摘要 |
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for making stress free plastic articles from plastic particles such as powder utilizing heat and pressure in which a quantity of plastic particles (83) is supplied to a first member (82), a flexible diaphragm (90) is disposed in opposed relationship to said first member with said plastic particles therebetween, a micro-porous air release means (84), (85) is positioned between said plastic particles (83) and said flexible diaphragm (90), a fluid-like pressure is applied to said diaphragm to cause said diaphragm to apply an even fluid-like pressure through said air release means to said plastic particles, heat is applied to said plastic particles while under said fluid-like pressure and any entrapped gases between the particles is vented by means of the air release means. The pressure and heat are controlled to effect a consolidation of the plastic particles into the article. A second diaphragm may be used on the opposite side of said first diaphragm and either one or both of said diaphragms may be a sealed envelope to which fluid pressure is applied. The plastic article produced by the method is substantially free of all stresses. |