POLYMERS

MOULDING OF PLASTICS

THEORY

Fabrication / Moulding of Plastics

The fabrication is the process in which the prepared resins in the
form of granules of powder are converted into desired shape by
using various machines or moulds.
There are many ways by which the compound materials at
transformed into finished articles.
The basic principle involved in this is partially melting resigns
mass by the application of heat and then further compressed in
dies / mould with the help of high pressure to get desired shape.
The following methods for fabrication are in practice :

(1) Compression moulding :

Guide pins

Pressure
Top moulding part
(male die)
Bottom moulding part
(female die)

Extraction pin
Moulding plastic
ingredients in cavity

Compression moulding of plastics

It is the most common method for moulding there setting

materials which can with stand high temp and press.
Resin powder is preheated to about 1200C and pressure
from 2.000 to 10.000 psi are used.
e.g. Ash trays, electric switch bores to radio, T.V. cabinets
etc.

POLYMERS

MOULDING OF PLASTICS

THEORY

(2) Injection moulding :

Top moulding part (cold)
Plastic
feed

Nozzle Moulding

Hopper

Archimedain
screw

Hopper

Fluidized
plastic

Hinge

Extraction pin

Bottom moulding part (cold)

Injection moulding of plastics

It is one of the most widely used processes for moulding

thermoplastic materials.
Resin powder is injected under pressure 1758 Kg. / cm. 2 and
temp is about 1000C.

POLYMERS

MOULDING OF PLASTICS

THEORY

(3) Transfer moulding :

Plunger
Moulding power
in plastic state

Prc-heater

Orifice

Liquid plastic
undergoing curve

Upper part of mould

Hing
Lower part of mould

Trasnfer moulding of plastics

It is method uses the principle of injection moulding and is

used for thermo setting materials.
Powdered resins are placed in a heated chamber,
maintained at a minimum temp, at which it just begin to
become plastic. This plastic material is then injected through
an orifice into the mould by plunger working at a high
pressure.

POLYMERS

MOULDING OF PLASTICS

THEORY

(4) Extrusion moulding :

Plastic feed
Metallic wire

Plastic

Hopper

Screw coveyer

Heater
Plastic coated cable

Moulding of insulted electric cable

by extrusion moulding vertical

Extruded
tube

Cold part
of die

Plastic feed
Hopper

Die

Conveyor belt

Moulding of tube by horizontal extrusion moulding

It is mainly used for manufacturing continuous moulding

articles of thermoplastic resins.
e.g. tubes, rods, strips, pipes, insulated electric cable, etc.