AQA Product Design Practice Exam

Blow moulding is a specific process used to create hollow plastic parts and involves several key steps. The polymer is formed by extruding a parison, which is a heated tube of plastic, and then inflating it using air. This process begins with the extrusion of the molten polymer through a die to form the parison. Once the parison is in place, air is blown into it, causing the material to expand and take the shape of the mould. This combination of extrusion and blowing is what allows for the production of complex shapes and is characteristic of the blow moulding technique.

The process is particularly effective for creating containers and other hollow shapes, effectively utilizing the properties of thermoplastic materials. By focusing on the extrusion and blowing methods, one can see how this technique differentiates itself from other forming processes, which might involve folding, compressing, or cooling without the specific action of blowing to create cavities within the final product.

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