Moldability improvement in microinjection molding via film lamination

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to integrate a polymeric film onto a mold to impede thermal heat transfer during resin infusion. A thin plastic plate was fabricated by using microinjection molding. A polyimide (PI) film was laminated onto a mold in an effort to produce a thin light guide plate (LGP). The film could decelerate the solidification of molten polymer in the cavity of mold and enhance the wall slip of resin on the mold. The insulation effect was modeled numerically. The surface roughness and pattern transfer characteristics of the LGP were evaluated. It was found that the fluidity of the resin increased due to the decreased skin layer during mold filling. The results showed that the strategy proposed in this study could help decrease the thickness of LGP effectively when manufacturing the part via injection molding.