SCORIM

Shear Controlled Orientation in Injection Moulding (SCORIM)... 

Fig. 4.46 One embodiment of SCORIM where the device (B) for producing shear during solidification, by the action of pistons (D) and (E), is placed between the injection moulding machine barrel (A) and the mould (C) (Courtesy of Brunei University)...

Shear controlled orientation in injection moulding (SCORIM) is based on the progressive application of macroscopic shears at the melt-solid interface during solidification in the moulding of a polymer matrix. 

Fig. 34. Principles of SCORIM multiple live feed injection moulding technology. To impart shear on the melt-solid interface as this progresses from the surface to the centre of the cavity, pistons A and B are operated 180° out of phase...

Medina, E.M.G. (1996) Alignment and management of talc platelets in polypropylene matrix by the application of shear controlled orientation injection moulding (SCORIM) technology. PhD thesis, Brunei University, UK... 

Scorim Process or SP (Cinpres-Scorim), Rheomolding Process or RP (Thermold s), and the Press Alpha Process or PAP (Sumitomo Heavy Industries and Sankyo Chemical Engineering of Japan) processes are examples of this method. The SP multi-live feed molding process where two packing pistons oscillate 180° out of phase and eliminate weld lines, etc. The RP system provides 3-D orientation based on the concept of melt rheology as a function of vibration frequency and amplitude as well as temperature and pressure. The equipment utilizes piston/type melt accumulators set up adjacent to the melt stream of the plasticator. Piston oscillates back and forth. The PAP system uses compression pins that are... 

The SCORIM Process. It is possible to attach the SCORIM unit to the injection molder to manipulate the filling process of the mold so that in the area of the weld lines the resin is mixed [16]. This will improve the structural strength substantially and at the same time the unwanted orientation of metallic pigments is prevented. This process typically requires a 10-15°C higher temperature of the resin and the mold. The process is based on a prolonged flow ability of the polymer. 

The SCORIM unit is placed between the nozzle of the injection molding machine and the mold (Figs. 14.11-14.13).The gates (i.e., the sprues and runners) are located so that all potential weld lines are placed between them from the flow point of view. 

During phase A the main portion of the plasticized polymer is injected into the tool. Only then does the SCORIM unit start its function (Fig. 14.17). 

Shear controlled orientation injection molding (SCORIM) is a novel technique for establishing the alignment of polymer molecules and fiber reinforcements in molded p arts. S olid-state properties, which are highly dependent on molecnlar and additive alignment, can be improved through the use of controlled orientation. 

The SCORIM process employs a unique hardware component that is retrofitted to a conventional injection molding machine. Located between the injection nozzle and the mold, this unit contains a pair of pistons that exert pressure on the melt after it is injected... 

An additional benefit to the SCORIM process is the obliteration of weld lines. Weld lines occur wherever two flow fronts mteet one another. For example, when molding a part that will contain a hole, the mold includes an obstruction around which melt flows. As a result, the flow front splits to travel around the obstruction and then rejoins on the other side, forming a weld line. Weld lines can be problematic for two reasons aesthetics and structural integrity. The presence of a weld... 

Figure 6 (a) Shear controlled orientation injection moulding (SCORIM). (b) Klockner puch-puir injection moulding... 

Modified processing techniques have been useful for thermoplastic starch polymers. Recent work [45, 46] has examined the use of coextruded sheet processing to produce polyester / thermoplastic wheat starch / polyester multilayer films. They found that adhesion strength between the layers and stability of the interface were crucial properties in controlling the final performance properties of the films. Work by Sousa [47] has examined use of the novel shear controlled orientation injection molding (SCORIM) process to control morpholoiges and provide tensile property increases of thermoplastic starch/synthetic blends. 

For the PCL samples, there was no significant increase in crystallinity shown between the two methods (46 and 45%, respectively). The improved mechanical properties may thus be attributed to the shear-induced enhancement of molecular orientation and not crystallinity as was the case of the PLA samples. The improved mechanical properties may thus be associated with SCORIM for both PLA and PCL [37]. 

Scorim process See injection-molding melt-flow oscillation. 

SCORIM shear controlled orientation of re- SIR styrene-isoprene... 

Scorim Moldings British Technology Group tradename Scorim is for the process of creating dynamics to molten plastics inside a mold cavity (or in extrusion from a die) to improve melt flow. Purpose of the... 

Various processes are reported to provide a means to pulsate the melt to improve performance of the extruded product. An example is the Scorim process reviewed in the Injection Molding section in this chapter. A variation in the IM process has been applied to production of reinforced extruded TP pipe. This has been a center of interest, on the argument that a predictable orientation of fiber would considerably increase the pressure resistance of the pipe, without the need to increase wall-thickness (on the analogy of winding a TS resin pipe with continuous filament). The Scorim process combines the extrusion of a fiber-reinforced compound with pressure pulsing around the periphery of the die, which appears to have the effect of orientating the reinforcement. 

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