Can you tell me how difficult LCP Liquid Crystal Polymer is to injection mold?

Hi Roger, I think the answer depends on what aspect you are talking about. For flowability, LCP is an easy-flow material. For dimension or warpage control, it's a bit difficult caused by the combinative effect of its anisotropic shrinkage (especially with fiber-reinforced grade), gate design (number & position), design of part thickness variation and process conditions./ Hank

In you design of the mould, you should try to avoid weld-lines. The properties of LCP in the weld lines are very poor.

Thank your help, anyone else have any info?
Roger

Roger, What are you trying to mold? If we start there, then we may be able to help you.

LCP likes shear,and a hot mold. It needs a tight mold and a good Non-Return-Valve( ring type screw tip) Better yet are the screw/plunger ("Sodick") injection units.
It must be dried well.
With a properly designed mold (impingement in right areas) it has predictable and consistent shrinkage/warpage.
There are products that won't run in any other materials.

Brent

Dear Roger,
A lot will depend on your type of product, so I just can give you some general guide lines.
Try to avoid hot runner systems. I have tried mold mast, husky and Günther and also these are very good systems I always had to concluded that at some moment the runner system was a cause of error. Try to avoid weld lines. Keep your runner section as small as possible (increase shear). Inject as fast as possible. Increase your mould temperatures. Just do everything possible to increase the shear rate. And finally, do not experiment with the low cost LCP’s before you have enough experience with the LCP process. If you are moulding parts that need a coating (alu or chrome) for heat shielding then inform your customer that properly the visual aspect will not meet their expectation. I hope you can find something useful in my answer that can help you.