Semi-automatic laboratory equipment for reactive injection molding

Abstract

Traditional melt processing techniques limit in shape and thickness the parts of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites. Producing of thermoplastic hybrid composites through melt intercalation often results in heterogeneous products due to micron-scale agglomerations with a negative effect on the mechanical properties. The in-situ polymerization processes to form the matrix in polymer composites have proved to be a good approach toward the resolution of these issues. In the present work we report on the design and con-struction of a prototype semi-automatic laboratory equipment for reactive injection molding and its application for the preparation of various types of polyamide-6 based composites via in-situ activated anionic polymerization of ε-caprolactam.