Thermoforming and its Applications, A Review

Document Type : compile

Authors

Azad Eslamic University, Science and Technology Branch, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

One of the most important and widely used methods in the processing of polymers is thermoforming. This method with its unique specifications has found a special place in various industries, especially in the packaging industry.In many applications, new methods of thermoforming have been developed to achieve the final product with the desired geometry.The basic principles of the thermoforming process and its various methods, the advantages and limitations of this process, recent advances in machinery and the application of thermoformingin the manufacture of automotive parts are some of the items reviewed in this article.The advantages of this widely used process are the low price of equipment, especially molds, short timeof production, economic process for low-capacity production and production of parts with different dimensions and thickness.Compression processing, vacuumthermoforming, snap-back and drape thermoforming, matched die molding, plug-assisted, freeshaping, two layer molding are different types of thermoforming processes.Manufacture of composite parts by using fiber or particles or nano reinforced thermoplastics sheets are the area which still needs more research and developments.

Keywords


1. Schwarzmann P. and Illig A .,i Thermoforming A Practical Guide, Hanser, Germany, 8-10, 2001.
2. Mosaddegh P. and Ghobadnam M., Practical Guide of Thermoforming Process (Persian), Hamrahelme, Iran, 20-23,
2017.
3. Schwarzmann P. and Illig A., Thermoforming A Practical Guide, Hanser, Germany, 12-15, 2001.
4. https://b2n.ir/732123), January 2019.
5. Engelmann S. and Salmangg R., Advanced Thermoforming, John Wiley and Sons, New York, USA, 5-8, 2012.
6. Himmelblau D.M. and Riggs J.B., Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering, 8th ed., Prentice Hall,
USA, Chapt. 2, 1963.
7. Cha J., Kim M., Park D., and Go J.S., Experimental Determination of the Viscoelastic Parameters of K-BKZ
Model and the Influence of Temperature Field on the Thickness Distribution of ABS Thermoforming, Int. J. Adv.
Manuf. Technol., 103, 985–995, 2019.
8. plastico.com/temas/Instalacion-de-termoformado 9. Yang W. and Thomas S., Advances in Polymer Processing,
Woodhead, Cambridge, Chap. 3, 2009.
10. Mosaddegh P. and Ghobadnam M., Practical Guide of Thermoforming Process (Persian), Hamrahelme, Iran, 32, 2017.
11. Throne J.L., Understanding Thermoforming, Hanser, Munich, Germany, 129-151, 2008.
12. Mohan T.P., and Kanny K., Thermoforming Studies of Cornstarch-Derived Biopolymer Film Filled with Nanoclays,
J. Plast. Film Sheeting, 32, 163–188, 2015.
13. Wittmann L.M., Wolf M., and Drummer D., Influence of an Increased Fiber Filler Content on the Elongation Behavior
of Filled Films in the Thermoforming Process, Am. J. Mech. Mater. Eng., 3, 25-35, 2019.
14. Manas D., Ovsik M., Mizera A., Manas M., Hylova L., Bednarik M., and Stanek M., The Effect of Irradiation on
Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Selected Types of Polymers, Polymers, 10, 158, 2018. doi: 10.3390/
polym10020158
15. Behrens B., Raatz A., Hübner S., Bonk C., Bohne F., Bruns C., and Micke-Camuz M., Automated Stamp Forming of
Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics for Complex Shell Geometries, Procedia CIRP, 66, 113–118, 2017.
16. Mohammadian Gazaz S., Azizi H., Karrabi M., and Ghasemi I., Investigation on Properties of CaCO3-filled Polypropylene
for Thermoforming Application, Iran. J. Polym. Sci. Technol. (Persian), 19, 195-201, 2006.
17. Caravan Industry, http://www.senoplast.com.mx/en/applications/ automotive-vehicle-technology/caravan-industry, Available in 3 January 2020.
18. k-online.com/vis/v1/en/exhibitors/k2019.2585339, October 2019.
19. Medical Device Thermoforming, http://www.gregstrom.com/
medical-device-thermoforming, Available in 3 January 2020.
20. http://www.gnplastics.com/news.asp?ID=12, Available in 3
January 2020.