The science of the flow behavior and deformation of materials, particularly polymer melts in processing is called rheology. In the plastics industry, rheology is crucial for understanding viscosity, shear thinning, and the elongational behavior of polymer melts. Rheological properties significantly influence processes such as injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding, as they determine the material’s flowability and formability. Factors such as temperature, shear rate, and polymer molecular structure play a key role in the rheology of plastics. Rheological measurements help optimize processing parameters and ensure the quality of final products. A solid understanding of rheology helps to prevent flow-related issues and enables the production of precise and high-quality plastic parts.

Rheology in Injection Molding


Plastic: Image of a rheometer for measuring rheological parameters


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This glossary of plastic industry is provided by PLEXPERT Canada Inc.