Solid-Phase Forming of Thermoplastics

The shaping of plastic billets below the melting point has been found to offer several advantages over the conventional melt forming processes. The most important advantages are high forming speed, improved toughness of formed parts, the capability for making very thick parts, and inexpensive tools.

The processes discussed here are forging and rubber-pad forming; but these are only two of many commercially feasible solid-phase forming techniques.