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History of Thermoforming

Definition 

Thermoforming is a method of processing plastic resin into finished parts from sheet (0.010" ~o.zs4 mm / thick and greater) or film (less than 0.010" [0.254 mm] thick.) In this chapter they are considered one and the same. The plastic sheet is heated to its particular thermoforming temperature and Immediately shaped to the desired configuration. At processing temperatures the sheet is very Pliable, enabling it to be formed rapidly into great detail with a minimum of force. Pressure is Maintained until the part has cooled. It is then trimmed of the selvage used to hold the sheet during Process.

History

  The Romans imported tortoise shell (Keratin) from the Orient and used hot oil to shape this thermoplastic material into food utensils. During World War II, aircraft canopies, turrets, domes, relief maps and many other items were vacuum formed. After this period thermoforming rapidly expanded into a viable and profitable method of processing plastics. Today, thermoforming is one of the fastest, if not the fastest growing methods of processing plastics.