Did you know that low-pressure powder injection molding dates back to the 1970s? It served to make wire strain reliefs. Although the automotive industry first accepted low-pressure molding, it quickly spread to other areas. Today, you’ll find it in wire harnesses, military, and other products. It’s useful for any unit that needs protection from dirt and other environmental factors. Then, why is low-pressure injection molding getting so popular? Here is what you should know about this procedure!
Caption: A circuit board
Circuit boards and other electronic parts need to remain safe from environmental factors. Dirt and other debris can affect their performance and longevity. It’s why the industry resorts to pressure molding solutions, and it involves encapsulating parts for their protection.
Low-pressure plastic injection molding is a variation of the conventional over-molding process. The experts looked for a way to lower the pressure and temperature when encapsulating electronic components. So, they got hot-melt materials, including polyolefin and polyamide, which brought them the desired results and sped up the process.
Caption: Injection molding machines
First, you need to choose suitable raw materials. Polyamide is a common choice because it has optimal molding properties. Its processing temperatures go from -50C to 150C, which is -58-302F.
If you prepare the mold set correctly, the part won’t mind the temperature range. So, if the heat gets high, the cavity will absorb most of the heat. Therefore, there is no damage to the part you are molding.
You can go with two material types for a pressure molding process, and the choice comes down to epoxy and polyurethane. If you want to know how to pick a better one, here is an overview of both!
Caption: An illustration of epoxy resin stabilizing
Epoxy has been around for decades because it offers excellent protection. Apart from being durable, it also doesn’t shrink much. Therefore, you’ll find the actual pressure molding process easier. Epoxy works well at high-heat levels, and it’s a strong adhesive. On the other hand, the curing process takes time. If you use fast hardeners to speed it up, you’ll notice more heat, which might damage the parts and lead to mechanical stress.
Caption: A close-up view of polyurethane foam
If you have delicate parts, the experts recommend polyurethane pressure molding materials. That’s because they remain rubber after the curing process. You can get faster cycle times with PU. Furthermore, it’s easy to choose gel time and usable life. The temperature range during a short cycle time shouldn’t be a problem.
Caption: An injection molding machine ejects a finished part
Caption: Injection molding machines
Why would you use low-pressure molding systems? They come with multiple advantages, including:
Caption: Injection thermoplastic machine close-up
First, the apparent difference is in pressure levels. The high-pressure method needs 25,000PSI, and if you use it on sensitive parts like circuit boards, you’ll damage them. So, the low-pressure approach is the only suitable for these components.
Check out the table below for a detailed comparison between the two options!
FeatureLow-Pressure MoldingHigh-Pressure MoldingTemperature180-220C185-300CPressure25,000PSI100PSIClamping Pressure28-1,000 tons28-1,000 tonsMaterial Viscosity5g at a 10min flow rate5g at a 10min flow rateLow-pressure molding is the option to use if you are working with sensitive electrical parts. It ensures you protect them and maximize their longevity while avoiding any damage in the process. At Cloom, we have years of experience in low-pressure injection molding to serve the cable assemblies. If you need any tips or custom cables for your application, feel free to contact us today!
For more information low pressure injection molding machine, please get in touch with us!