Methods for microcellular injection molding
US8696957B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2010 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/54
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a method of microcellular injection molding, a polymer and a supercritical fluid are processed. A condition of processing the polymer and/or the supercritical fluid is adjusted to control a weight of a plastic part and/or a surface characteristic of a plastic part produced. In another method of producing a plastic part using microcellular injection molding, a polymer is heated and melted and a supercritical fluid is added thereto. The resulting mix is a single-phase polymer-gas solution comprising the polymer and the supercritical fluid. The polymer and/or the supercritical fluid are adjusted to control the weight of the plastic part and/or a surface characteristic of the plastic part. Once adjusted, the melted polymer with the supercritical fluid is injected into a mold. Upon injecting the melted polymer and supercritical fluid, a pressure drop causes the supercritical fluid to nucleate in the melted polymer, thereby causing nucleation of bubbles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.