Improved injection molding of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene using supercritical nitrogen

Galip Yilmaz, Thomas Ellingham, Lih Sheng Turng

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) was injection molded using a microcellular injection molding (MIM) process to introduce supercritical nitrogen (SC-N2) into the melt to decrease the viscosity of the polymer and improve processability while reducing degradation. Solid and foamed parts were produced. Rheological tests indicated that a viscosity reduction during processing decreased the material's tendency to degrade during injection molding. Although the SC-N2 processing did not improve the tensile strength of the molded parts, it significantly improved the processability of UHMW-PE via injection molding. Micro-computed tomography (μCT) images illustrated the internal structures of the parts and revealed sink marks in the solid formed SC-N2 processed samples, even when packing pressure was applied.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication75th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Plastics Engineers, SPE ANTEC Anaheim 2017
PublisherSociety of Plastics Engineers
Pages1496-1501
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9780878493609
ISBN (Print)978-0-692-88309-9
StatePublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes
Event75th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Plastics Engineers, SPE ANTEC Anaheim 2017 - Anaheim, United States
Duration: 08 05 201710 05 2017

Publication series

NameAnnual Technical Conference - ANTEC, Conference Proceedings
Volume2017-May

Conference

Conference75th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Plastics Engineers, SPE ANTEC Anaheim 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnaheim
Period08/05/1710/05/17

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Improved injection molding of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene using supercritical nitrogen'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this