Dip molding involves heating a mold and dipping it into a liquid polymer bath to create a coating layer that can be cured and peeled off. The thickness and texture of the coating can be controlled by adjusting the heat and length of the dip. The process can produce a range of components and textures, including those that perform in extreme environments. Custom molds can be expensive but can be reused for future orders.
Dip molding is a manufacturing process in which a heated mold is lowered into a bath of liquid polymer to attract a coating layer that can be cured and peeled off for a finished part. The properties of plastisol, the polymer bath, can be varied to produce different types of components, ranging from beverage insulators to surgical gloves. The same procedure can also be used for immersion painting, in which case the object to be coated is heated and lowered to allow the plastisol to adhere directly; this can be seen with things like tools with easy-grip handles.
The plastisol bath contains particles of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) suspended in a material known as a plasticizer, so it will be liquid at room temperature. The heat from the mold attracts the plastic and encourages it to set. High heat attracts a thicker layer, as does a longer dip, which allows for more plastic to build up during the dip molding process. By controlling the heat and length of the dip, the company can determine the thickness of the coating.
Early dip molding techniques resulted mainly in hard, glossy coatings. Changes in technology have allowed for a range of textures and looks for different applications. These include plastics that can perform in different environments, such as extreme heat and cold. The process can even produce plastics that behave like more expensive rubber coatings, allowing companies to produce components such as tools with grips that look rubberized.
If a company needs a product with multiple layers, multiple dip molding passes can be used. Thermal insulation, for example, may include several layers and an outer skin to control the finished texture. The greater flexibility of the process makes it more applicable to a wider range of manufacturing processes. Companies that produce dip-molded components can also work on custom designs at customer request, including specialized molds and plastics for particular applications.
The molds used in this process are known as mandrels. They can be generic for the production of items such as surgical gloves or foam insulation, or they can be customized for specific projects where a particular shape is needed. Custom creations can be expensive, but they can be kept in a company library for use in future dip molding orders from that customer. These can be less expensive, because the manufacturer already has the mandrel and only needs to prepare the plastisol bath to produce the desired part for the customer.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
