China Clays (1 Viewer)

[stafil]

Are the china clays true compression molded chips? If so, how come the edges are not square?

 

[Shaggy]

They're not. They are basically injection molded with a different material that makes them feel more like "clays." I recall someone referring to them as injecto-compression some time back... because the process did involve some sort of compression... I don't buy it... I'm fairly certain its just a different material.

 

[mrplacey]

From the master:

None of the china clays are compression clay. That's just a ruse that Joe at PGI tried to confuse people with, since the injection-mold process uses materials under pressure...... which he maintained meant the chip material was under 'compression'. It was hogwash.

Compression-molded means the material is compressed/squashed/flattened between two mold halves using high pressure and temperatures.

China clays aren't made like that; they use modified plastic injection mold machines (modified to inject multiple colors into specially-designed molds to create the spots).

 

[yone]

They're not. They are basically injection molded with a different material that makes them feel more like "clays." I recall someone referring to them as injecto-compression some time back... because the process did involve some sort of compression... I don't buy it... I'm fairly certain its just a different material.

God knows what the secret formula for compression clay is, but thermoset plastics need heat and pressure to cross-link long molecular chains. Once set, they cannot be melted. There is a process called transfer molding, where thermoset plastic is pressurized in a separate chamber then injected into the molding. I have no idea if this is how china clay is made; but @BGinGA 's quote, made me think of this process.

 

[yone]

Are the china clays true compression molded chips? If so, how come the edges are not square?

It seems logical that any chips can have square edges if they are milled. High-end chips are milled to remove flashing or injection ports. I assume if there is flashing on the corner of the chip, it would be easier just to bevel the corners. Just my thoughts, have no proof or insight on what actually goes on in a factory.

 

[stafil]

It seems logical that any chips can have square edges if they are milled. High-end chips are milled to remove flashing or injection ports. I assume if there is flashing on the corner of the chip, it would be easier just to bevel the corners. Just my thoughts, have no proof or insight on what actually goes on in a factory.

Oh, clay chips get their shape by milling? Didn’t know that, I always assumed it was because of their mold. I.e it was difficult to not have square edges with compression molding.

 

[PlaidDragon]

What makes up our chips:

Compression Clay:

• Super secret ingredients.
• Insane pressures.
• Ludicrously hot temperatures.
• Precision manufacturing equipment.

Injection Clay

• Landfill dirt.
• Day old coffee sludge.
• Red #5 (this is used regardless of the ending chip color).
• Stood on by elephant for 5 min to qualify as "compression" clay.

Ceramics

• Blanks made by extra-galactic alien slave labor in Area 51.
• No further information available.

 

[yone]

Oh, clay chips get their shape by milling? Didn’t know that, I always assumed it was because of their mold. I.e it was difficult to not have square edges with compression molding.

You can actually see very faint mill marks on some super mint TRKs.