EPOXY SYNTACTIC FOAMS FOR USE AS PLUG ASSISTS IN HEAVY GAUGE THERMOFORMING

摘要

Traditionally, heavy gauge thermoformers have used plugs/pushers made of wood and felt covered wood to improve material distribution and quality of parts. However, newer materials, especially multilayer structures, can be difficult to form with traditional plug/pusher materials. The performance of epoxy syntactic foams as plug assist materials for heavy gauge thermoforming was evaluated and compared to that of wood.