Since a few years the discussion of the method of producing blown hollow articles that affords the most suitable technical and economial conditions has been resumed. This report is an attempt to represent the more recent details of the process technologies of extrusion blow molding, dip blow molding and injection blow molding. It also points out the criteria of demarcating the uses of these techniques. A study of the market situation and development trends is followed by an explanation of the following subjects: new improvements of details in extrusion blow molding, technological advancements, raw materials situation, modern applications; dip blow molding: process technology and machine design, directions for processing, applications, properties of hollow articles; machines and molds for injection blow molding, fundamentals of processing technology, potential applications, costs and economics. The table attached to the report presents essential differences between the three blow molding techniques in terms of technology, quality and economics: The method of extrusion blow molding will retain its dominating position in the production of hollow articles. Dip blow molding will be a direct competitor of polyolefin bottles with circular cross-sections and narrow necks. The method of injection blow molding will open up new applications to plastics in competition with other packing materials like glass, metals, etc.
