Abstract: A novel dynamic mold temperature control strategy was proposed for injection molding using carbidebonded graphene coating in this paper. A chemical vapor deposition process was employed to prepare the continuous, dense and chemically bonded graphene coating on the mold cavity surface. The cavity surface temperature increased rapidly above the glass transition temperature of a polymer by using a low voltage power suppler and could be realtime controlled. The cavity surface also achieved a uniform temperature distribution and a high cooling rate to meet the requirements for rapid thermal cycle injection molding. The experimental results indicated that the melt flow behavior was improved significantly by rapid thermal cycle injection molding with the carbidebonded graphene coating, and the weld line defects were also eliminated.

Key words: injection molding, graphene, coating, rapid heat cycle molding, dynamic mold temperature, weld line