The effect of temperature dependent thermal properties on process parameter prediction in injection molding

The effect of using temperature dependent thermal conductivity and specific heat data on the simulation of injection molding process is examined. Results of the simulation based on temperature dependent thermal conductivity and specific heat data, are compared with those based on constant thermal conductivity and specific heat. These results are presented for a representative selection of crystalline and amorphous thermoplastics. The results show that the prediction of cooling time and the frozen layer fraction of the part thickness in the context of injection molding simulation, is significantly influenced by the type of temperature dependent thermal data used. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.