Micromoulding
0699101-118
[DEFINITION]
A process for obtaining the desired shape of microscopic components
after pouring a liquefied material into a mold.
[DESCRIPTION]
Micromoulding is a microforming process that uses such means as compression,
transfer, injection, and blowing to form a desired shape in a metallic
mould. Microshapes are created by feeding raw materials such as polymers
and ceramics into a mould. In the LIGA process, plastics are formed in
a metallic mould using precision moulding technology. In a typical example,
a low-viscosity plastic is degassed and fed into the vacuum mould under
high pressure to prevent bubbling and to fill small gaps completely. Heat
treatment is performed at high temperature under high pressure to cure
the plastics, to release the stress, and to compensate for shrinkage. The
plastics structures made with this reaction injection moulding technology
can be plated and used themselves as moulds to produce metallic structures.
[References]
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[Related Terms]