초미세발포 플라스틱 기어에 관한 연구(I) - 초미세발포 플라스틱 기어의 공정설계 -

Abstract

This research proposes a process design of injection molded microcellular plastic gears for enhancing the fatigue strength/durability and accuracy of the gears applying thermodynamic instability to microcellular foaming process. To develop the injection molded plastic gears by way of microcellular process, it is absolutely necessary the following two process design. The first is microcellular foaming process for enhancing the strength/durability of plastic gears. To be microcellular process succeeded, based on the microcellular principle, mechanical apparatus is designed where nucleation and cell growth are to be generated renewably. The second is the counter pressure process which is mainly for improving the tooth surface roughness and the accuracy of microcellular gears. For the former process, screw, nozzle and gas equipment are newly designed, and for the latter, counter pressure by nitrogen gas is intentionally brought about into mold cavity when injecting plastic gears. Based on the proposed process design, using gear mold, experiments of injection molding show that, in internal space of plastic gears, microcellular nuclear cells less than 5㎛ in diameter have been generated homogeneously via electron microscope photos.