Characterization of thermo-rheological behavior of polymer melts during the micro injection moulding process

In-line process monitoring and rheological characterization can help to understand the behaviour of polymer melt flows during manufacture and to make injection moulding a measurable process for manufacturing high quality parts. This work developed an in-line rheology measurement system using a slit die attached to a micro injection moulding machine. A series of dumbbell mould inserts was used to form the slit die with thickness ranging from 600 mu m to 200 mu m. Two combined pressure and temperature sensors were embedded into the slit die to measure the pressure drop. Based on the slit flow model, it was found that the viscosity of Pebax melts depends on the slit thickness in the actual injection moulding process. The competing effects of wall slip and non-isothermal conditions will determine the melt viscosity. The plastication induced thermo-mechanical history can also influence polymer viscosity, although it is neglected in conventional rheology measurements. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.