Infra red melt temperature measurements for use in feedback control of the injection moulding process

Direct, non-invasive and reliable measurement of polymer melt temperature is of vital importance for feedback control of polymer processing operations. Rapid process changes during Injection Moulding requires the use of infra red temperature sensors whose dynamic response allows melt temperature changes to be followed. Results are presented from process observations in extrusion dies, injection moulding nozzles and a static PVT cell fitted to an off-line rheometer, using infra red temperature sensors and associated instrumentation, to observe the effects of process geometries, filler content and pressure on the infra red measurement.