Advantage of extrusion blow molding

• A high level of dimensional accuracy.

• Because of lower pressure, the mold costs in extrusion blow molding are lower as compared
to injection molding and the machinery costs are low as well.
• Making open-ended parts that are large can be done by splitting open a closed molding.
• Molds are inexpensive vs. injection molding. Since molding pressures are much lower,
tooling can be produced in aluminum.
• Irregular geometry can be easily molded if the mold can open without destroying the
part.
• There is the ability to combine several components into one part.
• The inside volume of the part can be filled with foam while the mold is still closed.
• By using specialized polymers, better barrier properties can be had.
• Recycled materials can be layered in the middle.
• Less costly materials can be used in a layer to reduce the part’s cost
• Minimal weight tolerances
• Also, it’s easy to mold external threads

Disadvantage of extrusion blow molding

 There are problems filling corners and deep sections because the parison will be stretched too
thin.
 In injection molding, the part is cooled and constrained by two sides of the mold. With
extrusion blow molding, the part only touches the mold on one side. This helps to create
wider tolerance than is seen with injection molding.
 On long flat surfaces there is a tendency for the flat surfaces to warp.
 To ensure proper filling and a strong weld line, the parison is extruded larger than the tool.
Hence, there is always some flash created as excess material is squeezed between parting
lines during the blowing operation.
 Secondary operations are always needed to remove flash. Holes and other features are put in
after the part is removed from the mold.
 There is wall thickness variation because of parison sag and part shape. The parts tend to be
thinner at the top because of sag. When the parts have a bigger local diameter, the parts will
be thinner in the thicker regions. The further the parison has to travel; the thinner it gets.

 Any surface defect that results from the extrusion of the parison or sweating of the
mold will cause surface appearance problems on the part.
 If there is a change in parison thickness or if the pinch-off is not designed correctly,
there could be a weak weld leading to part failure.
BLOW MOULD MAINTENANCE:

1) This procedure works best when the mold is at room temperature. This
helps avoid burns to
employees while doing the cleaning and reduces evaporation of the pe
netrating oil andbuffing compound.
2) Carefully blow off the mold surface. Wipe with a clean soft cloth, star
ting at the outside edge of the mold cavities and working outward.
3.) Using a brass scraper, remove any larger particles by gently scrapin
g on the mold surface.
Note: Be careful using brass tools since they can become work harden
ed and become harder than steel.
4.) Use # 00 or finer steel wool and penetrating oil to clean the mold su
rface, being careful not to enter the cavity in order to prevent scratching
it. Clean in the direction of the material’s flow through the mold,
This should remove the majority of the residue. Carefully blow off the m
old surface to prevent scratching, and wipe with a clean soft cloth.
5.) If there is still some staining or difficult to remove residue, a Balsam
wood stick (soft or medium hardness) may be used. Make a paste usin
g penetrating oil and buffing compound. Rub the Balsam wood stick in t
his paste and then rub the mold surface with it, being careful not to ent
er the cavity, in order to prevent scratching it. Carefully blow off the mol
d surface to prevent scratching and wipe with a clean soft cloth.
6.) A “felt bob” (soft or medium hardness) may be used in place of or af
ter the Balsam wood stick. Make a paste using penetrating oil and buffi
ng compound. Rub the Balsam wood stick in this paste and then rub th
e mold surface with it, being careful not to enter the cavity, in order to p
revent scratching it.Carefully blow off the mold surface to prevent scrat
ching and wipe with a clean soft cloth.
7.) After all cleaning is completed, carefully blow off the mold surface to
prevent scratching and wipe with a clean soft cloth. The mold must be
waxed and broke in before production parts are molded.

Key Processing Parameters

 Melt Temperature – Changes the viscosity of the material.
 Extruder Speed – Determines the speed that the parison is made.
 Blow Time – Although blowing forms the product, holding the pressure on the
product keeps it in contact with the mold and increases the cooling.
 Blow Pressure – Helps to pick up surface detail in the mold.
 Parison Drop Time – How long the parison hangs and stretches before the
mold closes.
 Parison Programming – Creates local thickness changes in the parison.
 If the parison is off-center, it will cause thickness variation around the
circumference of the part.

Future Development
Extrusion Blow Molding is looking at converting parts or products, That have two
components that are assembled together, to one Extrusion Blow Molded
part. Because Extrusion Blow Molding is a hollow part process, both sides of a
product can be molded together.