Process description
The RIM process consists of injection of a monomer mixture (a final compound containing all additives) directly into a production mould where the compound polymerizes under specific conditions. After termination of the polymerization process the finished product is demoulded (taken out of the mould). Since a monomer (not polymer) is injected into the mould, there are virtually neither internal stresses nor “weld marks” (weld lines) in the products.
PU-RIM
Reaction injection moulding of the PU-RIM system allows to manufacture large size products free from residual stress with variable filler content.
Rigid solid PU-RIM
Materials with tensile modulus of about 2000 MPa and a recommended wall thickness of about 4 mm. The materials are suitable for e.g. housings of devices and a variety of covers where impact loads at low temperatures are not very high.
Elastic solid PU-RIM
Materials exhibiting tensile modulus of about 1000 MPa, mostly filled with fibrous fillers, having a recommended wall thickness of about 3 to 4 mm. They are intended primarily for components of trucks and commercial vehicles.
Rigid unfilled integral PU foams
Comparatively hard materials (tensile modulus of up to about 1800 MPa) with product density of up to 0.9 g/cm3 and a minimum wall thickness of 5 mm suitable for exterior as well as interior automotive components, various covers, medical equipment parts, etc.
Modified rigid integral PU foams
Modified with special additives types. According to the additive type used certain properties can be modified, for instance flammability. Non-flammable rigid foams are finding an increasing application in, for instance, components for mass transport vehicles, products used in conference halls, cinemas, etc.
Urethane-polyurea systems
Special materials having tensile modulus of about 1000 MPa and a minimum wall thickness below 2 mm; they are intended for manufacture of exterior parts of passenger cars, such as bumpers, side bars, etc. Some types of these systems can be painted in a continuous process in automobile factories.
To sum up, with respect to the technology the most advantageous is to use PU-RIM for manufacture of large products in medium series.
Product examples:
Hard integral foams - Passenger vehicles
Compact systems - Covers
Soft PU - Engine covers, handles
PA-RIM (Nyrim)
NYRIM® is a polymeric system of a polyamide type featuring:
- unique toughness
- variable stiffness
- high abrasion resistance
- low friction coefficient
- excellent flex resistance
- very good chemical resistance
Furthermore, the product properties can be modified using various additives, such as fillers, lubricants, flame retarders, agents protecting the material against atmospheric effects, etc.
Key features:
- no sink marks are generated on the A surface against the ribs on the B-surface
- thick sections and variable wall thickness can be easily produced
- in-mass colored, so painting is unnecessary
Product examples:
| Passenger vehicles - Exterior body parts | Trucks - Exterior body part |
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| Busses - Conzoles | Busses - Exterior body parts |
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| Industrial - valve guard | Industrial - Pully |
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DCPD-RIM (Telene)
Telene® DCPD (Dicyclopentadiene) is highly engineered thermoset great for production of large area body panels for truck, agricultural and earth moving equipment, industrial applications and many others.
pDCPD RIM features:
- possibility to manufacture injection moulded components having a thickness ranging from several millimetres to hundreds of millimetres
- high modulus polymer making use of fillers unnecessary
- high impact resistance, even at high temperatures
- dimensional stability at increased temperatures
- excellent chemical resistance typical of polyolefins
Product examples:
Trucks – exterior body parts
(chassis fairings, spoilers, etc.) | Tractors – exterior body parts
(engine hoods bonets, fenders, etc.) |
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| Agriculture – engine hood | Harvester – exterior body parts |
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Construction equipment
– engine hoods, fenders | Trailers – side panels |
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