Mold Filling Simulation Dependence on Material Data Input for Injection Molding Process of Natural Rubber Compound

Abstract

The influence of material data input towards the mold filling behavior of a natural rubber compound during an injection molding process was investigated. A commercial injection molding software (Cadmould) was utilized in evaluating the effect of using experimentally obtained material data on the mold filling progression in comparison to the actual injection molding procedure. The experimental rheological data were measured using a capillary rheometer and subsequently, the Carreau and Cross models were used to acquire the rheological parameters by curve fitting and extrapolation procedures. The cure kinetics data were obtained by employing a cure rheometer technique along with utilization of empirical approach through application of mathematical models proposed by Claxton–Liska and Deng–Isayev. It was discovered that the acquired data were able to function as reliable material data input as they were comparable with related data available in the software materials' database. Verification of the simulated filling profiles by experimental short shots specimens showed that the software Rubber Package was able to predict the realistic filling behavior of the formulated natural rubber compound inside the mold cavity when the measured material data were utilized. Whereas, the usage of available material data from the software database failed to model the mold filling progression of the prepared natural rubber compound.