Method of injection molding a structural foamed thermoplastic article having a uniform swirl-free and indent-free surface
US3940467A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1974 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S264/83
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process for producing a swirl-free, indent-free foamed thermoplastic structural article in which water is utilized as a foaming agent. Water and a melted thermoplastic resin are mixed together in an extruder to form a pressurized foamable mixture. The foamable mixture from the extruder is collected in an accumulator and from there is delivered to a cavity in a mold in a suitable clamping device. The pressure in the cavity is lower than the pressure of the foamable mixture in the accumulator or extruder therefore when the foamable mixture enters the cavity the foaming agent is released and the thermoplastic resin is frothed and expands to completely fill the cavity. The melted foamed thermoplastic resin cools in the mold and solidifies to form a foamed thermoplastic structural article. The quantity of water introduced into the extruder is between about 0.1 weight percent to about 0.5 weight percent of the thermoplastic resin charge in the extruder. To produce a swirl-free foamed thermoplastic structural article the quantity of water introduced into the extruder is between about 0.1 weight percent and about 2.0 weight percent of the thermoplastic resin charge in the extruder.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.