Anatomy of a Plastics Component.

This paper deals with the microtome-section technology as a means of quality control for finished plastics components. During three years of experience, this relatively recent test method has proved to be a valuable aid in determining structural defects and their sources. It was found, for example, that a great difference between injection pressure and holding pressure results in a considerable decrease of the mechanical property level of various plastics. A total of six different tests are used to explain, and photographically represent, how correctly interpreted microtome sections give quick and reliable information about the quality of a plastics component and in many cases help in solving problems with plastics. On account of injection molding experiments, the archived pictures, together with the particular processing parameters, facilitate the evaluation of the microsections.