Porous mold for injecting natural fibers in suspension

A mold with distinct porosity zones addresses the challenge of injecting natural fibers in aqueous suspension by retaining fibers and evacuating water efficiently, producing high-quality, dry molded objects through selective laser melting and simultaneous injection, heating, and suction.

FR3158257A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-07-18CENT TECHN IND DE LA PLASTURGIE & DES COMPOSITES
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2024000309
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-01-12
Publication Date
2025-07-18

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Plastic molds designed for molten plastic materials are ineffective for injecting natural fibers in aqueous suspension due to the two-phase nature of fibers and water, as vents designed for air evacuation become clogged, preventing efficient water removal and resulting in a molded object with excessive moisture.

Method used

A mold with distinct zones of varying porosity, including a support zone, filtration zone, and drainage zone, manufactured using selective laser melting of a metal powder bed, allows for the injection of natural fibers in aqueous suspension by retaining fibers and simultaneously evacuating water through the filtration and drainage zones.

Benefits of technology

The mold achieves a dry and solid molded object by effectively removing water from the internal cavity within a few seconds using injection pressure, heating, and vacuum suction, ensuring high-quality fiber retention and reduced molding time.

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Abstract

Mold for injecting natural fibers in aqueous suspension, the mold defining an external surface (Se) and an internal cavity (C) having an internal surface (C1), the mold comprising at least three distinct zones (Zs, Zf, Zd) of different porosities, namely: a) a support zone (Zs) of low porosity forming the external surface (Se) and a part of the internal surface (C1), this support zone (Zs) defining a fiber inlet (E) and a water outlet (S) connected to the internal cavity (C), b) at least one filtration zone (Zf) of medium porosity forming another part of the internal surface (C1), allowing the evacuation of water but retaining the natural fibers, and c) at least one drainage zone (Zd) of high porosity in contact with the filtration zone (Zf) and support zone (Zs), but away from the internal cavity (C1). "Figure for abstract: figure 3"
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