polymer processes

Question 1

what are 8 different types of polymer processes?

Answer 1

line bending
vacuum forming
Thermo forming
rotation moulding
injection moulding
excrusion
blow moulding
calendering

Question 2

how is vacuum forming used and what is it used for?

Answer 2

vacuum forming involves using thermoplastic sheets and MDF moulds, products are created by heating up the polymer to where it is soft enough to be shaped around a mould. once that is done a vacuum pump sucks all of the air out that is left and the polymer is left to cool.

this process is used to create 3D items as well as being used to make numerous amounts of things at once because of its speed.

uses - lightweight trays, coffee cups and yoghurt cups.

Question 3

what is Thermo Forming

Answer 3

thermo froming is a process of heating a thermoplastic sheet to its softening point . the sheet is then stretched acrross a single sided mold and tgen manipulated. after this is done it should cool into the desired shape.

uses - bath, products that need logos imprinted on design

Question 4

what is calendering

Answer 4

calendaring is used in the making of thin polymer sheet and film as stock materials for future production.

is a process for the production of continuous sheet or film by squeezing the melt between a pair of heated counter-rotating rolls.

Question 5

line bending

Answer 5

polymer sheets are placed over a heater bar that allows the polymer to be heated and become flexible so it can be shaped

used in one of or limited batch and is typically used in making shelves or acrylic boxes

Question 6

blow moulding

Answer 6

process begins as softened plastic polymer pellets are heated and formed into a tubular shape. Then, a hole is made in one end of the tube to allow compressed air to pass into the plastic material. Once it is softened and the hole is added, it passes into a specially designed mould and is clamped into place.

used in making bottles

Question 7

rotational moulding

Answer 7

Rotational moulding is a processing method used to produce hollow objects by loading a thermoplastic powder into a mould that is simultaneously rotated into two principal axes. it is used in making large heavy duty thick walled hollow objects.

Question 8

extrusion

Answer 8

Plastics extrusion is a high-volume manufacturing process in which raw plastic is melted and formed into a continuous profile. Extrusion produces items such as pipe/tubing,

Question 9

compression moulding

Answer 9

polymer is squeezed into a preheated mould taking a shape of the mould cavity and performing curing due to heat and pressure applied to the material.

used in making electrical switches and plugs