The objective of this research project was to carry out the investigation of the relationship between processing conditions, micromorphology and mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene homopolymer using conventional and shear controlled orientation injection moulding (SCORIM) techniques by systematically changing carefully controlled processing conditions, mould geometry and compound additives. Both SCORIM and conventional techniques were employed for iPP injection moulding using three moulds of different shapes by varying the processing conditions, including nozzle temperature, mould temperature, injection speed, hold pressure and oscillating patterns of pistons. The results obtained were compared so as to indicate the differences in microstructure and physical properties resulting from the two moulding techniques. A range of analytical methods were employed. Optical transmitted light microscopy was used to reveal the skin-core morphology and preferentially oriented fibrous textures. Transmitted Electron Microscopy represented the enlargement of the fibrous alignment. Micro hardness analysed the hardness and isotropy characteristics by measuring the diagonal lengths of the indentations. Mechanical testing determined Young's modulus, the strength and toughness of the mouldings. X-ray diffraction exhibited the distribution of the cc, 6 and 7 crystalline phases of the iPP mouldings. The WAXS Debye patterns confirmed the existence of the preferred orientation through the thickness of the moulding. Differential Scanning Calorimetry analysed the thermal behaviour from the endothermal and exothermal curves. In the initial stage of the study, the polypropylene was moulded in the form of a standard tensile bar on a conventional Sandretto injection machine in order to obtain the basic characteristics of the polypropylene study material, which could then be used to compare with those properties to be gained using the SCORIM technique. A ring mould was then used in a Negri Bossi twin injection machine to investigate improvements in uniformity of micromorphology and dimensional reproducibility of mouldings made possible by four live-feed injection moulding. Later, a study was carried out on injection moulding of polypropylene by varying processing conditions, including three hold pressures, two mould temperatures and two nozzle temperatures for both conventional and SCORIM injection processes by using a rectangular bar mould in a Demag injection moulding machine. In the finial stage, the study explores the influences of composition, in essence a limited range of nucleating agents, and processing methods, and aspects of the micromorphology, dimensional control and the mechanical properties of polypropylene. Polypropylene, as a sernicrystalline polymer, represents a class of materials in which mechanical properties are strongly influenced by processing conditions and micromorphology.

No / A comprehensive study into the performance of 4 injection molding machines is reported, using identical mold, polymer, and processing conditions. Start-up dynamics and process repeatability were directly compared across machine technologies. One servohydraulic, one proportional hydraulic and two servoelectric machines were used in the study, ranging in age from 14 years to 1 year old at the time of the study. Experiments were carried out at identical set molding conditions for a run of 400 parts and part quality and process parameters monitored. Results showed a significant start up period in each case, correlating strongly to mold temperature. Age of machine proved to be the most significant factor in determining process repeatability; modern machines having significantly lower variation than older ones. Differences between the operating characteristics of hydraulic and electric machines were detected, control of screw position in hydraulic machines being less repeatable, although this had a minor effect on part repeatability. Electric machines were found to use up to 4 times less energy than their hydraulic counterparts and operate more efficiently.

Order was given for the prodiction of 20 000 pieces of fixing washers. In this case was chosen injection moulding technology. Based on the research, a structural design of the mold was prepared together with the drawing documentation. From the range of materials, it was chosen polypropilene MOSTEN GB218, which is suitable for the given produstion. The simulation verified the reliability and quality of production. The parameters of injection moulding were determined by calculations, and the machine J180ADS – 180U was selected base of them. In the economic evaluation, the total costs for the production of the entire series were established on Nc=19626,43€.

Yes / An ultrasound sensor system has been applied to the mould of both the water and gas assisted injection moulding processes. The mould has a cavity wall mounted pressure sensor and instrumentation to monitor the injection moulding machine. Two ultrasound sensors are used to monitor the arrival of the fluid (gas or water) bubble tip through the detection of reflected ultrasound energy from the fluid polymer boundary and the fluid bubble tip velocity through the polymer melt is estimated. The polymer contact with the cavity wall is observed through the reflected ultrasound energy from that boundary. A theoretically based estimation of the residual wall thickness is made using the ultrasound reflection from the fluid (gas or water) polymer boundary whilst the samples are still inside the mould and a good correlation with a physical measurement is observed.

Published Article / This paper discusses the results obtained from studies on the performance of different cooling layouts. The conventional method of cooling makes use of straight-line cooling channels. This simple method of cooling does not possess the capability of uniformly cooling down the part produced. In contrast, conformal cooling is a technique that makes use of cooling channels in an injection moulding tool that closely follows the geometry of the part to be produced. The paper presents some experiences gained in a comparative case study of conventional cooling vs conformal cooling using simulation, followed by an experimental validation and statistical analysis of the results.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Published Article / Titanium has fired the imagination of engineers and designers for decades by its 'ideal' combination of high strength, low density and good corrosion resistance. However, its application has unfortunately been limited to those niche markets where performance is more important than cost, such as in the aerospace, military, medical and off-shore oil drilling fields. Extensive efforts have been and still are being expended on ways to make this metal cheaper. There are promising new processes but these have yet to be demonstrated commercially. Nevertheless, there has been a global surge in interest in titanium over the past decade, and in South Africa the government has recently made this a particular focus for research and development funding. With the increased availability of higher quality titanium powder, metal injection moulding offers an attractive method for producing small, intricate components at a reasonable cost. This paper will present an overview of the metal injection moulding process and discuss the particular challenges related to the use of titanium and titanium alloy powders. The state of the global and local industry and markets will also be reviewed.

No description available.