Prototype System to Study the Effect of Weld Lines on the Performance of Extruded Profiles

O. S. Carneiro; A. R. Mota; Y. Sitotaw; J. M. Nóbrega

doi:10.3139/217.3200

Article

Prototype System to Study the Effect of Weld Lines on the Performance of Extruded Profiles

O. S. Carneiro , A. R. Mota , Y. Sitotaw and J. M. Nóbrega

Published/Copyright: May 10, 2016

Published by

Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Submit Manuscript Author Information

From the journal International Polymer Processing Volume 31 Issue 2

Abstract

In several thermoplastic extrusion based processes the melt flow has to be divided into independent streams that are merged before the flow channel outlet. This promotes the formation of weld lines, usually related to mechanical weak zones and aesthetic imperfections. There is a large amount of scientific publications related to weld lines formed in other processing techniques, e. g. injection molding. However, studies related to extrusion are scarce. This work presents the conception of a new prototype system that allows performing systematic studies aiming a better understanding of the effect of weld lines in extrusion. A case study illustrates the employment of the developed device to study the effect of several process parameters (e. g. spider leg location, processing temperature and flow rate) on the mechanical performance of the extruded profiles.

*Correspondence address, Mail address: Olga S. Carneiro, IPC/i3N – Institute for Polymers and Composites, Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal, E-mail: olgasc@dep.uminho.pt

References

Carneiro, O. S., Nóbrega, J. M., Oliveira, P. J. and Pinho, F. T., “Flow Balancing in Extrusion Dies for Thermoplastic Profiles. Part II: Influence of the Design Strategy”, Polym. Proc., 18, 307–312 (2003) 10.3139/217.1746Search in Google Scholar

Carneiro, O. S., Nóbrega, J. M. and Mota, A. R., Portuguese patent pending107670 (2014)Search in Google Scholar

Chang, T. C., Faison III, E., “Optimization of Weld Line Quality in Injection Molding Using an Experimental Design Approach”, The J. Inj. Moulding Tech., 3, 61–66 (1999)Search in Google Scholar

Hashemi, S., “Thermal Effects on Weld and Unweld Tensile Properties of Injection Moulded Short Glass Fibre Reinforced ABS Composites”, eXPRESS Polym. Lett., 1, 688–697 (2007) 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2007.93Search in Google Scholar

Huang, Y., Prentice, P., “Experimental Study and Computer Simulation of the Effect of Spider Shape on the Weld Lines in Extruded Plastic Pipes”, Polym. Eng. Sci., 38, 1506–1522 (1998) 10.1002/pen.10321Search in Google Scholar

Jariyatammanukul, P., Paecheroenchai, N., Pomkajohn, P. and Patcharaphun, S., “Effect of Thickness on Weld Line Strength of Injection Molded Thermoplastic Composites”, Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.), 43, 418–426 (2009)Search in Google Scholar

Kazmer, D. O., “Injection Mold Design Engineering”, Hanser, Bad Langensalza, Germany (2012)Search in Google Scholar

Mielewski, D. F., Bauer, D. R., Schmitz, P. J. and van Oene, H., “Weld Line Morphology of Injection Molded Polypropylene”, Polym. Eng. Sci., 38, 2020–2028 (1998) 10.1002/pen.10371Search in Google Scholar

Nóbrega, J. M., Carneiro, O. S., Pinho, F. T. and Oliveira, P. J., “Flow Balancing in Extrusion Dies for Thermoplastic Profiles. Part III: Experimental Assessment”, Int. Polym. Proc., 19, 225–235 (2004) 10.3139/217.1825Search in Google Scholar

Wu, C.-H., Liang, W.-J., “Effects of Geometry and Injection-Molding Parameters on Weld-Line Strength”, Polym. Eng. Sci., 45, 1021–1030 (2005) 10.1002/pen.20369Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2015-11-02

Accepted: 2016-01-14

Published Online: 2016-05-10

Published in Print: 2016-05-29

You are currently not able to access this content.

Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.3139/217.3200