E-Mail: caobin@yixunmold.com
Phone: +86-138 2919 3570
Home » News » Gas-Assisted Injection Molding (GAIM): The Ultimate Guide To Lighter, Stronger Plastic Parts

Gas-Assisted Injection Molding (GAIM): The Ultimate Guide To Lighter, Stronger Plastic Parts

Views: 0     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2025-04-18      Origin: Site

Inquire

facebook sharing button
twitter sharing button
line sharing button
wechat sharing button
linkedin sharing button
pinterest sharing button
whatsapp sharing button
kakao sharing button
snapchat sharing button
telegram sharing button
sharethis sharing button

1. How Gas-Assisted Injection Molding Works: The Science Behind the Process

4-Step Gas-Assisted Injection Molding Process

  1. Partial Plastic Injection

    • 70-95% of molten plastic (e.g., PP, PC/ABS) fills the mold.

  2. Gas Injection

    • High-pressure nitrogen (50-300 bar) is injected through nozzles.

  3. Gas Penetration

    • The gas pushes plastic into remaining cavities, forming hollow channels.

  4. Cooling & Ejection

    • Gas maintains pressure to prevent sink marks → final part ejection.

Key Advantage: Up to 40% material savings vs. solid parts.

2. Gas-Assisted Injection Molding vs. Traditional Molding: Key Differences

ParameterGas-Assisted Injection MoldingConventional Molding
Wall ThicknessVariable (3-15mm)Uniform (typically 2-4mm)
Sink MarksVirtually eliminatedCommon in thick sections
Cycle Time20-35% fasterStandard
Tooling Cost15-30% higherLower
Part Weight15-40% lighterNo reduction

3. Top 5 Benefits of Gas-Assisted Injection Molding

Eliminates Sink Marks – Perfect for large flat surfaces (e.g., TV bezels).
Lightweighting – Automotive parts can be 30% lighter (e.g., door handles).
Lower Internal Stress – Gas pressure distributes evenly, reducing warpage.
Design Freedom – Integrates ribs, tubes, and complex geometries in one shot.
Cost Efficiency – Saves material and reduces post-processing.

4. Where Is Gas-Assisted Injection Molding Used? Key Applications

① Automotive

  • Intake manifolds (replaces metal, 40% weight savings)

  • Door handles (Class-A surface finish)

  • Dashboard supports (structural + lightweight)

② Consumer Electronics

  • TV/display frames (Samsung, LG widely adopt GAIM)

  • Laptop hinges (hollow-core strength)

③ Home Appliances

  • Washing machine drums

  • Air conditioner vents

④ Furniture

  • Chair armrests

  • Shower frames

5. Design Rules for GAIM Success

Gas Channel Design

  • Shape: Circular > Oval > Rectangular

  • Size: Minimum 3x wall thickness

  • Layout: Follow primary load paths

Material Selection

  • Best Choices: PC/ABS, PP, glass-filled nylon

  • Avoid: Clear plastics (optical defects), high-viscosity resins

Process Control

ParameterOptimal RangeImpact
Gas Pressure50-300 barDetermines channel quality
Delay Time0.5-3 secondsAffects plastic flow front
Gas Hold Time20-40% of cyclePrevents shrinkage

6. Common Defects & Fixes

Blow-Through

  • Cause: Too much gas pressure / insufficient plastic

  • Fix: Increase shot size by 5-10%

Finger Effect

  • Symptom: Wavy lines near gas channels

  • Solution: Adjust gate location / reduce gas pressure

Uneven Gas Penetration

  • Fix: Use multi-point gas injection


7. The Future of GAIM (2024-2025 Trends)

  • Water-Gas Hybrid Molding
    Combines gas and water for ultra-thin walls (used in BMW bumpers).

  • Smart Gas Control
    AI-driven real-time pressure adjustment (±0.5 bar precision).

  • Supercritical Fluid (SCF) Assisted GAIM
    Uses supercritical CO₂ for smoother surfaces.

8. Is GAIM Right for Your Project?

Best For:

✔ High-volume production (>100k parts/year)
✔ Weight-sensitive applications
✔ Large parts requiring structural integrity

Considerations:

  • Higher initial tooling cost (ROI in 8-15 months)

  • Requires specialized mold design

Pro Tip: Run CAE gas-flow simulations before tooling.

Conclusion

GAIM revolutionizes plastic part manufacturing by delivering lighter, stronger, and more cost-effective components. From automotive to consumer goods, its ability to eliminate defects while enabling innovative designs makes it a top choice for engineers.


Yixun is the China first generation mold maker, specialize in mold and moulding, provide one-stop plastic manufacturing service, feature in building medical and healthcare device tooling.
Leave a Message
Contact Us

QUICK LINKS

INDUSTRY

GET IN TOUCH

  No.8, Lane 1, Xiju Road, Hengli Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China.
  +86-13559727318
Copyright © 2024 Dongguan Yixun Industrial Co.,Ltd. All Rights Reserved.| Sitemap | Privacy Policy