Vacuum forming
Vacuum forming of extruded plastic sheets
Examples of vacuum-formed products include the plastic components (interiors) of freezer and refrigerator doors, as well as the interior of the cabinets themselves. It is also used to create various types of molded plastic structures, such as tubs, containers, or door and cabinet liners.
Vacuum forming combined with polyurethane (PUR) foaming is particularly suitable for sandwich constructions, such as a refrigerator door where one side is sheet metal and the other (the interior) is extruded and vacuum-formed plastic. These parts are held together by PUR foam, which both insulates and stabilizes the door.
A simple explanation of vacuum forming
The extruded plastic sheets are heated and stretched, then placed over a mold, also known as a plug. By creating a vacuum, the plastic sheet is suctioned down to conform to the desired shape.
