Plastic Parts by Reactive Processing - A Technology for the Future

Traditional processing techniques such as compression molding and injection molding are and will undoubtedly continue to be primary methods for producing plastic parts for the future. They are, however, very capital intensive and energy intensive. As a result, parts fabricated by these techniques must necessarily be increasingly expensive as energy and capital costs rise. We would propose that reactive processing, which includes methods such as RIM, RTM, LIM, etc. offers very beneficial economic alternatives for a variety of parts to these more traditional processing methods. Reasons for the positive economic benefits of reactive processing compared to injection or compression molding relate to the low capital and energy requirements for these newer techniques. At present, molders have a relatively limited number of materials to choose from for use in reactive processing equipment, but work on material systems is extensive and it is predicted that a variety of new formulations will be available in the near future to satisfy a broad range of end-use requirements.