Steam polishing technology has become an important means to improve the appearance and performance of plastic products due to its unique advantage of being able to quickly improve the surface quality of plastic products. It gives plastic products a mirror-like gloss and delicate texture, while increasing product added value and helping companies stand out in the fierce market competition.
Definition of steam polishing
Steam polishing is a surface processing process that uses high-temperature and high-pressure steam to quickly heat and melt the surface of plastic products.
Steam polishing processing technology
Pretreatment
First, clean the plastic products to remove impurities such as oil, dust, and mold release agents on the surface. Ultrasonic cleaning, chemical solvent cleaning, or high-pressure water washing can be used to ensure surface cleanliness, providing a good foundation for subsequent steam polishing.
Equipment debugging
According to the material, shape, and size of the plastic products, adjust the parameters of the steam polishing equipment, including steam temperature, pressure, spray time, and spray angle.
Steam polishing
Fix the pretreated plastic products on the workbench of the steam polishing equipment, start the equipment, and high-temperature and high-pressure steam is evenly sprayed onto the surface of the plastic products through a special nozzle.
Cooling and shaping
After steam polishing, cool the plastic products immediately. Air cooling, water cooling, or natural cooling can be used to quickly solidify the molten plastic surface and maintain the smooth surface morphology after polishing.
Post-processing
Quality inspection of polished plastic products. If the polishing effect is not good in some local areas, secondary polishing can be performed. After passing the inspection, surface coating or packaging can be performed according to product requirements to complete the entire processing flow.
Types of steam polishing
Normal pressure steam polishing
Use high-temperature steam to polish plastic products under normal atmospheric pressure. This method has simple equipment and low cost, but the treatment effect is relatively weak. It is suitable for plastic products that do not require particularly high surface quality, such as ordinary daily necessities, toys, etc.
High-pressure steam polishing
By increasing the steam pressure (usually 0.5-2MPa), the effect of steam on the plastic surface is enhanced, so that the plastic surface melts and flows faster, thereby obtaining a higher surface gloss and a smoother surface effect.
Pulse steam polishing
The intermittent steam injection method is adopted, that is, the steam acts on the surface of the plastic product in the form of pulses. This method can better control the melting degree of the plastic surface and avoid over-melting. It is especially suitable for plastic products with complex shapes, thin walls or high dimensional accuracy requirements, such as precision electronic component housings, medical device parts, etc.
Precautions for steam polishing
Material applicability
Not all plastic materials are suitable for steam polishing. Before steam polishing, the plastic material needs to be fully tested and evaluated to determine its applicability.
Parameter control
Steam temperature, pressure and processing time are key parameters that affect the polishing effect. If the temperature is too high or the processing time is too long, the plastic surface may be over-melted, deformed or even burned; if the temperature is too low or the time is too short, the polishing effect is not obvious. It is necessary to accurately adjust the parameters according to the plastic material and product requirements, and monitor and adjust them in real time during the production process.
Equipment maintenance
Clean, maintain and maintain the equipment regularly, check the sealing of the steam pipe and the safety of the equipment, and ensure the normal operation of the equipment and the safety of the operator.
Safety protection
High-temperature and high-pressure steam is dangerous. Operators need to wear protective gloves, goggles, high-temperature resistant protective clothing and other protective equipment to avoid steam burns.
Environmental protection
A small amount of waste gas may be generated during steam polishing, and corresponding waste gas treatment equipment and wastewater treatment systems need to be equipped to ensure that the emissions meet environmental protection standards.
Application fields of steam polishing
Consumer electronics industry
It is widely used in the surface treatment of the shells, display frames, buttons and other parts of electronic products such as mobile phones, tablets, smart watches, etc., giving the products a high gloss and delicate texture appearance, improving the grade and market competitiveness of the products, and enhancing the wear resistance and scratch resistance of the surface.
Optical field
It is used for polishing plastic products such as optical lenses and optical instrument shells to eliminate minor surface flaws and ripples, improve surface flatness and optical properties, and ensure light transmittance and imaging quality.
Medical industry
In the surface treatment of medical devices, steam polishing can make the surface of plastic products smooth and pore-free, reduce bacterial growth, and facilitate cleaning and disinfection, while meeting the strict requirements of the medical industry for product appearance and hygiene.
Automotive industry
It is used for the surface treatment of automotive interior parts (such as dashboards, center consoles, door handles) and exterior parts (such as headlight housings, rearview mirror housings) to improve the beauty and touch of the interior, enhance the weather resistance and anti-aging properties of exterior parts, and make the product surface easier to clean and maintain.
Packaging Industry
Steam polishing of plastic products such as cosmetic packaging and food packaging can improve the packaging's appearance and appeal, show the product's high-quality image, and at the same time enhance the packaging's sealing and moisture-proof properties, extending the product's shelf life.
