Context: My thesis was the contribution of the GEPEA laboratory to the "FUI LSR" project. It was financed by the Ministry of Industry and formed by thirteen partners including eleven industrialists (Bluestar Silicones, Spit, ARaymond, Billion ...) and two academic laboratories. Its objective was to improve the position of the French producers of LSR (Liquid Silicone Rubber) in the international market.
Target: Identification and analysis of the process factors' impact during the overmolding of Liquid Silicone Rubber on thermoplastic parts.
Completed tasks:
Thermo-rheo-kinetic characterization of Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR).
Calculation of the behavior laws and the gel point.
Design, simulation and thermo-kinetic modeling of a thermally controlled device (a special mold) used for performing overmolding tests under reproducible conditions.
Identification of factors influencing the adhesion quality in overmolding process.
Design and injection of thermoplastic inserts (PA6).
Carrying out overmolding tests according to a design of experiments.
Mechanical characterization of the adhesion using tensile-shear tests.
Impact analysis of different factors and their interactions by statistical methods.
In-situ detection of LSR cross-linking.
Validation of the modeling after comparing to the experimental results.
Optimization of the process (thermal conditions and cycle time).
Project management, oral and written communication, monitoring of deliverables, preparation of reports and contacting partners and suppliers.
