All-Around Player

“Depending on how the mold is designed, the injection molding process can produce very complex geometries and varying wall thicknesses from a single primary material,” explained Matthias Hauer, an expert in plastics processing at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. “The plastic parts are literally all of a piece – for example, a reinforcement ring that would have to be welded on in an additional step can be integrated directly into the component using injection molding.” With the right combination of material properties and geometries, a plastic part can then take over various functions. Reinforced areas, for example, can absorb mechanical stresses from dynamic parts such as rotating shafts. Sealing requirements can be met with other features.

The integration of functions offers many advantages: For one thing, fewer parts are needed, which can reduce weight and costs. For another, the production and assembly of systems are simplified and the related processes become less complex and prone to failure.

It All Comes Down to the Mixture

This is all related to the fact that Freudenberg Sealing Technologies material developers adapt the characteristics of the material exactly to a part’s function and range of use. This involves changing the properties of the basic material – a thermoplastic, for example – with the help of fillers and additives, among other measures. For instance, if a component in a particular location is exposed to especially strong friction, the developers add agents that improve abrasion resistance. This turns a component into an all-around player like a Swiss Army knife.

Plastics are our current focus. On single-use plastic as a burden on society – and how we can deal with the problem. And on the question of whether plastic can be a solution.
You can find more on the topic “Plastic – Breakthrough and Burden” in the latest edition of our magazine ESSENTIAL.