Injection molding of polymers by microwave heating

摘要

Injection molding machine utilizes microwave heating. A microwave oven adapted to receive a microwave absorbent plasticizing vessel is utilized with or incorporated into an injection molding system to form a plasticizing unit for heating polymer granules to an injection temperature and injection of the melt into the cavity of the injection mold. The polymer granules may be preheated by conventional heating systems to a temperature at which the granules become microwave absorbent before heating to the injection temperature in the microwave oven. The injection molding machine also contains a hydraulic actuator for injection of the melt. The ceramic materials forming the plasticizing vessel are selected to provide equal heating rates of mold members and relatively uniform heating of polymer to desired injection temperature.