Reaction Exotherm Out of Control

Reaction exotherm causes internal burning of the part or excessive temperature. When this defect appears in parts of Process No. 2, it is usually related to specific process parameter ranges or equipment conditions. If it persists, it will directly affect the part qualification rate and production cycle, increasing material loss and rework costs. Timely diagnosis and elimination is a basic requirement for ensuring stable production.

1. Mold design factors: part wall thickness too large making heat difficult to dissipate, excessive catalyst dosage, insufficient mold heat dissipation capacity, ambient temperature too high. 2. Mixing quality factors: in the RIM process, the mixing uniformity of the two components is the foundation of all quality; the Reynolds number of the mixing head, the impingement mixing energy, and the residence time distribution are the key engineering parameters determining mixing quality.

1. Process parameter optimization and adjustment: control part wall thickness, reduce catalyst dosage, enhance mold heat dissipation, lower ambient temperature. 2. Systematic troubleshooting method: RIM problem troubleshooting follows the order of "formulation -> mixing -> temperature control -> equipment". First check the two-component ratio and catalyst dosage, then check the mixing head and self-cleaning function, then check the raw material and mold temperature control, and finally check the accuracy of the metering pump and hydraulic system. 3. Preventive management: establish standardized process parameter cards and quality control limits for each mold/product, and regularly conduct process capability index (CPK) evaluation. For recurring problems, use fishbone diagram or 5Why analysis to trace the root cause, and fix the countermeasures as PFMEA control points.

This problem is a typical manifestation of reaction exotherm out of control in the RIM process; the core of the solution lies in ensuring the precise ratio and full mixing of the two components, while controlling the reaction temperature and curing conditions within the optimal window. It is recommended to start troubleshooting from the mixing system and metering accuracy.