SURFACE-ANALYSIS OF INJECTION-MOLDED TV COMPONENTS

Injection molded polymer test specimens produced within the frame of a full factor sampling plan were measured using two different kinds of instrumentations, i.e. a non-contacting Zygo NewView 100 optical inter ference microscope and a newly developed Rank Taylor Hobson Talyscan p robe using a contacting stylus with very low forces. Surface roughness and texture data were subjected to statistical analysis of variance w ith the purpose of establishing quantitative relationship to processin g parameters and to the traditionally used visual judgement of produce d components. The paper will present the experimental setup and the ma jor results of the data analysis, i.e., a statistical based selection of amplitude, height distribution, and spatial parameters as well as t he relative influence of the mold, the material, and the processing pa rameters to the surface texture. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.