Surface analysis of injection molded TV components

Injection molded polymer test specimens produced within the frame of a full factor sampling plan were measured using two different kinds of instrumentations, i.e., a non-contacting Zygo NewView 100 optical interference microscope and a newly developed Rank Taylor Hobson Talyscan probe using a contacting stylus with very low forces. Surface roughness and texture data were subjected to statistical analysis of variance with the purpose of establishing quantitative relationship to processing parameters and to the traditionally used visual judgement of produced components. The paper will present the experimental setup and the major results of the data analysis, i.e., a statistical based selection of amplitude, height distribution, and spatial parameters as well as the relative influence of the mold, the material, and the processing parameters to the surface texture.