TY - JOUR
T1 - Microcellular injection molding of polymers
T2 - a review of process know-how, emerging technologies, and future directions
AU - Jiang, Jing
AU - Li, Zihui
AU - Yang, Huaguang
AU - Wang, Xiaofeng
AU - Li, Qian
AU - Turng, Lih Sheng
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2021/9
Y1 - 2021/9
N2 - Microcellular injection molding (MIM) is a fast-growing technology with high potential to become an innovative and green manufacturing platform for fabrication of porous, polymer-based products. In this review article, the process know-how of MIM in terms of blowing agent and cell structures is discussed first. Then, some emerging and complementary processing technologies that incorporate MIM are introduced. The technologies presented here include core-back foaming, supercritical fluid-laden pellet injection molding foaming technology (SIFT), subcritical gas assisted processing (SGAP), and the in-situ fibrillation process. By employing a special mold design and novel processing steps, gas-laden pellet extrusion, alternate and cost-effective gas sources, and/or in-situ fibrillation, these technologies aim to improve the performances and quality of the resulting foamed parts. Finally, the current challenges along with future directions of MIM, such as surface quality improvement, nano-cellular structures, and accurate simulations, are presented.
AB - Microcellular injection molding (MIM) is a fast-growing technology with high potential to become an innovative and green manufacturing platform for fabrication of porous, polymer-based products. In this review article, the process know-how of MIM in terms of blowing agent and cell structures is discussed first. Then, some emerging and complementary processing technologies that incorporate MIM are introduced. The technologies presented here include core-back foaming, supercritical fluid-laden pellet injection molding foaming technology (SIFT), subcritical gas assisted processing (SGAP), and the in-situ fibrillation process. By employing a special mold design and novel processing steps, gas-laden pellet extrusion, alternate and cost-effective gas sources, and/or in-situ fibrillation, these technologies aim to improve the performances and quality of the resulting foamed parts. Finally, the current challenges along with future directions of MIM, such as surface quality improvement, nano-cellular structures, and accurate simulations, are presented.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85108641568&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.coche.2021.100694
DO - 10.1016/j.coche.2021.100694
M3 - 文献综述
AN - SCOPUS:85108641568
SN - 2211-3398
VL - 33
JO - Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering
JF - Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering
M1 - 100694
ER -