Introduction
What is shrinkage rate?
Shrinkage rate is a physical property of the plastic material itself. When the plastic material is heated to a molten state and injected into the mold, it naturally shrinks in volume during the cooling and solidification process.
Different plastic materials have different shrinkage rates. For example, commonly used ABS plastic has a shrinkage rate of approximately 0.5%, while highly crystalline engineering plastics like POM (polyethylene methyl methacrylate) can have a shrinkage rate as high as 2%.
To ensure the final product’s dimensions perfectly match your design drawings, experienced engineers will pre-design the mold dimensions for shrinkage compensation based on your selected plastic material during the initial mold design phase. This means the mold cavity is intentionally made slightly larger than the target dimensions to precisely offset the shrinkage of the material as it cools.
Why is mold temperature important?
Mold temperature is a critical parameter that must be precisely controlled during the injection molding process. It refers to the surface temperature of the mold cavity during the injection process.
Each plastic material has its optimal processing temperature range, encompassing both the temperature of the heating pipe and the temperature of the mold itself. Complex cooling circuits are designed within the mold to precisely control the mold temperature during production.
The correct mold temperature ensures that the molten plastic flows optimally, filling every corner of the mold cavity and cooling at the appropriate rate, resulting in the best possible finished product appearance, dimensional stability, and mechanical strength. This requires professional setting and adjustment by experienced technicians based on the material properties and product structure.
Conclusion
In summary, shrinkage and mold temperature aren’t adjustable options; rather, they are physical properties determined by the very nature of the plastic material you choose. A professional manufacturing partner will factor these complex variables into the mold design and production parameter setting phases early in the project, performing precise calculations and controls to ensure that every injection-molded part consistently meets your desired quality standards.

