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Versatility No. 1 ABS resin's points during injection molding

Versatility No. 1 ABS resin's points during injection molding

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What is ABS Resin?

ABS resin is a material composed by combining three different types of properties.

Acrylonitrile (A): Mechanical properties, heat resistance, oil resistance.Butadiene (B): Impact resistance, elasticity.Styrene (S): Processability, stability.It is excellent in impact resistance and surface gloss, and is also compatible with secondary processing such as painting and plating. It is widely used in various fields, from everyday items to industrial parts.

Properties/Characteristics

Properties / Characteristics Remarks
Molecular Structure Amorphous
Shrinkage Rate Low 0.4 to 0.5%
Color Generally colored Transparent grades available
Glass Transition Temperature Low 80 to 110°C
Impact Resistance Excellent High but inferior to polycarbonate
Heat Resistance Good 70 to 100°C<

Typical Applications

Due to its good appearance and high functionality, it is versatile and used in a variety of applications.

  • Automotive parts (interior: instrument panels and switch parts, exterior: around lights, grills)
  • Appliance parts (refrigerators, washing machines, TVs, air conditioners)
  • Construction-related (resin window frames, unit bath frames)
  • General equipment (copiers, printers, computers)
  • Miscellaneous goods (gaming machines, toys, suitcases)

Applications that utilize good appearance:

As it is a plastic with a beautiful gloss, it is widely used in exterior parts. It is used as a substrate for plating parts and exterior components of automobiles, appliances, and gaming machines.

Applications that utilize good functionality:

Its good impact resistance is widely used from the exteriors to functional parts of home appliances and general equipment. Although it is cheaper than PC, it is stronger and thus more widely used. Due to its high impact resistance, it is used in areas where functional reliability is needed, such as housings for home appliances and automobiles.

ABS resin helmets have high impact resistance and insulation, making them ideal for environments that do not require the heat resistance of PC.

Existing window frames were made of aluminum. Sashes made of ABS resin and similar materials have about 1/100th the thermal conductivity of aluminum materials and offer excellent insulation effects. They are also used in bathrooms, with added foam materials to improve heat resistance.

Points to Consider During the Molding Process of ABS Resin

When molding ABS resin, it is important to pay attention to the preparation of raw materials and the setting of molding conditions. Here are some common issues related to raw material appearance and their solutions.

During Raw Material Preparation

Pre-drying is necessary before molding (3 hours at 80°C). Undried ABS resin will cause silver streaks during molding.

During Heating Cylinder / Mold Temperature Setting

Heating Cylinder

Set around 220°C. Lower the nozzle temperature of the heating cylinder if there is strong stringing.

Mold

Set between 40°C and 80°C. The mold temperature significantly affects the appearance of the product surface. Low mold temperatures can cause poor flow, leading to short shots and flow marks.

Common Defects in Appearance

Although ABS resin is an easy-to-mold resin, there are critical points to consider:

Silver Streaks

Likely to occur when filling at high speeds. Special attention is needed when the mold structure is complex, involving bosses or ribs.

Weld Lines

Weld lines are inevitable at the meeting points of flow. Adjust injection speed to prevent gas traps in dead ends.

Short Shots and Gas Burns

Over tens of thousands of shots, short shots and gas burns can occur due to poor gas venting. Regular inspections and cleaning of parting lines and gas vents, as well as periodic mold overhauls, are necessary.

Poor Mold Release

After tens of thousands of shots, slides may wear out or run out of grease, causing poor sliding. This may result in scratches on the product during mold opening due to uneven sliding. Insufficient sliding of ejector pins and stripper plates can also cause marks or deformations. It is crucial to observe the actual operation during molding to check for any malfunctions or unusual noises.

Issues During Secondary Processing (Printing, Painting, Plating)

Care should be taken with defects that appear on the product surface, such as scratches, marks, shrinkage, silver, blisters, flow marks, and thread-like adhesions. Defects become more apparent after secondary processing. Grease and soot from the mold adhering during processing can lead to defects during secondary operations. Defective products after secondary processing cannot be recycled by grinding. As value is added, the cost of disposal also increases.

Summary

ABS resin is widely used from everyday items to industrial parts due to its excellent mechanical performance and impact resistance, and it is very easy to process. It is compatible with secondary processes like printing, painting, and plating. Special attention should be paid to surface defects, grease, and soot adhesion. Consider these factors to aim for more productive molding processing.

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