Ductile Cast Iron Stationary Platen: The Backbone of Injection Molding Machines
Injection molding machines are used for manufacturing various plastic products, ranging from toys to automotive parts. The molded products are highly precise and consistent in shape, size, and quality. The backbone of an injection molding machine is its stationary platen, which provides a rigid base for clamping the mold and injecting the molten plastic. The platen material must be strong, durable, and capable of withstanding high pressure and temperature. Ductile cast iron is an ideal choice for stationary platens due to its excellent strength, toughness, and machinability.
What is Ductile Cast Iron?
Ductile cast iron, also known as nodular cast iron, is a type of iron alloy that contains carbon, silicon, and other alloying elements. The unique feature of ductile cast iron is its ability to form spherical graphite nodules during solidification, which improve its toughness, ductility, and fatigue resistance. Ductile cast iron offers numerous benefits over other types of cast iron, such as gray cast iron, including higher tensile strength, elongation, impact resistance, and machinability.
Why Choose Ductile Cast Iron for Stationary Platens?
Stationary platens are subjected to high stresses and temperatures during the injection molding process. The platen material must withstand these conditions without deforming, cracking, or warping. Ductile cast iron is an ideal choice for stationary platens due to the following reasons:
1. High Strength: Ductile cast iron has a tensile strength of 600-800 MPa, which is much higher than gray cast iron (150-300 MPa) and aluminum (150 MPa). This high strength ensures that the platen can withstand the clamping force and injection pressure without breaking or bending.
2. Excellent Toughness: Ductile cast iron has a high elongation (10-30%) and impact strength (40-70 J), which means it can absorb shocks and vibrations without cracking or fracturing. This toughness is important for preventing fatigue failure and ensuring a long service life.
3. Stable Dimensional Stability: Ductile cast iron has a low coefficient of thermal expansion (6-8 μm/m-K), which means it expands and contracts less with temperature changes than other materials. This dimensional stability ensures that the platen maintains its shape and size during the molding cycle, which is crucial for achieving consistent product quality.
4. Machinability: Ductile cast iron is easy to machine, which means it can be customized to the exact specifications of the molding machine. The platen can be drilled, tapped, milled, and ground with high accuracy and finish, which ensures a perfect fit and alignment with the mold and the machine.
Custom Fabrication Services for Ductile Cast Iron Stationary Platens
At Jiabang Foundry, we specialize in custom fabrication services for ductile cast iron stationary platens for injection molding machines. Our skilled team of engineers and technicians can design, manufacture, and deliver stationary platens of various sizes and shapes, weighing up to 10,000 kg. We use advanced casting techniques, such as sand casting and lost foam casting, to ensure high-quality and consistent platens with minimal defects and porosity. We also offer paint finishing services for the stationary platens, as per customers' requests. Our stationary platens are certified by ISO9001:2008 for quality assurance and compliance.
Conclusion
Ductile cast iron stationary platens are the backbone of injection molding machines, providing a rigid base for clamping the mold and injecting the molten plastic. The benefits of ductile cast iron, including high strength, toughness, dimensional stability, and machinability, make it an ideal material for stationary platens. At Jiabang Foundry, we offer custom fabrication services for ductile cast iron stationary platens, ensuring high-quality and long-lasting products for our customers.