The microstructural features of three different materials have been quantified by means of 2D image analysis and X-ray micro-computer tomography (CT) and the results were compared to determine the reliability of the 2D analysis in the material characterization. The 3D quantification of shrinkage pores and Fe-rich inclusions of an Al-Si-Cu alloy by X-ray tomography was compared with the statistical analysis of the 2D metallographic pictures and a significant difference in the results was found due to the complex ...

For processing thermally curing liquid silicone rubber (LSR) as well as UV light curing LSR for multicompo-nent injection molding with thermoplastics in an compa-rable way a processing center was designed and set into operation. For the production of the multicomponent specimens a modular tool was designed. In there a thermoplastic plate gets molded on the one side, then gets transferred auto-matically by a robot system and gets overmolded by the silicone on the other side. The complete silicone side of the tool is ...

This study investigates the adhesion properties of polycarbonate (PC) and liquid silicone rubbers (LSR) through surface activation using ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation. While self-adhesive LSRs adhere easily to certain thermoplastic composites such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyamides (PAs), bonding to PC typically requires surface treatment due to the lack of compatible functional groups. Previous methods like plasma or flame treatment have been effective, but the use of UVC radiation for surface ...

Injection molding is a widespread manufacturing process for producing complex plastic shapes. The process is controlled by a large number of parameters, which show interactions with each other. Thereby the determination of an optimal operating point during sampling is a resource-consuming and demanding task. The data, which is generated during sampling, is usually not used for subsequent sampling processes. In the context of Industry 4.0, manufacturing companies attempt to optimize production efficiency to save time ...

One possible way to increase the use of bioplastics and thus contribute to a more resource-efficient and sustainable economy is to broaden the application range of such bioplastics. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a promising and commercially available bio-based and biologically degradable polymer, which exhibits a high strength and stiffness but is very brittle. Blending with other polymers can lead to an enhancement of the ductility of the PLA. The goal of this work was to show that blending of PLA with a bio-based ...

Silicone elastomers are high-performance plastics. In the extrusion process, only high-consistency silicone rubbers were used. In order to reduce the cost and weight, silicone rubbers can be foamed during processing. In this study, high-consistency silicone rubber is processed with different physical and chemical blowing agents. The resulting reaction kinetics, as well as the mechanical and morphological properties, had been investigated and compared with each other. This showed that the chemical blowing agent ...

Since CA shows no adhesive properties in the two-component injection molding process with bio based TPU, blends of CA and PBS were produced to decrease the interfacial tension between the materials. While the interfacial tension was calculated from the results of a drop shape analysis, the adhesion strength was measured in peel tests according to the guideline VDI 2019. The comparison of the results gave information about whether the drop shape analysis is a valid method to analyze the adhesive characteristics of ...

Under the aspect of sustainability and the use of alternative materials, engineering thermoplastics such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) will be reinforced with renewable raw materials such as regenerated cellulose fibers. The University of Kassel is developing cellulose regenerated fiber reinforced technical thermoplastics in a state-funded project with further companies. Since pure natural fibers cannot withstand the high operating temperature of engineering thermoplastics (Ts>230°C), regenerated cellulose ...

This work presents the mechanical behavior of self-reinforced composites (SRCs) manufactured and modified via film stacking. For modification, interleaved films made of polypropylene (PP), a thermoplastic elastomer and a polyolefin engage were combined in different ways to induce the elastic modifier into the matrix material. The content of modifier was also varied in two ways. First, the films were produced out of a single material and second out of a compound. So, the same content of modifier was implemented in two ...

The particle size and shape are of momentous significance for the mechanical properties of plastic composites. However, natural fillers, like wood, are not consistent in these attributes. In order to investigate the shared traits between these characteristics, WPCs were produced using polypropylene, hardwood and softwood fillers with different particle sizes and a coupling agent. Afterwards, specimens were processed using an injection molding machine. The filler sizes and shapes were measured using dynamic image ...