Duane Lee Wo
Tel: 93512252 (Room 307), Email: duane.leewo@aeromech.usyd.edu.au
PhD Research Title:
Viscosity as a model to interpret the impact of injection moulding processing parameters on the micro-mechanical behaviour of engineering polymersAbstract: Ultimately, all processing
characteristics impact on the materials resistance to flow and reflect the materials rate
of dissipation of deformational energy, or viscosity. This research topic focuses on the
marriage and interactions between the injection moulding process parameters, the mould
design and polymer morphology. The objective is to create a "Moulding Area Diagram
(MAD)" which is a graphical representation of process performance, subjected to
various melt and mould temperatures, barrel residence time, injection velocity and shear
through screw recovery.
The model is based on the rheological and viscosity behaviour as process variables are
manipulated. It basically determines the extreme values, which a material can be subjected
to prior to adversely impacting on its micro-mechanical strength and performance. The
methodology involves equating the large scale flow behaviour, to the intrinsic mechanical
properties, obtained through modulus testing on the crystallinity of moulded samples, thus
establishing a relationship between viscosity and strength.
