New Fabrics For Plastic Injection Molders
U.S.-based Polymer Group Inc. (PGI) has announced the commercial availability of new engineered materials offering benefits for injection molders in a wide range of automotive and other recreational and residential applications.The new, 100-percent-recyclable polyester (PET) fabrics are used as a backing material in the one-step injection molding process, which is increasingly being used by auto parts manufacturers for interiortrim applications. Laminated to knit facing materials for use in the one-step injection molding process, the new fabrics, according to PGI, offer benefits over traditional needlepunched fleece synthetic fabrics, such as excellent conformity to the facing fabric, better protection of the fabric in extremely high temperatures and improved moldability to the part.The new fabrics are made with a spunlace manufacturing process that maintains elongation properties of the fibers in both machine and cross machine directions for enhanced performance during molding. As a result, the mold barrier fabric easily conforms to the shape of the mold while maintaining structural integrity and barrier properties.Fabrics are available in a variety of weights to meet a range of temperatures for high- and low-pressure injection molding. Currently produced in white, the company also has the capability to provide colored materials.
March/April 2005