Mould fouling of elastomers during injection moulding

A systematic study of mould fouling during elastomer injection moulding is presented. Moulding was undertaken principally using nitrile rubber compound and purpose built tooling with interchangeable mould inserts. Rubber metal interactions between treated and untreated Stavax steel surfaces were characterised by a variety of analytical techniques to study factors influencing the onset of mould fouling and its origins. Preliminary simulation and supporting experimental investigation suggested that the design and location of the gate influenced both mould filling pattern and the position of rubber deposition within the cavity.