Understanding What Structural Foam Is

By Jaclyn Hurley


Structural foam is a term that is commonly used to refer to thermoplastic injection molding. These are components that have been made from the molding process and which tend to have core that is cellular. A cellular surface is one where the outer surface is usually denser than the accompanying inner layers.

Production will usually involve the combination of different chemicals and substances. When all these chemicals are combined, different items can be obtained as the end products. Common end products include point of sale displays and even business machine housings.

Different methods can be used to produce this type of foam. The common methods that are used in many industries will include; the low pressure process, typical moldings, conventional molding machines and a combination of different mold tools. Each of these methods is unique in each own way and also in the way that it is applied to produce the end result.

When it comes to the low pressure process, different dedicated injection machines will be used. The machines are used to introduce a steady stream of gas in to plastic that has already been melted. The melted plastic is usually found in a molding tool. Once the gas has been introduced, the plastic component will then form based on the shape that had been used.

Conventional molding machines can also be used to produce this kind of plastic. When using such machines, some blowing agents are added in to the materials. Chemical agents that have been dried are mixed with different plastic granules. The heat from the plastic that had been melted will cause the blowing agent to react. This reaction will lead to formation of a plastic.

Large moldings can easily be produced from existing typical moldings. What will happen is that low amounts of pressure will be applied to these items. Once completed, the finished product may have a rough and streaky surface. If the surface is not ideal, filing may be necessary in order to make it smoother.

Mold tools can be made in to lighter grade materials using low cavity pressure fill. The materials will often include items such as cast aluminum and cast steel. Due to this, the costs associated with this process are much cheaper as compared to the other methods.

Components made from this particular process can also be used as replacements for other common materials. Among the materials that can be replaced are wood, fiber glass and even metal. The replacement is often achieved at a reduced cost and at the same time tends to boost productivity.

When compared to injection molding, structural molding is much better. This is because the resulting products are not only thicker, but they also sturdier as compared to the products that are made from the other method. The items can also be recycled meaning that the environment will not be destroyed in any way.

The types of systems used during production are known as front runner systems. These systems are very unique in that they are not only easy to assemble and dismantle, but they can also be manipulated in different ways. A slight adjustment will change the type of flow being experienced. You can therefore use one machine to produce items of different sizes.




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