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Ultrafast laser texturing allows the generation of micro- and nanostructures on steel substrates. Laser-ablated textures show a wide range of structure geometries, from the micro to the nanoscale, which can enable plastic product functionalization. Polymer processing technologies are used to replicate mold textures on a large manufacturing scale. To enable new product functionalities, developing novel texture geometries is critical. The laser-ablated texture dimensions are primarily linked to the laser light properties, such as the laser wavelength, thus limiting the achievable structure shapes. This work uses ultrafast laser to manufacture textures in air and water environments. The effect of the different mediums on structures formation is characterized. The irradiation is performed over a wide range of fluence values. The texture geometry and characteristics are evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. For decreasing fluence values, the structures transitioned from micro bumps, to LIPSS, to nanostructures, regardless of the irradiation environment. Conversely, structure morphology is affected by the irradiation environment. The LIPSS pitch is lower for the underwater environment due to the change in the laser angle of incidence, which changes with the refraction index ratio of the air and water. A novel nano-lamellae texture was generated when irradiating the steel surface underwater at relatively low fluence. The dynamics of different LIPSS generations are discussed, considering the irradiation medium’s optical, thermal, and physical properties.

In injection molding, high pressure is required to fill the mold, due to the high viscosity of thermoplastic polymers, the reduced thickness of the cavity and the low mold temperature. In this work, we investigate the functionalization of mold cavities for Injection Molding by means of Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) generated on the ground surface of AISI 420 stainless steel through a picosecond laser. The LIPSS formation is examined with reference to the process parameters, highlighting how they affect the generated pattern. The improvements of the functionalized mold surface on the Injection Molding process are experimentally characterized and discussed. In particular, the slipping of molten PET was investigated as a function of nano-structuring orientation and injection velocity. The results demonstrate that LIPSS parallel to flow induce strong wall slip of the polymer melt, allowing a maximum reduction of the injection pressure of 10%.

Four sustainable materials including a recycled polypropylene blend, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, and two grades of polylactic acid are compared to a reference isotactic polypropylene. Tensile specimens were produced using a two-cavity, hot runner mold with fully automatic cycles per standard industrial practices to investigate the effect of melt temperature, injection velocity, cycle time, and screw speed on the mechanical properties. Multiple regression and principal component analyses were performed for each of the materials. Results indicated that all the materials were readily processed using a hot runner, and the mechanical properties exhibited minimal variation. To the extent that losses in mechanical properties were observed, the results indicated that the losses were correlated with thermal degradation as independently characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis. Such losses can be minimized by reducing melt temperature and cycle time, leading to a reduction of the environmental impact of injection molding processes.

The use of plastics in today's world is still increasing despite its enormous burden for environmental sustainability. The urge to reduce plastics impact is driving the development of novel technological solutions. The high viscosity of thermoplastic polymer melts often leads to the design of oversized plastic parts having wall thickness higher than structural requirements. This work proposes a novel approach to wall thickness reduction, exploiting the thermally insulating effect of mold coatings. Four different mold coatings were characterized using inline rheological testing carried out on a PET using a slit-die open mold. The thermal boundary condition of a numerical model was calibrated by fitting the numerical to experimental pressure values. The thickness reduction associated with the use of a specific coating was then quantified for a case study geometry using the calibrated model. The results indicated that it is possible to reduce the thickness of the part by 12%, leading to material consumption and cycle time reduction of 8% and 22%, respectively.

Surface functionalization of plastic parts has been studied and developed for several applications. However, demand for the development of reliable and profitable manufacturing strategies is still high. Here we develop and characterize a new process chain for the versatile and cost-effective production of sub-micron textured plastic parts using laser ablation. The study includes the generation of different sub-micron structures on the surface of a mold using femtosecond laser ablation and vario-thermal micro-injection molding. The manufactured parts and their surfaces are characterized in consideration of polymer replication and wetting behavior. The results of the static contact angle measurements show that replicated Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSSs) always increase the hydrophobicity of plastic parts. A maximum contact angle increase of 20% was found by optimizing the manufacturing thermal boundary conditions. The wetting behavior is linked to the transition from a Wenzel to Cassie&ndash, Baxter state, and is crucial in optimizing the injection molding cycle time.