Effects of process parameters and nano⁃SiO2 content on cellular structure and mechanical properties of MIM polymer products

doi:10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2025.10.008

Abstract

Abstract:

This study aims to optimize the microcellular injection molding （MIM） process for producing polymer components with uniform cell structure and enhanced mechanical properties. Using a combination of single⁃factor and orthogonal experimental designs， the effects of melt temperature， injection velocity， supercritical fluid （SCF） concentration， injection pressure， and nano-silica （SiO₂） content on cellular morphology and mechanical performance were systematically investigated. Matrix analysis was employed for multi⁃objective optimization based on cell diameter， cell density， tensile strength， and flexural strength. Results show that SCF concentration most significantly affects cellular structure， reducing cell diameter and increasing cell density with increasing concentration. Injection velocity has the greatest impact on mechanical properties， causing tensile strength to first decrease and then increase， while flexural strength decreases monotonically. The optimized process yields components with a cell diameter of 36.82 μm， cell density of 1.40×10⁶ cells/cm³， tensile strength of 19.69 MPa， and flexural strength of 36.49 MPa. These represent a 79.27 % reduction in cell diameter， an 8 135.29 % increase in cell density， and improvements of 39.94% in tensile strength and 12.87 % in flexural strength over pre⁃optimized values. Furthermore， all four metrics are enhanced by 1.47 %， 3.70 %， 3.09 %， and 0.69 %， respectively， compared to the best orthogonal experimental result.

Key words: cellular structure, mechanical property, nano?SiO₂, process optimization, multi?criteria analysis

CLC Number:

TQ320.66⁺2

CHEN Fei, LI Haodong, YU Min, HUA Haitao, LI Qingzhou, DONG Chunfa, XU Lei, WANG Zhiyong, HE Wuqing, YU Shengrui. Effects of process parameters and nano⁃SiO₂ content on cellular structure and mechanical properties of MIM polymer products[J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(10): 39-48.

Figures/Tables 10

References 13

[1]	WANG Y， CHEN S， MI J， et al. Effect of the crystallization of modified polybutylene terephthalate on its foaming using supercritical CO₂： Transition from microcellular to nanocellular foam［J］. The Journal of Supercritical Fluids， 2022， 181： 105463.
[2]	YU S， WANG K， XU L， et al. Fabrication of lightweight polymer products with excellent mechanical properties using a novel double⁃sided in⁃mold decoration combined with fiber⁃reinforced microcellular injection molding process［J］. Journal of Materials Research and Technology， 2024， 28： 4 289⁃4 298.
[3]	YANG C， WANG G， ZHAO J， et al. Lightweight and strong glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composite foams achieved by mold⁃opening microcellular injection molding［J］. Journal of Materials Research and Technology， 2021， 14： 2 920⁃2 931.
[4]	于盛睿，刘钦迪，徐磊，等. 双面覆膜与纤维含量对MIM/IMD工艺翘曲变形及力学性能的影响［J］. 中国塑料， 2023， 37（5）： 55⁃61.
	YU S R， LIU Q D， XU L， et al. Effects of double⁃side film and fiber content on warpage and mechanical properties of products prepared by MIM/MID［J］. China Plastics， 2023， 37（5）： 55⁃61.
[5]	张纯，于杰，何力，等. 注塑工艺参数对HDPE化学发泡行为的影响［J］. 高分子材料科学与工程， 2010， 26（10）： 107⁃111.
	ZHANG C， YU J， HE L， et al. Effect of injection processing parameter on HDPE foaming behavior［J］. Polymer Materials Science & Engineering， 2010， 26（10）： 107⁃111.
[6]	LIN X， CATON⁃ROSE F， REN D， et al. Shear⁃induced crystallization morphology and mechanical property of high density polyethylene in micro⁃injection molding［J］. Journal of Polymer Research， 2013， 20： 1⁃12.
[7]	WANG G， DONG M， YUAN M， et al. Effects of process conditions and nano⁃fillers on the cell structure and mechanical properties of co⁃injection molded polypropylene⁃polyethylene composites［J］. Polymer， 2024， 299： 126935.
[8]	何小芳，黄文景，罗四海，等. 超高相对分子质量聚乙烯的耐磨性改性研究进展［J］. 中国塑料， 2013， 27（3）： 19⁃24.
	HE X F， HUANG W J， LUO S H， et al. Research progress in wear resistance modification of ultrahigh molecular weight Polyethylene［J］. China Plastics， 2013， 27（3）： 19⁃24.
[9]	武毅，贾仕奎，朱艳，等. SiO₂粒径对PP发泡行为和力学性能的影响［J］. 塑料工业， 2011， 39（4）： 87⁃90+5.
	WU Y， JIA S K， ZHU Y， et al. Effect of the grain⁃size of SiO₂ on the PP foaming behavior and mechanical properties［J］. China Plastics Industry， 2011， 39（4）： 87⁃90+5.
[10]	WANG G， ZHAO G， DONG G， et al. Lightweight and strong microcellular injection molded PP/talc nanocomposite［J］. Composites Science and Technology， 2018， 168： 38⁃46.
[11]	LIU Y， GUAN Y， LI Y， et al. Rheological/crystallization behavior of PP/graphite nanosheet composites and performance of microcellular foaming plastics［J］. Composites Communications， 2022， 32： 101133.
[12]	WANG K， KAN Y， ZHU Y， et al. Optimization of synthesis parameters for C⁃S⁃H/PCE nanocomposites： a comprehensive study using orthogonal experiments and multi⁃analysis approaches［J］. Construction and Building Materials， 2024， 417： 135332.
[13]	祁睿格，何春霞，付菁菁，等. 无机纳米粒子对木粉/高密度聚乙烯木塑复合材料热学及力学性能的影响［J］. 上海交通大学学报， 2019， 53（3）： 373⁃379.
	QI R G， HE C X， FU J J， et al. Effect of inorganic nanoparticles on the thermal and mechanical properties of wood fiber/HDPE composites［J］. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University， 2019， 53（3）： 373⁃379.

水平	A/℃	B/mm·s^-1	C/%	D/MPa	E/%
1	180	100	0.1	90	1
2	200	150	0.2	110	2
3	220	200	0.3	130	3
4	240	250	0.4	150	4

水平	A/℃	B/mm·s^-1	C/%	D/MPa	E/%
1	180	100	0.1	90	1
2	200	150	0.2	110	2
3	220	200	0.3	130	3
4	240	250	0.4	150	4

试验号	试验方案	泡孔直径/μm	泡孔密度/10⁵个·cm^-3	拉伸强度/MPa	弯曲强度/MPa
1	A₁B₁C₁D₁E₁	82.86	0.22	17.35	34.64
2	A₁B₂C₂D₂E₂	87.70	0.46	16.70	34.01
3	A₁B₃C₃D₃E₃	92.88	0.65	16.01	33.95
4	A₁B₄C₄D₄E₄	42.45	7.05	15.78	33.82
5	A₂B₁C₂D₃E₄	51.04	4.00	15.89	35.11
6	A₂B₂C₁D₄E₃	118.43	0.26	15.72	34.55
7	A₂B₃C₄D₁E₂	50.21	6.89	17.84	34.51
8	A₂B₄C₃D₂E₁	100.03	0.39	17.00	33.28
9	A₃B₁C₃D₄E₂	66.16	2.46	19.10	36.24
10	A₃B₂C₄D₃E₁	52.98	7.34	18.16	35.63
11	A₃B₃C₁D₂E₄	103.74	0.39	15.16	33.69
12	A₃B₄C₂D₁E₃	108.26	0.50	16.07	33.62
13	A₄B₁C₄D₂E₃	37.37	13.53	18.35	35.67
14	A₄B₂C₃D₁E₄	88.23	1.33	17.07	35.22
15	A₄B₃C₂D₃E₁	124.58	0.27	15.00	34.92
16	A₄B₄C₁D₃E₂	122.64	0.19	15.25	34.17

试验号	试验方案	泡孔直径/μm	泡孔密度/10⁵个·cm^-3	拉伸强度/MPa	弯曲强度/MPa
1	A₁B₁C₁D₁E₁	82.86	0.22	17.35	34.64
2	A₁B₂C₂D₂E₂	87.70	0.46	16.70	34.01
3	A₁B₃C₃D₃E₃	92.88	0.65	16.01	33.95
4	A₁B₄C₄D₄E₄	42.45	7.05	15.78	33.82
5	A₂B₁C₂D₃E₄	51.04	4.00	15.89	35.11
6	A₂B₂C₁D₄E₃	118.43	0.26	15.72	34.55
7	A₂B₃C₄D₁E₂	50.21	6.89	17.84	34.51
8	A₂B₄C₃D₂E₁	100.03	0.39	17.00	33.28
9	A₃B₁C₃D₄E₂	66.16	2.46	19.10	36.24
10	A₃B₂C₄D₃E₁	52.98	7.34	18.16	35.63
11	A₃B₃C₁D₂E₄	103.74	0.39	15.16	33.69
12	A₃B₄C₂D₁E₃	108.26	0.50	16.07	33.62
13	A₄B₁C₄D₂E₃	37.37	13.53	18.35	35.67
14	A₄B₂C₃D₁E₄	88.23	1.33	17.07	35.22
15	A₄B₃C₂D₃E₁	124.58	0.27	15.00	34.92
16	A₄B₄C₁D₃E₂	122.64	0.19	15.25	34.17

指标	项目	A/℃	B/mm·s^-3	C/%	D/MPa	E/%
泡孔直径/μm	k₁	76.47	59.36	106.92	82.39	90.11
	k₂	79.93	86.84	92.89	82.21	81.68
	k₃	82.78	92.85	86.83	79.88	89.23
	k₄	93.20	93.34	45.75	87.91	71.37
	R₁	16.73	33.99	61.17	8.02	18.75
	因素主次	C>B>E>A>D
	最优方案	A₁B₁C₄D₃E₄
泡孔密度/10⁵个·cm^-3	k₁	2.10	5.05	0.27	2.24	2.06
	k₂	2.89	2.35	1.31	3.69	2.50
	k₃	2.67	2.05	1.21	3.05	3.74
	k₄	3.83	2.03	8.70	2.51	3.19
	R₂	1.74	3.02	8.44	1.46	1.68
	因素主次	C>B>A>E>D
	最优方案	A₄B₁C₄D₂E₃
拉伸强度/MPa	k₁	16.46	17.67	15.87	17.08	16.88
	k₂	16.61	16.91	15.92	16.80	17.22
	k₃	17.12	16.00	17.30	16.33	16.54
	k₄	16.42	16.02	17.53	16.40	15.98
	R₃	0.71	1.67	1.66	0.75	1.25
	因素主次	B>C>E>D>A
	最优方案	A₃B₁C₄D₁E₂
弯曲强度/MPa	k₁	34.11	35.42	34.26	34.50	34.62
	k₂	34.36	34.85	34.42	34.16	34.73
	k₃	34.80	34.27	34.67	34.72	34.45
	k₄	35.00	33.72	34.91	34.88	34.46
	R₄	0.89	1.69	0.64	0.72	0.28
	因素主次	B>A>D>C>E
	最优方案	A₄B₁C₄D₄E₂

Effects of process parameters and nano⁃SiO₂ content on cellular structure and mechanical properties of MIM polymer products

RichHTML

PDF

Knowledge

Abstract

Cite this article

share this article

Figures/Tables 10

References 13

Related Articles 15

Recommended Articles

Metrics

Comments

试验编号	泡孔直径/ μm	泡孔密度/ ×10⁵个·cm^-3	拉伸强度/ MPa	弯曲强度/ MPa
S_1⁃1	27.89	16.10	18.25	35.25
S_1⁃2	36.82	14.00	19.69	36.49
S_1⁃3	39.82	13.30	19.72	35.81
S_1⁃4	42.11	8.24	19.00	36.94
S_2⁃1	177.60	0.17	14.07	32.33
S_3⁃1	117.90	0.80	16.73	34.02
S_3⁃2	76.88	1.82	16.38	33.78
S_3⁃3	87.66	1.86	16.81	33.66
S_4⁃1	106.83	0.50	17.00	32.67
S_4⁃2	101.06	1.37	16.27	33.48
S_4⁃3	106.83	1.80	17.02	34.65
S_4⁃4	121.99	0.81	16.74	34.34

[1]	WANG Shuo, YUAN Wenbo, CHENG Yichong, ZANG Yuntao, LENG Dongliang, LI Haiyan, ZHAO Ling, HU Dongdong. Mechanical performance of branched polypropylene foams fabricated via supercritical CO₂ molding [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(9): 1-6.
[2]	LIN Minghua, WANG Hua, GUO Jianbing, ZHENG Bin, WANG Yao. Polylactic⁃lignin composites synergistically toughened with epoxy soybean oil and tung oleic anhydride [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(9): 38-43.
[3]	ZHENG Shilun, ZHOU Qiwei, LIU Bin, LIANG Xuzhi, YUAN Mingyuan. Structure and properties of hyperbranched⁃polyester⁃modified carbon nanotubes/waterborne unsaturated polyester composites [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(9): 63-67.
[4]	MIN Jiaxuan, JIANG Xueliang, YOU Feng, LU Gang. Mechanical and thermal properties of PPC/PHBV blends [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(8): 6-11.
[5]	HU Lizhou, SUN Yinghui, JIA Yingjie, WANG Qingzhou. Interlaminar interface damage and mechanical properties of glass fiber⁃reinforced plastic mortar pipe [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(8): 69-74.
[6]	SHANG Yunlong, WANG Donghao, REN Zhibin. Storage stability of wet asphalt rubber： A comprehensive review [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(8): 75-82.
[7]	WANG Zheng, XIAO Dong, HUANG Rui, SUN Xiaoqian. Effect of adding different contents of waste plastic particles on mechanical properties of concrete [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(7): 130-134.
[8]	WANG Wenhao, QIU Siyuan, LI Yajiao, SUN Jingyao, WU Daming, WANG Shuyuan, XU Hong, GAI Yunqing. Analysis of mechanical properties of RTP pipe based on progressive failure model [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(7): 44-48.
[9]	NING Dingyi, ZHAO Tianjiao, DONG Yapeng, WANG Meizhen, HAO Xinyu, WANG Bo. Research progress in blending modification for regulating crystallization and mechanical properties of poly（lactic acid） [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(6): 126-132.
[10]	ZHU Kuilin, LYU Chong, GUO Lei, CHEN Yilin, HUANG Yifeng, ZHAO Peiqi, JIANG Xueliang, YOU Feng. Study on dielectric and mechanical properties of cerium oxide⁃modified polypropylene composites [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(6): 19-23.
[11]	ZHEN Qi, QIN Zixuan, ZHANG Heng, CUI Jingqiang, WANG Guofeng, CHENG Wensheng, LI Han. Study on annealing process of polylactic acid melt blown microfibrous for medical packaging [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(6): 24-30.
[12]	ZHOU Qi, LI Quan, LI Yajing, LIU Xinan, GU Xinchun, HUANG Shouying. Rheological and mechanical properties of PPC and PLA blends [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(6): 31-35.
[13]	MA Hailong, DAI Mingxin. Research progress in applications of recycled plastic aggregates in cement concrete [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(6): 89-99.
[14]	WU Xiran, JIA Zhixin, LIU Lijun, LI Jiqiang, ZHAO Chuantao, CHEN Bojie. Analysis of mechanical properties of PP⁃CGFR/PP⁃LGFR⁃integrated over⁃molding products [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(5): 1-8.
[15]	GUO Weichao, XIN Xiaohang, ZENG Shanlin, GAO Xinqin, TANG Aofei. Effect of region segmentation printing on performance of FDM 3D printed parts [J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(5): 57-62.