Mould is the main equipment for forming FRP products. Moulds can be divided into steel, aluminum, cement, rubber, paraffin, FRP and other types according to the material. FRP molds have become the most commonly used molds in the hand lay-up FRP process because of their easy forming, easy availability of raw materials, low cost, short manufacturing cycle and easy maintenance.
The surface requirements of FRP molds and other plastic molds are the same, and usually the surface of the mold is one level higher than the surface finish of the product. The better the mold surface, the shorter the molding time and post-processing time of the product, the better the surface quality of the product, and the longer the service life of the mold. After the mold is delivered for use, in order to maintain the surface quality of the mold, the maintenance of the mold must be done well. Mold maintenance includes: cleaning the mold surface, cleaning the mold, repairing damage, and polishing the mold. Timely and effective maintenance of the mold is the ultimate starting point for mold maintenance. In addition, the correct maintenance method of the mold is the key. The following table shows different maintenance methods and corresponding maintenance results.
Different maintenance methods for different molds are as follows
①New molds or molds that have not been used for a long time
First of all, clean and inspect the surface of the mold, and perform necessary repairs on the damaged and unreasonable parts of the mold. Next, use a solvent to clean the mold surface, and then use a polishing machine and polishing paste to polish the mold surface once or twice after drying. Finish waxing and polishing three times in a row, then wax again, and polish again before use.
②The mold in use
First of all, ensure that the mold is waxed and polished every three times, and the parts that are easily damaged and difficult to demould should be waxed and polished before each use. Secondly, for a layer of foreign matter (may be polyphenylene or wax) that is easy to appear on the surface of the mold that has been used for a long time, it must be cleaned in time. Gently scrape off), and the scrubbed part is demolded according to the new mold.
③In the broken mold
For molds that cannot be repaired in time, you can use wax blocks and other materials that are easily deformed and will not affect the curing of the gel coat to fill and protect the damaged parts of the mold, and continue to use. For those that can be repaired in time, the damaged part must be repaired first, and the repaired part must be cured by not less than 4 people (at 25 °C). The repaired part must be polished, polished and demolded before it can be put into use.
The normal and correct maintenance of the mold surface determines the service life of the mold, the stability of the surface quality of the product, and the stability of the production, so there must be a good habit of mold maintenance.
Post time: Feb-22-2022
