Numerical Simulation of Microcellular Injection Molding: A Case Study

The microcellular injection molding, often referred to as MuCell®, is an innovative polymer processing technique that utilizes supercritical inert gases, such as CO2 or N2, to manufacture lightweight plastic products. This technology has gained significant attention in recent years due to environmen...

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Main Authors: A. Chaabene, A. Ben Khalifa, S. Chatti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Galati University Press 2024-12-01
Series:Annals of "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Fascicle XII, Welding Equipment and Technology
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Online Access:https://www.gup.ugal.ro/ugaljournals/index.php/awet/article/view/7099
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author A. Chaabene
A. Ben Khalifa
S. Chatti
author_facet A. Chaabene
A. Ben Khalifa
S. Chatti
author_sort A. Chaabene
collection DOAJ
description The microcellular injection molding, often referred to as MuCell®, is an innovative polymer processing technique that utilizes supercritical inert gases, such as CO2 or N2, to manufacture lightweight plastic products. This technology has gained significant attention in recent years due to environmental concerns and the increasing demand for lightweight components with superior mechanical properties. However, challenges related to surface finish quality and limited mechanical properties have impeded its widespread adoption. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the microcellular injection molding process. To evaluate the practicality of the MuCell® process, an industrial case study is conducted, assessing its production reliability and overall product quality. A comparative rheological analysis is performed to discern the distinctions between MuCell® and traditional injection molding, thus validating the claimed advantages of microcellular injection. Based on the accrued findings, it is deduced that MuCell® proves to be a pertinent injection molding technique for fabricating lightweight plastic components featuring enhanced dimensional stability, reduced shrinkage, and minimized warping when compared to conventionally injection-molded parts.
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publisher Galati University Press
record_format Article
series Annals of "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Fascicle XII, Welding Equipment and Technology
spelling doaj-art-429b00ada353402696a0db096b7bd2b32025-08-20T03:33:17ZengGalati University PressAnnals of "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Fascicle XII, Welding Equipment and Technology1221-46392668-61632024-12-01351524https://doi.org/10.35219/awet.2024.01Numerical Simulation of Microcellular Injection Molding: A Case StudyA. Chaabene0A. Ben Khalifa1S. Chatti2Laboratory of Mechanical Engineering (LGM), National Engineering School of Monastir, University of Monastir, TunisiaLaboratory of Mechanical Engineering (LGM), National Engineering School of Monastir, University of Monastir, TunisiaLaboratory of Mechanical Engineering (LGM), National Engineering School of Monastir, University of Monastir, TunisiaThe microcellular injection molding, often referred to as MuCell®, is an innovative polymer processing technique that utilizes supercritical inert gases, such as CO2 or N2, to manufacture lightweight plastic products. This technology has gained significant attention in recent years due to environmental concerns and the increasing demand for lightweight components with superior mechanical properties. However, challenges related to surface finish quality and limited mechanical properties have impeded its widespread adoption. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the microcellular injection molding process. To evaluate the practicality of the MuCell® process, an industrial case study is conducted, assessing its production reliability and overall product quality. A comparative rheological analysis is performed to discern the distinctions between MuCell® and traditional injection molding, thus validating the claimed advantages of microcellular injection. Based on the accrued findings, it is deduced that MuCell® proves to be a pertinent injection molding technique for fabricating lightweight plastic components featuring enhanced dimensional stability, reduced shrinkage, and minimized warping when compared to conventionally injection-molded parts.https://www.gup.ugal.ro/ugaljournals/index.php/awet/article/view/7099plastic injectionmicrocellular injection moldingmucellmechanical propertiessurface quality
spellingShingle A. Chaabene
A. Ben Khalifa
S. Chatti
Numerical Simulation of Microcellular Injection Molding: A Case Study
Annals of "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Fascicle XII, Welding Equipment and Technology
plastic injection
microcellular injection molding
mucell
mechanical properties
surface quality
title Numerical Simulation of Microcellular Injection Molding: A Case Study
title_full Numerical Simulation of Microcellular Injection Molding: A Case Study
title_fullStr Numerical Simulation of Microcellular Injection Molding: A Case Study
title_full_unstemmed Numerical Simulation of Microcellular Injection Molding: A Case Study
title_short Numerical Simulation of Microcellular Injection Molding: A Case Study
title_sort numerical simulation of microcellular injection molding a case study
topic plastic injection
microcellular injection molding
mucell
mechanical properties
surface quality
url https://www.gup.ugal.ro/ugaljournals/index.php/awet/article/view/7099
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AT abenkhalifa numericalsimulationofmicrocellularinjectionmoldingacasestudy
AT schatti numericalsimulationofmicrocellularinjectionmoldingacasestudy