Residual stresses, shrinkage, and warpage of complex injection molded products : Numerical simulation and experimental validation

A numerical simulation model for predicting residual stresses and residual deformations which arise during the injection molding of thermoplastic polymers in the post-packing stage has been developed. A thermoviscoelastic model with volume relaxation is used for the calculation of residual stresses. The finite element method employed is based on the theory of shells as an assembly of flat elements. This theory is well suited for thin injection molded products of complex shape. The approach allows the prediction of residual deformations and residual stresses layer by layer like a truly three-dimensional calculation, while reducing the computational cost significantly. The hole drilling technique is used to measure the residual stresses across the thickness of the product. A three-dimensional laser digitizing system, an image processing technique and a dual displacement transducer system are used to measure the warpage. Experiments are carried out on polycarbonate and high density polyethylene parts. Numerical results are in qualitative agreement with experimental observations, i.e., the skin of the box is surrounded by a compressive region while the core region is in traction. The trend of both the experimental and the predicted residual stress profiles is close. Different examples are presented to illustrate the influence of the geometrical complexity of the shape on the final deformations and residual stresses. The influence of the mold temperature on residual stresses and warpage is also analyzed.

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