This research is directed to develop the science-base of the essentially empirical technology of injectio molding of rubber compounds. The research involves the condition of various engineering disciplines including polymer rheology, reaction engineering, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and polymer science. The specific tasks will include: quantitative characterization of the rubber compound by measurements of rhelogical and thermal properties, valcanization kinetics and slip boundary conditions at the solid surface; experimental and theoretical investigations of flow dynamics in the screw, the delivery system, and cavity including the postfilling stage; experimental measurements and development of wuantitative theory for characterizing the shrinkage in molded parts and frozen-in orientation and residual stresses; and experimental sutudy of anisotropy of mechanical properties of molded parts effected by processing condition and the nature of the rubber compound.
