Introduction to Torlon
Torlon is a type of plastic made from polyamide-imide (PAI). It is known for its high strength, stiffness, high temperature resistance, and excellent chemical properties. This material is used in applications where these properties are needed, including components used in the aerospace, automotive, and electronic industries. Torlon is used in electrical & electronic applications due to its low electrical conductivity and excellent insulation properties.
Injection Molding Torlon Parts
Torlon plastic is often injection molded with relative ease. The injection molding process for Torlon is similar to that of other thermoplastics, with a few key differences.
- High temperatures: Torlon has a high melting point, typically around 446°F, so the barrel and nozzle of the injection molding machine must be heated to higher temperatures as compared to other plastics.
- High injection pressures: Torlon is a very strong and stiff material, so higher injection pressures are needed to fill the mold cavities to ensure that there are no shorts.
- Long cooling times: Due to Torlon’s high thermal stability, parts have to be cooled longer than other thermoplastics.
- Special care for the material: Torlon is sensitive to moisture and absorbs water quickly. Hence, the material should be dried before use and must be stored in a dry environment.
- Tooling: Tooling must be made from hardened steels, as Torlon is abrasive in nature, and can wear down aluminum and unhardened steel tooling.
Torlon Applications
Torlon plastic is used to manufacture a wide variety of parts and components for a range of industries. Some of the most common applications for Torlon include:
- Aerospace: Torlon is used in a variety of aerospace applications, such as gears, bearings, and other structural components.
- Automotive: Torlon is used in automotive applications such as bearings, bushings, gearing components and other parts.
- Industrial: Torlon is used in industrial applications such as gears, bearings, valve seats, and other components that require high strength and wear resistance.
- Electrical and Electronic: Torlon is often used in connector components, insulators, and other electrical parts because of its low electrical conductivity and good insulation properties.
- Medical Devices: Torlon is used in the medical industry to make parts that can withstand high-stress environments and high temperatures, such as surgical instruments.
- Oil and Gas: Torlon is used in the oil and gas industry to make parts that can withstand high-stress environments and high temperatures, such as bearings and seals used in pumps.
Torlon is a versatile material and can be used in a wide range of applications due to its unique combination of properties, such as high strength, stiffness, temperature resistance, and chemical resistance.
Torlon Molding Flash
Flash costs molders money, time and can become more prevalent as the mold wears. Flash is formed when the mold cavities wear. This excess material is pushed out of the mold and ends up extending from the parting line on the molded Torlon part.
There are a few reasons why flash may occur when molding Torlon plastic parts:
- Inadequate clamping: If the clamping pressure on the mold is insufficient, the mold may open just enough for material to be forced out.
- Improper gate design or position: If the gate is improper or placed in the wrong location, it may not allow the plastic to fill the mold evenly, resulting in flash.
- Incorrect process parameter: If the process parameter such as injection speed, pressure, temperature is not set correctly, flash may happen.
If you identify the root cause of the flash, you can make adjustments and corrects to eliminate it. As discussed, increasing the clamping force, modifying the mold design, or adjusting the process parameters may help achieve this. If the flash cannot be removed with these adjustments, a deflashing service or equipment can remove the flash from your Torlon parts. Nitrofreeze provides cryogenic deflashing services and technology transfer programs to make sure your molded Torlon parts are within their flash tolerance.
Cryogenic Deflashing Torlon Parts
Parts molded from Torlon can be cryogenically deflashed. Cryogenic deflashing is a process in which parts are cooled to low temperatures using a gaseous nitrogen atmosphere. The cold temperatures cause the flash to become brittle. In addition, the parts are blasted with a fine, polycarbonate media while tumbling against one another. This causes the flash to break off easily, allowing it to be removed from the part without damaging the surface finish or integrity of the part.
Our cryogenic deflashing process is also a more efficient and cost-effective method compared to traditional mechanical or abrasive methods. Cryogenic deflashing is suitable for small to medium-sized parts which are put in the cryogenic deflasher. Our cryogenic deflashing process is useful when the flash is not easy to remove by conventional mechanical methods, and/or the flash is located in tight areas.
If you are interested in sending in molded Torlon samples for a cryogenic deflashing evaluation, please contact us at (508) 459-7447×105 or email us at info@nitrofreeze.com.