Efficient Injection Molding of TPE Materials
TPE Injection Molding
Details
Details:
Model
Material
Brand
Origin
Application
Booling-Injection-17
P20, 718, S136, 2738 etc
Booling
China
Automotive parts, industrial parts, medical parts, household
TPE injection molding technology combines the excellent performance of TPE materials with the high efficiency of injection molding technology to produce products with high elasticity and recyclability.
Advantages of TPE Injection Molding：
- Good Processing Performance
- Electrical Insulation Performance
- Low Cost
- Relatively Stable
- Corrosion Resistance
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TPE injection molding has the characteristics of fast production speed, high efficiency, and a high degree of automation, and is suitable for producing various complex TPE products. The main principle of this plastic injection molding process is to heat TPE material to a molten state and inject it into the mold. After cooling and solidification, the desired product is formed.
TPE injection molding is widely used in the production of wire and cable sheaths, seals, pipe joints, and other products. By using TPE injection molding technology, products with greater elasticity, weather resistance, and chemical resistance can be obtained, which can be widely applied to a variety of products.
Advantages of TPE Injection Molding
The production speed of TPE injection molding is fast, the degree of automation is high, and the products produced have precise dimensions, which can meet diverse market demands.
When TPE is molded, injection molding technology is used, which can simplify the processing flow, save processing energy and equipment resources, shorten the processing cycle, reduce production costs, and improve work efficiency;
TPE is a thermoplastic raw material, so the scraps, residues, and waste produced during injection molding can be completely recycled and reused without changing its performance, reducing waste and recovering some costs;
TPE raw materials are more suitable for various processes such as injection molding, extrusion molding, hot melt, and dissolution coating;
TPE injection molded products have high dimensional accuracy and easier quality control; The specific gravity of the material is low and adjustable;
The equipment and process for TPE injection molding are simple, saving production space, reducing the rate of non-conforming products, and effectively improving the manufacturing efficiency and quality of products;
During TPE injection molding, the entire production process and raw materials will not produce toxic and irritating gases, and there is no harm to the environment, equipment, and personnel;
The raw materials for TPE injection molding have characteristics similar to traditional vulcanized rubber without the need for vulcanization, saving auxiliary materials such as vulcanizing agents and accelerators;
TPE material can be mixed with various plastics such as PP and ABS to directly produce special plastic alloys for higher quality production;
During injection molding, TPE material can be reused and corner waste can be recycled. It can be said that there are no recyclable waste materials in production;
During the molding process, there are relatively few processing aids and additives added, which can be directly put into use, greatly saving the cost of product quality control and testing.
Application of TPE Injection Molding
The advantages of TPE injection molding technology are prominent, and its applications are naturally very extensive, such as:
Automotive Industry: TPE materials, also known as thermoplastic elastomers, have excellent elasticity and flexibility. In the automotive industry, TPE products formed by injection molding are widely used in the manufacturing of automotive rubber tubes, seals, body decorations, and other products that cannot be formed from ordinary nonelastic plastics.
Medical Devices: TPE materials have good biocompatibility and chemical corrosion resistance, and are widely used in the manufacturing of surgical instruments, artificial organs, and other medical devices.
Home Appliances and Electronics: TPE materials have good sealing and insulation properties, and TPE injection molding can be used for the manufacturing of electronic accessories, wires and cables, packaging materials, and other products.
Sports Equipment: TPE material has softness and resilience, making it an ideal material for manufacturing sports shoes, sports equipment, and more.
Key Points to Note for TPE Injection Molding
As a thermoplastic elastomer, the main points to note during injection molding of TPE are:
- Ensure Good Dryness
During injection molding, TPE materials must be dried for a certain period before processing, and the moisture content must be measured. Only after the moisture content meets the standard can they be put into use. At high temperatures, the moisture content of TPE materials is required to be less than 5%, or even 2% -3%. Therefore, manufacturers generally use a vacuum drying oven to dry the materials at a temperature of 75 ℃ -90 ℃ for at least 2-3 hours. The dried TPE material must be properly sealed or stored in a dry and ventilated environment to prevent absorption of moisture from the air, loss of drying effect, and extension of processing progress. The drying chamber hopper can continuously provide hot material for the injection molding machine, which is beneficial for simplifying operation, keeping the tabletop of the injection molding machine clean, and improving quality and injection efficiency. In addition, the loading capacity of the drying hopper is generally 2.5 times the loading capacity of the injection molding machine per hour.
- Cylinder Cleaning
Before the first use of a TPE injection molding machine, or when the product, raw materials, and color need to be changed, or when the raw materials processed in plastic produce decomposition substances, the cylinder of the injection molding machine must be cleaned first. When cleaning, the manufacturer uses the method of heating the cylinder.
Principles for Selecting Cleaning Materials: PE or EVA materials are recommended for cleaning buckets with lower hardness, while PP materials are recommended for TPE cleaning buckets with SEBS substrates with higher hardness; PS material is recommended for SBR cleaning buckets made of SBS substrate.
- Typical Temperature Settings
In TPE injection molding, the manufacturer’s temperature setting and control have a significant impact on the appearance and performance of the product. The closer the temperature is to the nozzle, the closer it is to the melt temperature. To prevent blockage at the feeding point and the escape of entrained air, the temperature at the feeding point should not be too high. So, the temperature range of TPE injection molding equipment is different, with the cylinder temperature ranging from 160 ℃ to 210 ℃ and the nozzle temperature ranging from 180 ℃ to 230 ℃.
In addition, the temperature of the mold should be much higher than the condensation temperature in the injection molding area. The main purpose of doing so is to prevent some moisture from contaminating the mold, causing various stripes on the surface of TPE products and appearance defects in the parts. The high temperature of injection molds often prolongs the welding synthesis cycle but can improve the appearance of defects of welds and products. Therefore, manufacturers should set the temperature of the mold between 30 ℃ and 40 ℃.
There are many key points in the TPE injection molding process, especially for some critical steps, which can largely determine the appearance and performance of the final product.
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