An experimental and theoretical investigation of transient melt temperature during injection molding

Abstract

Abstract An in‐depth study of the effect of molding parameters on melt temperature was carried out, in which the melt temperature was measured with infrared probes. The effect of screw speed, back pressure, shot size, and polymer viscosity on melt temperature during plastication was determined. The melt temperature was not constant during injection, and was found to be as much as 44°C above the barrel temperature. The temperature rise results from viscous dissipation during plastication and adiabatic compression during injection. Measured temperatures are in qualitative agreement with a first order model of the process.