Processing Techniques of Thermoplastic Composite Material
Thermoplastic composite material (TPCM) is a polymeric matrix material combined with a variety of reinforcing materials, such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, etc., in order to obtain certain mechanical properties. TPCM has the advantages of good processability and can be processed by a variety of processes such as injection molding, compression molding, extrusion molding and thermoforming. This article will focus on the processing techniques of thermoplastic composite material.
Injection molding is the most widely used process for TPCM due to its high product precision, short molding cycle, and wide range of material applications. However, due to the complexity of the injection molding process, it is difficult to control the high temperature and pressure during the injection molding process. In addition, the selection of suitable molding parameters is also a challenge for injection molding.
Compression molding is a commonly used process for thermoplastic composite materials. The process is usually done by using two molds to compress the composite material at a high pressure and high temperature. The process parameters used for compression molding include mold temperature, forming pressure, compaction time and cooling rate.
Extrusion molding is a process commonly used for thermoplastic composite materials. The thermoplastic composite is first heated to a molten state, and then forced through a die to form products with a certain uniform shape. The process also has good repeatability and is easy to control.
Thermoforming is a process for the production of molded parts with thin walls and complex shapes. During the thermoforming process, the thermoplastic composite is heated to a semi-plastic state and then placed onto a mold. The mold is then pressurized to form the material into the desired shape. This process is usually done by using either a vacuum or pressure molding machine. The process is known for its excellent product surface quality and dimensional accuracy.
In conclusion, the various processing techniques for thermoplastic composite material have their own advantages and disadvantages. The processing process should be carefully selected depending on the properties required by the components. Injection molding is typically used for the production of high-precision components with complex shapes, while compression molding is used when high strength and stiffness are required. Extrusion molding is suitable for producing components with uniform cross-section and size, while thermoforming is suitable for producing components with thin walls and complex shapes.
