When it comes to plastic injection molding processes, the need for vigilant temperature control is vital for a perfected final product. Molding conditions are extremely important to molds turning out a product that is high quality and ready to ship to your customers. Learn how temperature is one of the most important conditions for some processes in plastic injection molding and how you can better manage it.

Melting Temperatures Are An Important Aspect Of Plastic Injection Molding

When plastic pellets travel out of a hopper into a machine's injection barrel, it is externally heated. Many machines use cartridge heaters for this heating process. The temperature for each type of plastic polymer melting inside an injection tube determines a great deal about how well it will do once it reaches the machine's molds. If the melting temperatures are too high, the melted plastic may have a viscosity that is too thin. If the melted plastic going into molds is too thin, the final product will be off in appropriate thickness and have an inadequate molecular weight as well.

The type of plastic you use for certain parts determines the temperature necessary melting in injection barrels. For example, some amorphous polymers require higher temperatures for turning out parts that have greater crack and stress resistance. Making certain the cartridge heaters on your injection molding machines are adequately maintained is important for successfully controlling various melting temperatures.

Molding Temperatures Matter To Your Final Product

When melted plastic materials flow through an injection tube and into molds, the temperature needs to be correct for ensuring that the mold set-up is successful. If your temperatures during the melting process are too high, the plastic material will not have enough time to cool as it leaves through injection tips into the molds, thus causing issues like blistering and twisting in mold products upon their ejection. Maintaining your injection molding heaters is an essential aspect of producing plastic products without costly flaws.

If your plastic injection molding processes have been unproductive due to flawed products, checking your heating temperatures is a good idea. In many cases, the replacement of cartridge heaters can solve your product flaws. However, bear in mind the determining heat factors for each type of plastic material you use as well, especially if you are turning out parts with color issues. Some plastics can be molded at the same temperature, but may need to be cooled in various temperatures for producing certain qualities like thickness or stress resistance.