McCLARIN Composites offers Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) services for the production of parts that are lightweight, extremely strong, dimensionally stable, and chemical- and wear-resistant.
This advanced process is ideal for parts that require superior cold weather impact resistance and performance.
RIM combines low viscosity component chemicals into a heated mold at relatively low temperatures and pressures, which can create very large components of complex shapes. Due to the low viscosity of the component chemicals, RIM molds are quickly and thoroughly filled—allowing molding as a single piece, rather than molding several parts and assembling them. Mold costs are reduced, and mold life is extended since less heat is generated.
RIM is often used to encapsulate materials and parts to strengthen them, or to add another layer of protection. Reinforced RIM (R-RIM) process utilizes reinforcement such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, basalt fiber and metal into the part.
RIM parts exhibit superior surface appearance; the low component viscosity allows for more complex molded parts. RIM parts are compatible with a wide range of paints and coatings, making them a popular choice for the automotive industry, or any industry that requires Class A surfaces.
In many cases, RIM components can be effective substitutes for metal because of its high strength and favorable weight advantage.
The RIM process allows considerable design freedom and allows for the forming of parts in both thick and thin-walled sections, molding-in functional and structural inserts (“i.e., pick-and-place”). Material choices include polyurethane, which creates a homogeneous flexible thermoset polyolefin based on poly-dicyclopentadiene (P-DCPD).
The low injection temperatures and pressures associated with the RIM process also enables us to implement lower cost tooling options such as aluminum as opposed to steel molds.