Injection molding temperature dependence of elastic coefficients obtained using three-point bending tests to ascertain thermoplastic polymer coefficients

Abstract

Thermoplastic resins, which are lighter than metals and ceramics, have many features such as excellent processability. They are used in widely various fields for daily necessities and for transportation equipment. Even for the same material, the elastic properties of the thermoplastic resin can vary depending on the molecular weight, molding temperature and conditions. Therefore, the elastic properties required for structural analysis must be evaluated each time. After this study derived a formula for yield initiation stress of injection-molded thermoplastics, the formula was applied for a method of obtaining the longitudinal elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio from results of a three-point bending test. From actual examination using polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS), the calculated longitudinal elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio showed good agreement with literature values. Results clarified that these values depend on the injection molding temperature. Furthermore, the bulk modulus and shear modulus were obtained from the longitudinal modulus and Poisson's ratio. Their injection molding temperature dependences were investigated. The shear modulus showed the same tendency as that of the longitudinal elastic modulus, but results indicated the dependence of bulk modulus as small in PP: bulk modulus of PS increased with increasing injection molding temperature.