1. Rotational molding of thermoplastic polyurethane
- Author
-
B. J. Rashmi and K. Prashantha
- Subjects
Materials science ,Defect free ,medicine.disease_cause ,Rotational molding ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Thermoplastic polyurethane ,chemistry ,Mold ,medicine ,Liquid bubble ,Composite material ,Material properties ,Polyurethane ,Shrinkage - Abstract
Recent developments in advanced polymeric materials and their foams have shown that these novel materials can improve design of newer materials and their processes for various applications from automobile to biomedical systems. Improved processing methodology along with structural stability and multi-functionality are the key factors that dictate the applicability of polymeric materials. The use of segmented thermoplastic polyurethane has not been a popular material choice for rotomolded parts due to high bubble formation, noticeable discoloration and a higher-than-normal occurrence of bridging. Therefore this work focused on understanding the basic material properties and optimization of the processing parameters in order to obtain defect free rotationally molded polyurethane. Obtained results indicates that rotationally molded samples showed no discoloration indicating there is no thermo-oxidative degradation of TPU. No warpage or shrinkage in the molded cube shows that, produced products are dimensionally stable. There was a complete mold filling in the product indicating an optimum time-temperature for coalescence of the TPU particles in the mold. But, bubble formation and pinholes on the product surface are the major issues in the current processing due to the presence of trapped air.
- Published
- 2020