We can help you determine the wear resistance of molding compounds and evaluate the resistance of tool steels to highly corrosive or abrasive molding compounds.
Since the optimization of plastic formulations and additives, including research into new additives, is a key area of work at LBF, we are also happy to support you in developing compounds with minimal wear effects while maintaining the target properties.
Another issue is the formation of deposits on surfaces that come into contact with the melt. The occasional detachment of such deposits manifests itself as particle contamination in the plastic (specks, burners, gel particles).
In molding processes such as injection molding, hot stamping, and flat film extrusion, minimal adhesion between the molded part and the mold surface is essential so that the molded part can be removed from the mold without damage.
PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) hard coatings such as CrN, TiN, and TiAlN have a wear-protective effect and reduce coating formation. Carbide or DLC coatings have a similar effect. These can also be modified with silicon, fluorine, or oxygen, which optimizes their anti-adhesive properties. They are applied using wet chemical or PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition) processes.
However, developments in this field are far from complete. The LBF has therefore been and continues to be involved in collaborative projects with other Fraunhofer or university institutes that address the above-mentioned topics. The LBF's role in these projects is to conduct investigations under real-life conditions in plastics processing. Tailored measurement methods are often developed for this purpose.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to work on the same or similar issues in bilateral or publicly funded projects.
