Product Info

Key Takeaways
• Common injection molding defects include flow marks, air traps/voids, warpage, burn marks, and short shots.
• Most issues originate from improper temperature, injection speed, pressure, venting, or flow-channel design.
• Adjusting parameters such as injection speed, melt temperature, and Pack/Hold Pressure can significantly reduce defects.
• Structural issues including uneven wall thickness and inadequate venting require mold-level corrections.
• Systematic troubleshooting improves production efficiency and extends mold life.

Injection molding often encounters recurring quality problems such as flow marks, air traps, warpage, burn marks, and short shots. These issues affect production efficiency, increase scrap rates, and reduce mold durability. This article summarizes the symptoms, causes, and targeted corrective actions to help operators optimize their processes effectively.

1. Flow Marks
Appearance: Wavy lines or streaks along the plastic flow direction
Causes: Low injection speed, insufficient melt temperature, or improper flow-path design
Solutions:
- Increase injection speed
- Raise mold or melt temperature
- Redesign flow path (gate and runner) for smoother filling

2. Air Traps & Voids
Appearance: Internal cavities or rough surfaces from trapped air
Causes: Poor venting, insufficient pressure, or inadequate material volume
Solutions:
- Add or enlarge air vents
- Increase packing or holding pressure
- Balance shot volume for full cavity filling

3. Warping
Appearance: Part is bent, twisted, or deformed
Causes: Uneven cooling, pressure imbalance, or inconsistent wall thickness
Solutions:
- Stabilize mold temperature
- Design parts with uniform wall thickness
- Extend cooling time if needed

4. Burn Marks
Appearance: Dark brown or black scorch spots, typically at flow ends
Causes: Air trapped inside the cavity, overly high injection speed, or insufficient venting
Solutions:
- Reduce injection speed
- Improve mold venting
- Check for debris in the nozzle or runner

5. Short Shot
Appearance: Incomplete part filling
Causes: Low injection force, high material viscosity, or narrow flow channels
Solutions:
- Increase injection speed or pressure
- Raise melt temperature
- Widen gate or runner size

Summary
Injection molding defects can be diagnosed by observing part symptoms and understanding process conditions. Adjusting injection speed, temperature, pressure, venting, and mold design helps reduce waste, improve part consistency, and enhance production stability.

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❓ FAQ
Q1: What mainly causes flow marks?
A: Low injection speed, insufficient temperature, or an improperly designed flow path.

Q2: Why do short shots occur?
A: They typically result from insufficient injection force, high material viscosity, or restricted flow channels.

Q3: How can warpage be reduced?
A: Maintain uniform mold temperature, ensure even wall thickness, and increase cooling time.

📚 Glossary
Flow Mark: Wavy surface pattern caused by inconsistent flow
Air Trap: Accumulated air in the mold resulting in voids or rough surfaces
Warping: Distortion caused by uneven cooling or pressure imbalance
Burn Mark: Dark discoloration caused by trapped air or excessive shear
Short Shot: Incomplete filling due to insufficient pressure or restricted flow

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