Transcription of Small Surface Structures in Injection Molding - an Experimental Study

The ability to replicate the surface roughness from mold wall to the plastic part in injection moldning has many functional and cosmetic important implications from medical use to designer products. Generally the understanding of surface transcription i.e the the replication of the surface structure from the mould to plastic part, also relates to micro injection moulding and moulding of parts with specific micro structures on the surface such as optical parts.

The present study concerns transcription of surface roughness as a function of process parameters. The study is carried out with a polystyrene part, process parameters at typical levels and a rough spark eroded mould surface with Ra=12.6 micro meters.