3D Model for Powder Compact Densification in Rotational Molding

Abstract

During rotational molding, a loosely packed, low-density powder compact transforms into a fully densified polymer part. This transformation is a consequence of particles sintering. Powder compact density evolution of the polymer powder is measured experimentally. Obtained results show that the powder densification process consists of two stages, and its mechanism during these two stages is not the same. During the first stage, densification occurs by grains coalescence, and air between the grains escape by open pores between particles. These open pores close in time by particles coalescence progress, and remaining air entrapped in polymer melt becomes air bubbles. Surface tension, viscosity, grains size, and temperature are the controlling parameters during first stage. A three-dimensional model is proposed for the densification of polymer powder during first stage. Second stage starts after bubble forming. Diffusion is the controlling phenomena during this stage. A diffusion-based model is used for the second stage of densification. By comparing with the other models, proposed model exhibits several advantages: it is proposed in three-dimensional and takes into account the nature of layer-by-layer powder densification. Model verification by experimental data obtained for densification of two different polymers shows a close agreement between model prediction and experiments.