Know-How

Testing

Melt Flow Rate Testing—Part 5

There are two points in the manufacturing supply chain where a determination of average molecular weight (MW) is important. The first is when the material is first received by the molder. The second is after molding.

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Regrind and Melt Pumps

Changing levels of regrind can result in unstable output. If not set up properly, a melt pump can add to this instability鈥攖he opposite of the intended effect.

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Testing

Melt Flow Rate Testing—Part 4

Few molders perform the test in-house. Of those that do, most don't understand why they are doing it or what they are measuring.

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Extrusion

‘General Purpose’ = No Purpose

Such screws have no value in extrusion operations.

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Don’t Forget the Cold Slug Well

Its primary function鈥攁s the name suggests鈥攊s to act as a trap, or 鈥渨ell,鈥 for the cold slug.

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Materials

Melt Flow Rate Testing—Part 3

There is a well-established relationship between something called the weight-average molecular weight of a polymer and a parameter known as the zero-shear viscosity.

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Blow Molding

Your Machine is Built…Now What?

Here is what you need to do to get ready for the installation of your new accumulator head machine.

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Extrusion

The Scale-Up Conundrum

There are many methods used to determine scale-up based on output, but most designers do not scale the melting requirement along with the output.

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‘Auto Compensate’ Your Press To Handle Viscosity Variations

Here's how to put your injection molding machine on cruise control to make consistently good parts even in the face of material viscosity variations.

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Materials

Melt Flow Rate Testing – Part 2

To fully appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of the melt-flow-rate (MFR) test it is important to know something about the way the test is performed.

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Plastics Size Reduction