than the rest. The production cycle is faster because of the use of aluminum molds, which transfers temperature fast. The low temperature also makes it possible for waste plastic to be used. The parts also are recyclable thereby making it cost effective.

The process itself has advantages over other plastic molding techniques. One, by making use of lower pressure it proves to be a low cost method. This is because its pressure requirements are best suited for adapting recycled plastic for use. Its inputs are cheaper all way round as structural foam plastic are definitely recyclable too. Less pressure maintenance also makes the initial setup cost to be low.

Structural foam molding exists in tandem with a host of other technologies that can enhance its effectiveness. It increasingly proves that it will reach every part of the economy . What is needed is for researchers to determine how it will do that.




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