Plastics Technology Handbook, Fourth Edition
Book Preface
A Note on RIM and RRIM
RIM and RRIM require that a liquid isocyanate compound (component B) is effectively mixed with another liquid (component A) which contains polyols, catalysts, and other agents. Components A and B are metered and pumped into mixing heads where the two immiscible components are each turbulently broken down into small droplets surrounded by the other component phase. (The nozzles on the mixing head are usually 3 mm in diameter. This corresponds to a viscosity pumping pressure relationship of 8 Pa s and 25 MPa, for example.) As the flow emerges from the mixing heads, the flow becomes laminar with phase separation (striation thickness) of about 10 mm. Reaction takes place at the interface during flow into the mold and subsequently in the mold until the products has sufficient strength to allow demolding.
The mixed liquids from the mixing head are forced (by pressure of liquid entering the mixing head) through a runner and gate and into the mold. It is generally required that the flow of the mixture should be laminar in the form of a film of about 1 mm thickness at a flow rate of about 2 m/s. Turbulent flow may cause air entrapment. The flow should be directed to the lower part of the mold to allow upward filling and any small amount of foaming to compensate for shrinkage (5%). The mold design should be such that air can escape through the parting lines.
Because of the low pressure (0.3 MPa) in the mold as compared to those encountered in thermoplastic injection molding (150 MPa) this process is suitable for the production of thin part with large surface areas. A significant application for this is in panel formation in the automotive industry, including fascias, door panels, spoilers, grills, and bumpers. While a rigid foam part with a flexural strength of 700 MPa would require a thickness of 7 mm, a RRIM part, because of the reinforcement, would allow a much smaller thickness (!3 mm) by virtue of the increase in flexural modulus.
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