Compression molding uses a mold to produce goods by compressing preheated materials, such as plastic compounds, rubber, and metal alloys. The process allows for efficient use of expensive compounds and the ability to produce complex products. It is commonly used in the automotive industry and has advantages such as reducing resource costs.
Compression molding is the manufacturing process using a mold to produce goods. The mold has two parts which form the complete shape of the product when closed. The materials, usually preheated, are placed on one of the moulds. The two halves are then compressed to distribute the material around them. The high pressure of the squeeze distributes the material evenly around the mold cavity.
Heating the material allows it to fit the mold better. The molds can also be heated to prevent the material from cooling too quickly. After the molds have been pressed, they are left to harden. The curing process ensures that the material does not change shape when removed from the mold. This process can usually take anywhere from several hours to days, depending on the materials used.
The materials generally used for compression molding consist of plastic compounds, rubber and metal alloys. Compression molding plastics are commonly made from vinyl or polyester compounds. Prior to molding, they are usually in the form of a pellet, paste, or sheet for ease of handling. Additives and fillers can be added to the compound to reduce cost and prevent shrinkage after the molding process.
Compounds that can withstand high temperatures are sometimes used for rubber compression molding. A relatively smooth surface is one of the advantages of this type of stamping. This is ideal for making products that need to fit snugly, such as rubber stoppers.
The automotive industry uses compression molding extensively to produce automobile parts. Metal alloys are molded to produce car fenders and hoods that have relatively simple shapes. Many other products are made using this process, including plastic cases, electrical equipment, and children’s toys.
There are several benefits to using compression molding. The material is commonly in a soft solid state when placed on the mold, so the manufacturer can more accurately determine the amount of material inside the compression molding machine. Expensive compounds are used more efficiently through this process. Excess materials – called flashes – are the result of material overflowing the mold. They can be recycled by heating them and adding them back to the process; this saves the manufacturer’s resource costs.
Another benefit of compression molding is the ability to produce more complex products. The high pressure of the compression forces the material to follow the mold to its exact design. This is best for small, precise tools, such as electronic gadgets.
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