Casting

Ensinger uses the casting process to produce semi-finished products in polyamide 6, a nylon produced by the activated anionic polymerisation of caprolactam. Casting is more suitable for small and medium series in a weight range of 0.5-90 kg/part.

Casting uses a heating and cooling process, similar to extrusion but also uses movement during polymerisation. The casting process begins with the mixing of the single components/ compounds. This is then put into the mould using a pressureless method. The substance is then polymerised using heat and a shaking action. The mixture is then cools and removed from the mould. Thermal post treatment (or annealing) is then undertaken before further post processing if necessary.

Casting is not only used to produce semi finished parts that require minimal machining, but also used in centrifugal casting of pipes and casted finished parts too.

Custom cast parts are either produced as finished parts or semi finished products that require minimal machining. Using custom casting methods, products can be manufactured from completely new materials and can constantly find their way into new applications.

In comparison with injection moulded and extruded material, casting characterises the material by a higher tensile and compressive strength, higher modulus of elasticity and dimensional stability. Reasons for this are higher crystallinity and significantly higher molecular weight. The lower moisture absorption means that the mechanical properties and dimensions also change less.