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PLASTICS ENGINEERING COMPANY POST OFFICE BOX 758

SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN 53082-0758 U.S.A PHONE 920 - 458 - 2121
F A X 920 - 458 - 1923

Philosophy of Troubleshooting Compression Molding Problems

There is no "cure-all" for eliminating molding problems. Every mold is distinctive and has
its own peculiarities, even molds which are duplicates. The same holds true for molding
presses. Therefore, what works for one mold or press may not work for another.

Problems differ with conditions such as the shop climate, material or equipment resulting in
numerous variables, many of which are not obvious and are difficult to identify. The
troubleshooting suggestions that follow have been used to successfully resolve the stated
problems. However, due to the reasons mentioned above several of them may seem to be
contradictory.

The most important things to remember are; make some reasonable adjustments, carefully
observe the results and give it time. Document the changes and keep track of the response
by comparing parts from before and after the adjustment to determine if the effect is
favorable. This will lead to other changes that should eventually produce a solution to the
problem.

Thermoset materials cure as a result of a chemical reaction. Temperature has a major role in
the speed of the reaction and to a lesser degree so do pressure and time. Therefore all three
items need to be verified before troubleshooting any molding problem.

Before troubleshooting compression molding problems - the preforms, the preheater, the
mold, and the press, need to be checked.

If problems are found they should be corrected and the parts re-evaluated before proceeding.

Preforms - Check the preform hardness using a Durometer. Take three readings per preform
being careful to avoid gaps between the granules. A reading of 50 or higher is desired.

Preheater - Clean any build up off the grid plates. Then check the actual grid height,
preheat time and general operation of the preheater. Adjust or repair as needed, then check
the preform temperature and uniformity of preheat with a calibrated pyrometer and needle
thermocouple then adjust preheater setting if necessary.

Compression 1
Mold – Don’t just read the press temperature controller. Check the actual mold temperature
and its uniformity across the entire mold face using a calibrated pyrometer and surface probe.
Compare this with what the temperature was the last time this mold was run in this press.
The temperatures should be the same or very close. If not, determine why there are
differences before starting to mold.

Press - Check actual settings for close time, breathe cycle and clamping pressure then compare
with the setting used the last time this mold ran in this press. The settings should be the same or
very close. If not, determine why there are differences before starting to mold.

Compression Processing Problems

Please NOTE the following:

• Increased cycle time should not be used as a solution for a molding problem except as
the last resort to maintain the integrity of the molded parts.

• Various processing changes are suggested as possible solutions for the different
problems encountered during the molding of thermoset parts. In general, these changes
should not exceed the recommended ranges presented in the previous sections on
compression startup procedures.

• This troubleshooting guide lists the processing problems in alphabetical order.

• For each problem, the possible solutions are listed in the order of the most frequent to
the least frequent solution for that problem.

• Change only one processing variable at a time and process a few cycles before
thoroughly evaluating the results, before changing another processing variable.

• Please keep in mind in order to resolve any given processing problem, one may need to
apply a combination of the possible solutions that are listed.

• Plenco’s Technical Service Group is available to assist you in troubleshooting

processing problems.

Compression 2
BULGE OPPOSITE INSERT - Bulges that appear on the side opposite and directly over
molded-in inserts.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Heat inserts before using.

2. Use a shorter insert.
3. Increase mold temperature.
4. Increase preheat temperature.

CURE BLISTER - Area of gas entrapment (blister) caused by not completely curing the
part before removing it from the mold. This generally shows up as a bulge on opposite sides
of the thickest cross-sectional area of the part. When broken open there will be a large void
in the center of the bulge.

POSSIBLE PREHEAT SOLUTIONS

1. Increase preheat temperature.

2. Decrease rate of preheat.
3. Increase mold temperature.
4. Change the placement of the charge
5. Decrease mold closing speed.
6. Add or change breathe cycle.
7. Increase cure time.

POSSIBLE COLD POWDER SOLUTIONS

1. Increase mold temperature.

2. Use minimum charge weight.
3. Decrease mold closing speed.
4. Add or change breathe cycle.
5. Increase cure time
6. Warm up the compound to 150°F (66°C).

Compression 3
DULL APPEARANCE - The surface of the part has a hazy or satin appearance instead of
a glossy appearance.

NOTE: Make sure part is completely filled out and mold is not stained.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Increase mold temperature.

2. Increase preheat temperature.
3. Decrease mold closing speed.
4. Check condition of mold plating and re-plate if necessary. If mold is un-
plated, polish or plate it.
5. Polish the mold.

EXCESSIVE FLASH - Parts where the flash is thicker than 0.006" (0.15 mm) or with
flash extending out into the land areas are considered to have excessive flash.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Decrease charge weight.

2. Increase preheat temperature.
3. Increase mold temperature.
4. Decrease mold closing speed.
5. Check parting line for wear or damage and correct as needed.
6. Increase clamp tonnage if possible.

FLOW LINES - Visible lines on the surface of the part that show the flow pattern of the
material as it filled the cavity.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Decrease mold temperature.

2. Decrease preheat temperature.
3. Decrease mold closing speed.

Compression 4
HARD SPOTS (PRECURE) - Slight bumps on the surface of the part that are usually
uneven, pointed, and rough and have definite outlines.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Speed up the placement of the charge.

2. Change the placement of the charge.
3. Increase mold closing speed.
4. Decrease mold temperature.

MOLD STAINS - A buildup of volatiles on the molding surface that will cause that
surface area of the part to be dull and pit marked. This can eventually
lead to part discoloration and parts sticking in the mold.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Check mold venting and correct as needed. (See Section #13,

"Thermoset Compression Mold Design Tips”)
2. Polish the mold.
3. Increase preheat temperature.
4. Increase mold temperature.
5. Decrease mold closing speed.

MOTTLED SURFACE APPEARANCE - A non-uniform coloring or texture on the surface

of the part.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Increase charge weight.

2. Decrease preheat temperature.
3. Decrease mold temperature.
4. Add or change breath cycle.

NONFILLS OR SHORT SHOTS - Areas of surface porosity due to parts not being
completely filled out.

Compression 5
 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Increase charge weight.

2. Increase preheat temperature.
3. Increase mold closing speed.
4. Decrease mold temperature.
5. Check mold venting and correct as needed. (See Section #13 "Thermoset
Compression Mold Design Tips")

ORANGE PEEL - Surface appearance which looks like an undersurface craze or

numerous small ripples and resembles the skin of an orange.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Decrease mold closing speed.

2. Increase preheat temperature.
3. Increase mold temperature.

SHRINKAGE - There are two problems which will cause a part to not meet its
dimensional requirements, the part has excessive shrinkage (undersize) or
the part has insufficient shrinkage (oversize).

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR EXCESSIVE SHRINKAGE (UNDERSIZE)

1. Increase mold temperature.

2. Increase preheat temperature.
3. Check mold venting and correct as needed.(See Section #13,
"Thermoset Compression Mold Design Tips”)
4. Increase cure time.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR INSUFFICIENT SHRINKAGE (OVERSIZE)

1. Decrease mold temperature.

2. Check mold venting and correct as needed. (See Section #13,
"Thermoset Compression Mold Design Tips")
3. Decrease cure time.

SINK MARKS - Slight depressions on the surface of the part that resemble dimples.

Compression 6
 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Increase charge weight.

2. Increase mold temperature.
3. Increase mold closing speed.
4. Check mold venting and correct as needed (See Section #13, "Thermoset
Compression Mold Design Tips")

SKIN BLISTERS - Small areas of gas entrapment (blisters) on the surface of the part that
when broken open, appear to have occurred just under the "skin" of the part. They are
generally spaced randomly about the surface of the part and many times will appear on only
one surface.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Decrease mold closing speed.

2. Add or change breathe cycle.
3. Increase charge weight.
4. Decrease mold temperature.
5. Check mold venting and correct as needed.(See Section #13, "Thermoset
Compression Mold Design Tips")

STICKING IN MOLD - Part will not release from the cavity and a piece or all of the part
will remain stuck until it is manually removed.

Please Note: When molding single stage phenolic molding compounds or granular
thermoset polyester compounds, Plenco recommends that the mold be
chrome plated, since these materials have a tendency to stick to non-chromed
surfaces.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Check mold for wear and correct as needed.

2. Increase mold temperature.
3. Decrease charge weight.
4. Check condition of mold plating and re-plate if necessary. If mold is un-
plated, polish or plate it.
5. Increase cure time.

TRAPPED GAS (BURN MARK) - A porous, dull, discolored and sometimes scorched
area on the surface of a part.

Compression 7
 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Check mold venting and correct as needed.(See Section #13,

"Thermoset Compression Mold Design Tips")
2. Decrease preheat temperature.
3. Increase mold closing speed.
4. Decrease mold temperature.

WARPAGE - Part is twisted or warped rather than straight or flat. This can occur when
ejected from the mold or after cooling.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR PART WARPAGE WHEN EJECTED FROM MOLD

1. Check mold for wear and correct as needed.

2. Check condition of mold plating and re-plate if necessary. If mold is un-
plated, polish or plate it.
3. Add undercuts to hold part until properly ejected.
4. Increase cure time
5. Increase mold temperature.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR PART WARPAGE AFTER COOLING

1. Increase mold temperature.

2. Increase preheat temperature.
3. Check mold venting and correct as needed.(See Section #13,
"Thermoset Compression Mold Design Tips")
4. Increase cure time.
5. Use a shrink fixture.

Date Printed: November 10, 2015

Date Revised: March 17,
2015
Supersedes Revision Dated: February 6, 2001

This information is suggested as a guide to those interested in processing Plenco Thermoset molding materials. The
information presented is for your evaluation and may or may not be compatible for all mold designs, runner
systems, press configurations, and material rheology. Please feel free to call Plenco with any questions about
PLENCO molding materials or processing and a Technical Service Representative will assist you.

Compression 8