In compression moulding, what happens to the plastic material during the process?

In compression moulding, the process involves the heating of plastic material to a molten state before it is shaped into a final product. The plastic is placed into a heated mould, which causes it to soften and flow. This molten material fills the contours of the mould when pressure is applied, allowing for the formation of complex shapes. After the moulding is complete, the material is then cooled to solidify into the desired final form.

This heating process is crucial because it enables the plastic to become pliable enough to take the shape of the mould. Once cooled, the solidified plastic retains the shape of the mould, resulting in a finished product. Consequently, the understanding that the plastic is heated to a molten state before moulding is essential in grasping how compression moulding functions.