Spiral Flow of a Thermosetting Molding Plastic: Numerical Simulation and Experimental Measurements

The 'moldability' of thermosets used in transfer molding is typically tested using a 'spiral flow mold' (ASTM D3123). This mold consists of a channel which has a semicircular cross-section and follows a spiral trajectory from the center outward. The 'moldability' is measured by injecting the resin into the mold and observing how far it flows before gelling under given pressure and temperature conditions. Thus, the spiral flow test measures the combined effects of reaction kinetics and rheology of a molding compound.