The molecular integrity of your plastic injection molded component can be the difference between catastrophic failure, and ultimate success.
Stress cracks in any form of plastic part are a sign of a major issue, and one which, given the correct approach, can be totally avoided. There are two main reasons for such cracks, and each of them come down to the way that the molecules form or react.
Firstly, and perhaps most commonly, we see stresses appear at a much later date than during the production process, sometimes months or even years after, and these are mostly created due to external factors such as sunlight, exposure to extreme heats or cold, or occasionally even chemicals. Each of these impacts the resin, and the molecular structure releases, which in-turn shows minute cracking.
The second, and more complex, are those hairline cracks caused by the resin orientation during the molding. Setting the correct temperature and pressure is essential to imparting strength in the part being created. If done wrong, the resin creates counter-flows which are perpendicular to the designed flow, and when this happens, molecules will try to revert to their original state to fill that void. The structural integrity is then damaged and the durability and longevity will never be en par with what could be achieved.
In the automotive industry, where switches, caps, fillers and a whole host of other parts are put through unpredictable end-user stresses in addition to the friction, heat and impact of being used for hundreds of thousands of kilometres, it’s paramount that the correct manufacturer is selected at the outset who is able to comprehend these challenges and adjust the resin type and approach accordingly.
One such auto parts supplier is leading European-based, ADIS. With decades of experience supplying a host of global car makers and with the ingenuity and adaptability of the team to meet even the most exacting demands make them an obvious choice for your next project. Get in touch to learn more about the sixsigma approach, and our guarantee of delivering the highest quality on-time, every time.
