CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

FOR WARPED PARTS

The information presented in this document was assembled from literature of the resin product producer(s). The information is believed to be accurate however Entec Polymers (“Entec”) makes no representations as to its accuracy and assumes no obligation or liability for the information, including without limitation its content, any advice giv-
10/1/2020 en, or the results obtained. ENTEC DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The customer shall use its own independent skill and expertise in the evaluation of the resin. product to determine suitability for a particular application and accepts the results at its sole risk.

E N T E C P O LY M E R S | 1 9 0 0 S u m m i t To w e r B l v d . , S u i t e 9 0 0 | Orlando, FL 32810 | P: 833.609.5703 | EntecPolymers.com

 CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS FOR WARPED PARTS

Entec Rotational Molding materials are designed for optimized processability and properties in rotational molding. Our materials are designed to
yield consistent material, box-to-box and shipment-to shipment.

Because of the diversity of items made by the rotational molding process and the different types of rotational molding machines and molds used,
it is impossible to establish a universal, optimum molding condition that is perfect for all circumstances. Entec can provide recommendations for
initial starting conditions and guidelines for adjustments to the process conditions to help optimize the process settings for the particular part
being molded. In order to optimize the properties, it is necessary to use proper molding conditions to mold the parts.

Proper venting will allow the part to be...

Mold venting is
critical to good Heated Cooled
part quality.
at atmospheric pressure which will eliminate
blowholes at the parting line.

Proper venting will prolong the contact of the cooling part with the inner surface of the mold, resulting in a shorter cooling cycle and lower
post-mold warpage. Lower pressure differential also results in longer mold life. In general, mold vents of sufficient size and number will allow
equalization of the inner mold pressure. Vent tubes should extend to the center of the mold. The inside end of the vent tube should be loosely
packed with a filter media to prevent the uncured powder from exiting the mold early in the heating cycle. In order to be efficient, the vent tubes
must be kept clean. If the filter media becomes clogged with plastic the vent tube will no longer function to equalize pressure. This can cause parts
to warp. Below is a more detailed list of possible causes and solutions to warpage in rotational molded parts.

The information presented in this document was assembled from literature of the resin product producer(s). The information is believed to be accurate however Entec Polymers (“Entec”) makes no representations as to its accuracy and assumes no obligation or liability for the information, including without limitation its content, any advice giv-
10/1/2020 en, or the results obtained. ENTEC DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The customer shall use its own independent skill and expertise in the evaluation of the resin. product to determine suitability for a particular application and accepts the results at its sole risk.

E N T E C P O LY M E R S | 1 9 0 0 S u m m i t To w e r B l v d . , S u i t e 9 0 0 | Orlando, FL 32810 | P: 833.609.5703 | EntecPolymers.com

 CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS FOR WARPED PARTS

POSSIBLE CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS FOR WARPED PARTS:

1 INADEQUATE VENTING:
Provide adequate venting 3/8” - 1/2” diameter vent per ft3 of molded volume is suggested for thin walled parts.

2 NON-UNIFORM COOLING OF PART CAUSED BY RESIN PULLING AWAY FROM MOLD: Rotate mold during cooling cycle. Provide
adequate venting and make sure vents are not clogged. Use less mold release. Check for too effective mold release agent. Avoid large flat
panels in part design if possible. Reduce cooling rate during initial part cooling cycle. Increase the cooling medium temperature, air cool, and
then water cool. Apply low psi air pressure through spine during cooling.
NON-UNIFORM COOLING CAUSED BY SECTIONS OF THE MOLD BEING SHIELDED FROM HEAT & COOLING MEDIUM: Mount mold
3
to eliminate shielding problems, add baffles to direct heat and cooling into recessed or shielded areas.

UNEVEN COOLING CAUSED BY CLOGGED WATER NOZZLES:

4
Check and clean nozzles on a periodic schedule.

OVER-CURED PART. DEGRADATION OF THE RESIN DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE AND/OR EXCESSIVELY LONG HEATING CYCLE:
5
Decrease oven temperature or heating time.

HIGHLY UNDER-CURED PART. SOME DEGREE OF UNDER-CURE IS ADVISABLE ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF LOW MELT-INDEX
6
RESINS TO PREVENT DEGRADATION, HOWEVER HIGHLY UNDER CURED PARTS CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF IMPACT
STRENGTH: Increase oven temperature or total heating time. Increase heat transfer coefficient, e.g. steel or aluminum.

IMPROPER COLORING:
7
Select pigment and pigment loading that does not affect resin.

RESIN TYPE:
8
Use proper resin having adequate melt index and molecular weight distribution for application.

MOISTURE ON RESIN OR PIGMENT:

9
Only use dry powder and/or pigment.

MOLD PARTING LINE BUILDUP: Poor parting line fit of the mold will cause plastic to build up between the surfaces and lock molded parts
10
to the mold in those specific areas and not other areas during cooling. This causes the part to be held in place during the cooling cycle in
that location and in other areas the part is allowed to release properly. The result is a part that has warped areas and is dimensionally off as
it’s not allowed to evenly release.
The information presented in this document was assembled from literature of the resin product producer(s). The information is believed to be accurate however Entec Polymers (“Entec”) makes no representations as to its accuracy and assumes no obligation or liability for the information, including without limitation its content, any advice giv-
10/1/2020 en, or the results obtained. ENTEC DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The customer shall use its own independent skill and expertise in the evaluation of the resin. product to determine suitability for a particular application and accepts the results at its sole risk.

E N T E C P O LY M E R S | 1 9 0 0 S u m m i t To w e r B l v d . , S u i t e 9 0 0 | Orlando, FL 32810 | P: 833.609.5703 | EntecPolymers.com