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Engineering plastics (also known as performance materials) are a class of high-performance polymer materials that can be used as structural materials to withstand mechanical stress over a wide range of temperatures and in more demanding chemical and physical environments. It is a class of high-performance materials with balanced strength, toughness, heat resistance, hardness, and anti-aging properties, and is also an essential material in the plastics industry.

The five most commonly used engineering plastics include polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), polyoxymethylene (POM), modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), each of which has its own characteristics.

1. Polycarbonate (PC): Known for its high transparency and impact resistance, it is widely used in housing materials and optical components that require light transmission. However, PC materials are not very resistant to chemicals.

2. Polyamide (PA, nylon): has excellent high mechanical strength and abrasion resistance, and is usually used for mechanical parts such as gears and bearings. However, due to its high hygroscopicity, dimensional changes may occur in high humidity environments.

3. Polyoxymethylene (POM): It has good wear resistance and smooth surface, and is mostly used as a material for mechanical parts such as gears, bearings and resin springs. Its appearance is usually opaque milky white.

4. Modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE): with high mechanical strength and lightweight characteristics, suitable for electrical equipment shells and so on. However, it is not resistant to chemicals.

5. polybutylene terephthalate (PBT): with its good electrical insulation and smooth surface and favoured, commonly used in electrical equipment parts and automotive electrical parts. However, PBT material is easy to hydrolyse and affect the quality of products.

Due to their unique physical and chemical properties, these engineering plastics play an important role in modern industry and continue to expand their application in various fields. Engineering plastics are widely used in many fields because of their own excellent properties, but they still face many processing challenges, such as poor lubrication performance and poor mould release performance.

The release performance of engineering plastics refers to the ability of the plastic to come out from the mould smoothly after being formed in the mould. Improving the release performance of engineering plastics is of great significance in improving production efficiency, reducing product defects and extending the service life of moulds.

The following are several ways to improve the release performance of engineering plastics:

1. Mould surface treatment: The friction between the plastic and the mould can be reduced by applying a release agent to the surface of the mould or by applying a special coating treatment, thus improving the release performance. For example, using white oil as mould release agent.

2. Control of moulding conditions: Proper injection pressure, temperature and cooling time have an important effect on the release performance. Excessive injection pressure and temperature may cause the plastic to stick to the mould, while improper cooling time may lead to premature curing or deformation of the plastic.

3. Regular maintenance of moulds: Regular cleaning and maintenance of the moulds to remove residues and wear on the mould surfaces and to keep the moulds in good condition.

4. Use of additives: Adding specific additives to the plastic, such as internal or external lubricants, can reduce the internal friction of the plastic and the friction with the mould and improve the release performance.

SILIKE SILIMER 6200, Effective solutions to improve the release of engineering plastics

Through customer feedback, SILIKE SILIMER 6200 is used in engineering plastics to significantly enhance process lubrication and improve mould release performance. SILIKE SILIMER 6200 is also used as a lubricant processing additive in a wide variety of polymers. It is compatible with PP, PE, PS, ABS, PC, PVC, TPE, and PET. Compare with those traditional external additives like Amide, Wax, Ester, etc, it’s more efficient without any migration problem.

Typical performance of SILIKE SILIMER 6200:

1) Improve processing, reduce extruder torque, and improve filler dispersion;

2) Internal & external lubricant, reduce energy consumption and increase production efficiency;

3) composite and maintains the mechanical properties of the substrate itself;

4) Reduce the amount of compatibilizer, reduce product defects;

5) No precipitation after boiling test, keep long-term smoothness.

Adding SILIKE SILIMER 6200 in the right amount can give engineering plastic products good lubricity, mould release. Addition levels between 1~2.5% are suggested. It can be used in classical melt blending process like Single /Twin screw extruders, injection molding and side feed. A physical blend with virgin polymer pellets is recommended. 

If you are looking for a solution to improve the release properties of engineering plastics, contact SILIKE for a customised plastic modification process.

Contact us Tel: +86-28-83625089 or via email: amy.wang@silike.cn.

website:www.siliketech.com to learn more.