Shaping methods compression molding

From the compounds, roll-milled at 185°C for 10 minutes, the test specimens were machined into proper size and shape from compression molded sheets. All tests were carried out according to ASTM methods, and the data are presented in Table IX. 

Compression molding is an example of a simple process which does not require expensive equipment but produces cheaply and in simple shapes. Unlike most other processing methods, compression molding does make materials inexpensive through the use of large quantities of fillers. Compression molding applies unidirectional forces usually perpendicular to the material s surface which may thus affect filler orientation. 

CM is the most common method of molding TSs. In this process, material is compressed into the desired shape using a press containing usually a two-part closed mold and is cured with heat and pressure. This process is not generally used with TPs. TM, also called compression-transfer molding is a... 

An important step in the manufacture of any plastic product is the fabrication or the shaping of the article. Most polymers used as plastics when manufactured are prepared in pellet form as they are expelled from the reactor. These are small pieces of material a couple of millimeters in size. This resin can then be heated and shaped by one of several methods. Thermoset materials are usually compression molded, cast, or laminated. Thermoplastic resins can be injection molded, extruded, or blow molded most commonly, with vacuum forming and calendering also used but to a lesser extent. 

Fluorosilicone compounds can be processed by the same methods used for silicone elastomers based on PDMS. They can be milled, calendered, extruded, and molded. A large proportion of fluorosilicone compounds is used in compression molding. Molded parts produced in large series are made by injection molding, and parts with complex shapes are produced by transfer molding. Calendering is used to produce thin sheets and for coating of textiles and other substrates. 

Compression molding is an old and common method of molding thermoset (TS). It now processes TS plastics as well as other plastics such as thermoplastics (TP), elastomers (TS and TP), and natural rubbers (TS). By this method, plastic raw materials are converted into finished products by simply compressing them into the desired shapes... 

Compression molding is the method by which massive (700 kg), cylindrical (billet), rectangular, and sheet shapes of PTFE are produced. The blocks and cylinders can be solid or annular and are by far the heaviest objects produced from any fluoropolymer. The height of a cylinder can exceed 1.5 m. These billets are cut (skived) into wide thin films (<0.5 mm thick) or sheets (7 mm thick). Sheets, blocks, and cylinders are utilized as stock shapes for machining more complex shapes. The same principles are applied to mold any shape. 

This process is an economical press molding method for manufacturing an intermediate number of parts, such as 200 to 2,000. It uses low-pressure, room-temperature curing resins, and inexpensive molds. Cold press is similar to compression molding except that the resin curing action occurs via its own exothermic heat of reaction (after resins are mixed with catalyst, etc.). Pressures are moderate, usually 20 to 50 psi. Thus molds can be made of relatively inexpensive metals, plaster, or reinforced plastics. The edges need not be trimmed. Ribs, bosses, and other fairly complex shapes are not easily produced. Two good mold surfaces are obtained. 

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