Metapor / Espor Porous Aluminum
With the material's open porosity, vacuum holes
With the material's open porosity, vacuum holes are no unnecessary for thermoform mold applications. As alternative to machined aluminum, Metapor machines quickly, does not need vacuum holes and can meet heavy production requirements. Metapor is available in Standard (BF100-AL), High Density (HD100-AL), High Temperature (BF210-AL) and Macro. The Metapor family of materials can address virtually any thermoforming requirement.
For mold requirements that require castings, ESPOR porous aluminum castings can be produced quickly therefore reducing total development time. The porosity of Espor castings allows the texture to be applied directly to the mold surface at the time of casting therefore eliminating the normal etching process in similar mold types. This cast texture over the surface of the porous aluminum creates textures with better consistency and detail for organic and technical grains.
Due to the unique material characteristics of the ESPOR porous aluminum materials and the amount of air that can be evacuated consistently and completely over the entire surface of the mold, "deep draw" thermoform cavities can be easily formed with a high level of materials thickness control and sharp detail. Currently, ESPOR porous aluminum castings are in production in many thermoforming applications such as Automotive interiors, Packaging, Medical component manufacturing.
ESPOR is a registered trademark of Portec AG of Switzerland with distribution and castings developed under license by International Mold Steel of Florence, Kentucky.
International Mold Steel, Inc., 6796 Powerline Drive, Florence, KY 41042. Tel: 859-342-6000; Fax: 859-342-6006.