The duration that the plastic melt takes to travel from the plasticizing unit to the cavity of an injection mold is called residence time.
It is influenced by the size of the hot runner relative to the part, as well as by the cylinder volume and shot weight. A long residence time can occur when a large cylinder is used for small shot weights, potentially leading to thermal degradation of the material. If the residence time is too short, incompletely melted or unprocessed material may enter the cavity. An optimal residence time is crucial for part quality, ensuring uniform material processing and stable production. Excessive temperatures and shear stresses during prolonged residence times can cause material degradation, discoloration, or mechanical weakening. Precisely adjusting the residence time is therefore essential for maintaining the quality and durability of plastic components.
Related topics:
