Polymer Casting
Polymer Casting - Related Videos
08:32
Indirect Fabrication of Lattice Metals with Thin Sections Using Centrifugal Casting
0 Views •
Cited by 8 •
2016
An indirect additive manufacturing method combining a 3D printing of polymers with a centrifugal casting is outlined for manufacturing 3D octet truss metals (Al and Cu alloys) having a unit cell length of 5 mm with a wall thickness of 0.5 mm.
02:34
Polymers
0 Views •
2020
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
06:42
Cerebrovascular Casting of the Adult Mouse for 3D Imaging and Morphological Analysis
0 Views •
Cited by 29 •
2011
In this article, we present a simple, practical technique for cerebrovascular casting that is easy to perform and can be utilized to image the vascular tree of the adult mouse brain.
08:06
Fabrication of Polymer Microspheres for Optical Resonator and Laser Applications
0 Views •
Cited by 3 •
2017
Protocols for the synthesis of microspheres from polymers, the manipulation of microspheres, and micro-photoluminescence measurements are presented.
08:44
Tension Tests of Polymers
0 Views •
2023
Source: Roberto Leon, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Polymeric materials are widely used in civil structures, with uses ranging from very soft sealants to more rigid pipes in water and wastewater systems. The most basic definition of a polymer is a molecular structure with repeating subunits. The term polymer comes from Greek, where "poly" means many, and "-mer" means basic unit. Monomers, or single mers, are the specific repeating units. With...
FAQs
Viscosity and temperature govern how readily the liquid polymer system fills the mold and how consistently it reproduces its geometry. Their control influences dimensional accuracy, surface finish, strength, and defect formation. Engineering teams therefore treat these variables as central process conditions, because unsuitable values can prevent the material from filling the intended shape before solidification.
Solidification stabilizes the molded form through either chemical cross-linking or cooling, depending on the polymer system. When a curing agent or catalyst is used, the changing material develops a stable structure through cross-linking; cooling instead produces stability as the material loses heat. The selected mechanism determines how cure time or temperature must be managed before handling.
Trapped air can interfere with complete mold filling and contribute to defects in the finished component. Removing air before or during filling helps the liquid resin occupy the intended mold volume more consistently, supporting better surface finish and dimensional accuracy. This control is especially important when the part has a custom geometry or serves as an optical or encapsulation component.
A controlled workflow requires a liquid resin or polymer system, an appropriate curing agent or catalyst when chemical curing is used, and a mold that defines the target geometry. The main conditions to manage are mixing, air removal, filling, temperature, and cure time. Coordinating these elements helps the material solidify as a stable part with the intended shape and properties.
Mold design affects more than the external outline of a casting. It determines the geometry available to the liquid material and therefore contributes to dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and the likelihood of defects during filling and solidification. Thoughtful mold design is valuable for custom geometries that would be difficult to produce by machining, making casting useful during engineering development.
Engineering applications include prototypes, optical components, encapsulation components, composite structures, and custom geometries that may be difficult to machine. These uses reflect the process’s ability to create specialized forms from a liquid polymer system rather than relying solely on subtractive fabrication. Resulting parts can be evaluated for shape, surface quality, strength, and defect formation in relation to their intended use.