Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD)
Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) is a plastic material used to mold very large parts in one piece… exceptionally large parts… such as heavy truck air deflectors and hoods, transit bus body panels or combine harvester body panels.
PDCPD is a thermoset polymer formed by the metathesis polymerization of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD). DCPD components can be used in reaction injection molding, structural RIM, resin-transfer molding, casting, and other liquid-molding processes.
PDCPD has very good impact resistance at low temperatures, where a lot of other polymers become brittle; the first application for PDCPD was the cowlings of snowmobiles. Part consolidation opportunities are similar to injection molding.
PDCPD has been used as a replacement of traditional materials such as fiberglass, metal and wood.
PDCPD parts requiring long-term outdoor exposure can be painted with the surface readily accepting most paint systems. Adhesion to paint and structural adhesives is excellent.
The low viscosity of PDCPD allows the molding of very large parts with surface areas up to 1,200 in˛ or several hundred pounds.
In addition, PDCPD can be molded in thickness up to 12 inches as well as provide thick to thin transitions within the molded part to place thicker material where needed
The low pressure required to inject PDCPD into the mold translates to lower construction requirements for the molds, so production molds are typically machined aluminum, nickel shell or cast aluminum. Prototype parts can be molded in epoxy/polyester molds.
Button to button cycle times are generally 4 to 6 minutes depending upon part size and geometry.