Laser-micromachining of molds to fabricate easy-flow polymeric surfaces

对模具进行激光微加工以制造易流动的聚合物表面

• 批准号: 492185-2015
• 负责人: Kietzig, AnneMarie
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Engage Grants Program
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=587199
• 关键词: Laser; micromachining; molds; fabricate; easy

IPL Inc., founded in 1939 in Québéc, is a leading North American manufacturer of injection-molded plastic products including thin-wall overcaps and containers. Two major markets for IPL are food packaging and organic waste composting containers. Both types of containers are subject to problems related to their contents sticking to the walls, such as food being wasted and bad odors arising due to fouling. With this collaborative project we plan to proof that non-stick, self-emptying containers can be produced through molding the polymer with a laser-micromachined steel mold. Imparting a microstructure through laser-machining onto metals is a well understood method developed in Prof. Kietzig's lab. By using a laser-structured metal mold to form plastics, we expect to imprint the inverse pattern onto the polymer surface. By careful design of the surface structure, self-cleaning and self-emptying properties are expected to result on the polymer product. We will laser machine five different surface structures on steel substrates, which will subsequently be used to mold two different polymer resins. We will assess the surface quality of the mold and the polymer products by microscopy techniques and perform contact angle measurements to assess the self-cleaning behavior. Thus this project will enable IPL Inc to make an informed investment decision for its endeavour to revolutionize the bulk packaging market with easy-flow containers. Aside from the competitive advantage gained by IPL through this novel technique, the implementation of such surfaces will considerably reduce additional container handling steps, wasting remaining product in containers and thus contribute to a greener Canada.

IPL Inc.，成立于1939年在魁北克，是一家领先的北美注塑塑料制造商， 产品包括薄壁顶盖和容器。IPL的两个主要市场是食品包装和 有机废物堆肥容器。这两种类型的集装箱都会遇到与其内容有关的问题 粘附在墙壁上，例如浪费食物和由于污垢而产生的难闻气味。 有了这个合作项目，我们计划证明，不粘，自排空容器可以生产 通过用激光微加工钢模具模制聚合物。赋予微观结构， 在金属上进行激光加工是Kietzig教授实验室开发的一种众所周知的方法。通过使用 激光结构的金属模具来形成塑料，我们期望将相反的图案压印到聚合物表面上。 通过精心设计的表面结构，自清洁和自排空性能，预计将导致 聚合物产品。我们将在钢基材上激光加工五种不同的表面结构， 随后用于模制两种不同的聚合物树脂。我们将评估模具的表面质量， 并进行接触角测量，以评估聚合物产品的 自清洁行为。因此，该项目将使IPL公司能够为其投资做出明智的投资决策。 努力用易流动容器彻底改变散装包装市场。除了竞争力 IPL通过这种新技术获得的优势，这种表面的实现将大大 减少额外的容器处理步骤，浪费容器中剩余的产品，从而有助于 绿色加拿大