Optimization of Microcellular Injection Molding Parameters

Microcellular foamed polymeric products have found various applications depending upon their cell morphology. The microcellular injection molding process parameters have effect on the cell Size, cell density and cell distribution. In order to develop desired cell morphology for a particular application, the set of injection molding parameters is required to be optimized for achieving a correct process window. In this paper an effort is made to study the effect of various injection molding processing parameters on cell morphology. Series of experiments were conducted for each of the processing parameter and the samples were observed under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The trends of cell size and cell density with respect to the processing parameters were qualitatively analyzed The results are useful for the processors who are interested in building up an understanding of this novel process and also to enable optimization of the set of processing parameters so that the desired microstructure of a foamed polymer can be obtained.