The New Jersey Institute of Technology's
Electronic Theses & Dissertations Project

Title:	An analysis of the heating and densification process during rotational molding of a thermoplastic powder in a uniaxially rotating cylindrical cavity
Author:	Ribe, Floyd Steven
View Online:	njit-etd1985-005 (xi, 181 pages ~ 10.0 MB pdf)
Department:	Department of Mechanical Engineering
Degree:	Doctor of Engineering Science
Program:	Mechanical Engineering
Document Type:	Dissertation
Advisory Committee:	Progelhof, Richard C. (Committee chair) Droughton, John Vincent (Committee member) Sun, Benedict C. (Committee member) Pawel, Hans E. (Committee member) Kopf, Joseph Ellis (Committee member)
Date:	1985
Keywords:	Plastics--Molding Thermoplastics
Availability:	Unrestricted
Abstract:	This dissertation presents the results of an experimental and theoretical investigation of the heating and densification portion of the rotational molding process in a uniaxial, cylindrical mold. A thorough literature survey is included which reviewed past analysis of the rotational molding process and other areas that assisted in understanding of the process. The results presented in this dissertation included an analysis of the densification process by use of Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) photography producing intermediate correlations between the physical properties of the densifying material and neck radius of adjacent coalescing spheres. In addition, a hybrid experimental procedure coupled with a small computer simulation was devised to determine the actual initial thermal conductivity and diffusivity of the powdered polymeric material. Finally, a computer program was written to simulate the heating and densification process during the rotational molding process. Results showed good agreement with actual experimental findings.