Injection Molding with Natural Rubber

Abstract

Abstract Injection moldings with natural rubber compounds having sections varying between 0.16 and 10 cm thick have been prepared. Almost any natural rubber compound can be satisfactorily injection molded. Cure time, and hence cycle time, is highly dependent on injection temperature and the art of injection molding is to inject at the highest possible temperature consistent with freedom from scorch. The injection temperature of natural rubber depends on the injection molding machine variables such as screw speed, screw back pressure and barrel temperature. Injection and mold filling time are dependent on injection pressure and nozzle orifice diameter. Rubber compounding variables influence injection molding behavior. A curing system with a relatively long, safe Mooney scorch time permits a reduction in the cure time of rubber by allowing a high injection temperature. Conventional curing systems are suitable for a wide range of injection moldings but “Efficient Vulcanization ” systems have special advantages in curing thin sections adjacent to thick ones because of their superior reversion resistance. The effects of compound viscosity are described. Extenders are shown to reduce injection temperatures and thus increase cure times. Black and white fillers are examined in their effect on injection temperature, injection time and cure time. Injection molded vulcanizates are similar in mechanical properties and oven aging resistance to vulcanizates prepared by conventional press methods.