15-Polymer Processes Flashcards
1
Q
Polymer Processes - Vacuum Forming
A
- Thermoplastic sheet stock form
- Heating a plastic sheet until soft and then draping it over a mould. A vacuum is applied sucking the sheet into the mould. The sheet is then ejected from the mould.
2
Q
Polymer Processes - Thermoforming
A
- Thermoplastic sheet stock form
- Like Vacuum forming but an additional mould is pressed onto the surface of the polymer
3
Q
Polymer Processes - Line Bending
A
- Provides heat in a straight line so the polymer can be bent
- Used mainly in schools for one off production
4
Q
Polymer Processes -Calendering
A
- Heated rollers continuously squash and stretch polymers to make them thinner
5
Q
Polymer Processes - Lamination
A
- The bonding of two or more layers of materials using heat, pressure and an adhesive.
- Requires a former to mould around
6
Q
Polymer Processes - Injection Moulding
A
- Thermoplastic granules travel from the hopper to the archimedian screw.
- The granules are melted here and pushed by the screw into a mould
- Used in industrial settings
7
Q
Polymer Processes - Blow Moulding
A
- A parison (tube) of polymer is placed within a mould
The parison is then blown into so the polymer tube will expand to the walls of the mould - Used to create hollow, thin walled components
8
Q
Polymer Processes - Rotational Moulding
A
- Polymer powder/granules are placed into a mould
- The mould is then heated to melt the polymer and rotated
- This spreads a layer of the polymer all around the mould creating a seamless hollow component
9
Q
Polymer Processes - Extrusion
A
- Similar to injection moulding however instead of the molten polymer being pushed into a mould it is pushed through a die and carried out on a conveyor belt in order to produce extended lengths of polymer
10
Q
Polymer Processes - Compression Moulding
A
- Preheated polymer known as a ‘slug’ is placed into the lower mould
- A compressive hydraulic press will then be lowered onto the ‘slug’ to form the polymer to the shape of the mould.
- Both halves of the mould are heated throughout the process and the polymer is removed while still warm