Effects of Processing Parameters on Tensile Strength of Thin-Wall HDPE Parts Injection Molded by Ultra High-Speed Process

Abstract

This study explores how ultra high-speed processing parameters affect the melt flow length and tensile strength of thin-wall injection molded parts. A spiral shaped mold with a specimen thickness of 0.4 mm and a width of 6 mm was first constructed to test the melt flow length as an index of process capability for ultra high-speed injection molding. It was observed that the flow length increases with increasing injection speed. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) tensile test specimens with different thicknesses (0.6 mm and 2 mm) were also molded for tensile tests. Both single gate and double gates were used to form parts without and with weldlines. Injection molding trials were executed by systematically adjusting related parameters setting including mold temperature, melt temperature, and injection speed. The parts’ tensile strengths were measured experimentally. It was found that tensile strengths of 0.6 mm thick parts both with and without weldlines were higher than those of 2 mm thick parts. The tensile strength of 0.6 mm thick specimens increases with increasing mold temperature, melt temperature and injection speed, whereas tensile strength in 2 mm thick specimens was only weakly dependent on the corresponding processing parameters. Furthermore, 0.6 mm thick specimens with weldlines had tensile strengths lowered about 9.6% compared to parts without weldlines. For 2 mm thick part the corresponding reduction is 4.3%.