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The Role of Tool/Sheet Contact in Plug-assisted Thermoforming

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Published/Copyright: June 3, 2013
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International Polymer Processing
From the journal International Polymer Processing Volume 17 Issue 4

Abstract

Plug-assisted thermoforming produces a wide range of polymer products through a combination of deformation by air pressure and contact with tool surfaces. In this paper the role of tool/sheet contact in determining the process output is investigated. A combination of thermoforming, friction and heat transfer tests were carried out on common tool and sheet materials. The results show that the typical friction coefficients for the material combinations are within the range 0.1 to 0.3, but the values rise sharply on approaching thermoforming temperatures. Thermal imaging tests demonstrate that all of the plug materials significantly cool the heated sheet on contact, even over very short periods of time. The temperature of the plug is very important. At low plug temperatures heat transfer effects predominate, whereas at high plug temperatures friction effects predominate. A plug temperature of approximately 100°C balances these effects and creates the most effective material distribution.

* Mail address: P. J. Martin, School of Mech. and Manu. Eng., The Queen's University of Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AH, Northern Ireland
Received: 2002-8-1
Accepted: 2002-8-1
Published Online: 2013-06-03
Published in Print: 2002-12-01

© 2002, Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Editorial
  2. Structure Development in Polyolefin Processing
  3. Screw Extrusion
  4. A New Style Single Screw Extruder with Improved Plastification and Output Power
  5. Visualisation and Analysis of the Flow along the Kneading Block of a Twin-screw Extruder
  6. Resonant and Invariant Advection in Single-Screw Extrusion
  7. Compounding
  8. PP-based Model Compounds as Tools for the Development of High-impact-ethylene-propylene Copolymers
  9. Die Extrusion
  10. Modelling of the Flow in the Distribution Plate of a Spin Pack
  11. Free-radical Reactions and Thermal Effects in PE during Pipe Extrusion
  12. Calendering
  13. Simultaneous Calculation of Roll Deformation and Polymer Flow in the Calendering Process
  14. Fiber and Film
  15. Investigation of Bubble Instabilities in Film Blowing Process
  16. Injection Molding
  17. Flow Visualization of Filling Process during Micro-Injection Molding
  18. Thermoforming
  19. The Role of Tool/Sheet Contact in Plug-assisted Thermoforming
  20. A Comparison of the Axisymmetric and Planar Elongational Viscosities of PE-LD
  21. Pultrusion
  22. Polymer Melt Impregnation of Glass Roving
  23. Reaction Injection Molding
  24. Operational and Design Study of RIM Machines
https://doi.org/10.3139/217.1702

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Editorial
  2. Structure Development in Polyolefin Processing
  3. Screw Extrusion
  4. A New Style Single Screw Extruder with Improved Plastification and Output Power
  5. Visualisation and Analysis of the Flow along the Kneading Block of a Twin-screw Extruder
  6. Resonant and Invariant Advection in Single-Screw Extrusion
  7. Compounding
  8. PP-based Model Compounds as Tools for the Development of High-impact-ethylene-propylene Copolymers
  9. Die Extrusion
  10. Modelling of the Flow in the Distribution Plate of a Spin Pack
  11. Free-radical Reactions and Thermal Effects in PE during Pipe Extrusion
  12. Calendering
  13. Simultaneous Calculation of Roll Deformation and Polymer Flow in the Calendering Process
  14. Fiber and Film
  15. Investigation of Bubble Instabilities in Film Blowing Process
  16. Injection Molding
  17. Flow Visualization of Filling Process during Micro-Injection Molding
  18. Thermoforming
  19. The Role of Tool/Sheet Contact in Plug-assisted Thermoforming
  20. A Comparison of the Axisymmetric and Planar Elongational Viscosities of PE-LD
  21. Pultrusion
  22. Polymer Melt Impregnation of Glass Roving
  23. Reaction Injection Molding
  24. Operational and Design Study of RIM Machines
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