How to Increase the Brightness of ABS Injection Molded Parts?

The reasons for poor gloss of plastic parts can be considered from mold, injection molding process, raw materials, etc. The followings are the ways to increase the brightness of ABS injection molded parts.

01 Injection mold

1.1 Mold cavity

If the mold cavity is poorly processed and has defects like scars, micro-holes, abrasion, roughness, etc., it will inevitably reflect on the plastic parts. Therefore, we should carefully process the mold for the less roughness of cavity surface. It can be polished and chrome plated if necessary.
If there are oil stains, water stains on the surface of the cavity or too much release agent, the surface of the plastic parts will be dark and dull. Thus, we should remove the oil stains and water stains in time and use the release agent in a limited amount.

1.2 Demolding angle

The demolding angle of the plastic part is too small, causing the demolding difficulty. Or the force applied during demolding is too large. The surface of the plastic part will have a poor gloss. So we should increase the demolding angle.

1.3 Mold exhaust

If the mold exhaust is poor, too much gas will stay in the mold, which will also cause poor gloss. Then, we should check and correct the mold exhaust system.

1.4 Cross-sectional area of the gate or runner

If the cross-sectional area of the gate or runner is too small or changes suddenly, the shear force will be very large when the melt flows in it. And it will flow in turbulent dynamics, resulting in poor gloss. For this, we should appropriately enlarge the cross-sectional area of the gate and runner.

02 Injection molding process

2.1 Injection speed

If the injection speed is too small and the surface of the plastic part is not dense, causing poor gloss. For this, we should increase the injection speed appropriately.

2.2 Cooling system

For thick-walled plastic parts, if the cooling is not sufficient, the surface will be hairy and the gloss will be dark. Therefore, we should improve the cooling system.
For plastic parts made of crystalline resin, like PE, PP, POM, etc., uneven cooling will cause poor gloss. For this, we should improve the cooling system to make it evenly cooled.

2.3 Holding pressure and holding time

The holding pressure is insufficient and the holding time is too short. Then, the density of the plastic part will be insufficient, causing poor gloss. For this, we should increase the holding pressure and holding time.

2.4 Melt temperature

If the melt temperature is too low, the fluidity will be poor and it is easy to cause poor gloss. So we should increase the melt temperature appropriately.

2.5 Gate cross-sectional area

If the injection speed is too high and the gate cross-sectional area is too small, the pouring product will be dark and poor in gloss. For this, we can reduce the injection speed appropriately and increase the gate cross-sectional area.

03 Raw materials

3.1 Particle size

The large difference in the particle size of the raw materials makes it difficult to plasticize uniformly. For this, we should screen the raw materials.

3.2 Recycled materials or nozzle materials

Too much recycled materials or nozzle materials are added in the raw materials, which will affect the uniform plasticization of the melt and cause poor gloss. For this, we should reduce the amount of recycled materials or nozzle materials.

3.3 Materials with better temperature resistance

Some raw materials will decompose and change color during temperature adjustment and cause poor gloss. For this, we should use materials with better temperature resistance.

3.4 Material Pre-drying

The overly high content of moisture or volatile matter in the raw material volatilizes into gas when heated. And then condenses in the cavity and melt, resulting in poor gloss. So we should pre-dry the raw material.

3.5 Additives

The poor dispersibility of some additives causes poor gloss. For this, we should use additives with better flow properties.

3.6 Foreign matter

The raw materials are mixed with foreign matter, miscellaneous materials or incompatible materials. And they cannot be uniformly mixed with the raw materials, causing poor gloss. For this, these miscellaneous materials should be strictly excluded in advance.

3.7 Lubricant

If the amount of lubricant is too small, the fluidity of the melt will be poor. Then, the surface of the plastic part will not be dense, resulting in poor gloss. For this, we should increase the amount of lubricant appropriately.

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