Flow Leader

Differences in wall thickness cause changes in the speed of the melt front.
This can lead to air traps, weld lines, e.g..
To get a well balanced, homogenous flow behavior, increasing local wall thickness, called flow leaders, can speed up the flow front in a specific area.

Flow Leader in Plastic Industry
Flow Leader in Plastic Industry

Quality: The melt hesitates in the thin area leading to an air trap (Image 1). By adding a flow leader the thin wall is increased and the air trap gone (Image 2).

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