The morphology of micro-injection molded polyoxymethylene

A micro-injection molding machine was used to obtain micro-moldings of high density polyethylene, polyoxymethylene, and polycarbonate, in order to study the effects of processing conditions on the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties. The samples were microtomed and examined using a polarized light microscope for evaluation of morphology. Various microstructural features, such as morphological layer thickness and crystalline polymorphs, were observed and analyzed, in light of the thermo-mechanical history. These features were also correlated with both macro and local mechanical properties.