Glossary

Synthetic material made from a wide range of organic polymers such as polyethylene, PVC, nylon, etc., which can be molded into shape while soft and then set into a rigid or slightly elastic form. Easily shaped or molded (in science and technology) relating to the permanent deformation to a solid without fracture by the temporary application of force.

Material which contains as an essential ingredient a high polymer and which at some stage in its processing into finished products can be shaped by flow.

Forming process of a material using a die or a mold, by applying pressure and, usually, heat. Molding is generally associated to serial production as the same object can be reproduced many times from a same mold.

Molding techniques are often used for composite fabricating. The most well-know are: powder molding, contact molding, cold molding, compression molding, injection molding, transfer molding, bag molding, centrifugal casting.

The shaping of rubber or plastic articles by injecting heated material into a mold.

The process of molding a material by injection under pressure from a heated cylinder through a spire (runner, gate) into the cavity of a closed mold.

Injection molding is the most widely used method of thermoplastics transformation.

Denoting substances (especially synthetic resins) which become plastic when heated.

Union of several molecules of the same monomer compound to form larger molecules and thus originate a new compound of higher molecular weight.

A molecule that can be linked to other identical molecules to form a polymer.

A substance with a molecular structure formed from many identical small molecules bonded together.

A chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units.