Micromoulding: process characteristics and product properties

Key aspects of the technology and challenges associated with the micromoulding process are discussed. The apparent shear and extensional viscosity behaviour of a polyacetal at high wall shear rates have been measured using inline capillary rheometry on a commercial micromoulding machine and a larger servoelectric injection moulding machine; the polymer behaved predictably at shear rates in excess of 10(6) s(-1). Initial moulding trials indicated that a stepped plaque and 0(.)25 mm thick rectangular plaque mouldings filled in a satisfactory manner, but a thicker plaque cavity exhibited a jetting flow into the cavity. A data capture system capable of measuring multiple process dynamics at high sampling rates (up to 50 kHz per channel) allowed detailed process measurements taken during moulding of the stepped plaque moulding. Atomic force microscopy of the moulded products showed different surface finishes on each step of the stepped plaque moulding. Topography scans of the 0(.)25 mm thick rectangular plaque moulding showed that mould surface features with length scales of the order of a few micrometres were well replicated on the moulded product and the quality of the surface finish is dependent on the melt pressure during moulding.