Nitrogen in the Plastics Industry
Nitrogen is widely used in the plastics industry. Injection molding, film extrusion, gas assist injection molding all use nitrogen due to its inertness
and dryness. On site nitrogen is an ideal choice. Nitrogen can be generated on demand without relying on deliveries from a third party supplier.
In injection molding, moisture and oxygen can cause issues with the final product including defects and blemishes. Using dry nitrogen from a Parker on
site nitrogen generator eliminates these problems.
Film extrusion is achieved by extruding a molten thermoplastic using a screw through a die. Then it is inflated to many times its initial diameter forming
a thin tubular film. Screw carbonization and frequent die cleaning, caused by oxygen in the feed throat hopper, are issues with blown film extrusion
that can be improved or eliminated by using a nitrogen purge.
Gas assist injection molding (GIAM) involves a multi-step molding process. It is a way to make thick plastic parts without issues created from excess shrinkage
of the part. It is a type of injection molding that uses an inert gas to create a very dense and strong plastic part that uses nitrogen to pack out
the part and compensate for shrinkage. First the polymer is injected into a mold though not all filled. Nitrogen under high pressure is injected into
the polymer pushing it into areas of the mold that are not yet filled. The nitrogen pressure is maintained during the cooling phase of the molding
process. Gas pressure is released and the part is ejected.
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