Home / Blog / technical-insights / Injection Molding Issues: Common Defects, Causes, Fixes

Injection Molding Issues: Common Defects, Causes, Fixes

Views: 0     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2025-09-22      Origin: Site

Inquire

facebook sharing button
linkedin sharing button
pinterest sharing button
twitter sharing button
sharethis sharing button
Injection Molding Issues: Common Defects, Causes, Fixes

Injection molding is a cornerstone of modern manufacturing. It enables high‑volume production of precise, durable plastic parts at competitive cost. From automotive components to medical devices and consumer goods, the process is used worldwide.

But even advanced equipment and strict controls cannot eliminate problems. Injection molding issues still occur, leading to defects, scrap, and delays. Understanding root causes—and how to fix them—is essential for quality and cost control.Injection molding factory with plastic production lines

“Prevention beats correction. Most molding defects fade once the process, mold, material, and maintenance work in sync.”


What Are Injection Molding Issues?

Injection molding issues are problems that arise during the cycle and create defects in the finished part. Some are visible on the surface; others weaken the structure or affect function.

  • Appearance defects: flow lines, discoloration, burn marks.

  • Dimensional defects: warping, shrinkage, distortion.

  • Structural defects: voids, weak weld lines, trapped air bubbles.

Classifying a defect helps narrow root causes. With a clear type in hand, you can adjust processing, update materials, or refine tooling to solve the issue.

Types of injection molding defects including appearance, dimensional, and structural issues

Common Injection Molding Defects and Causes


Short Shot (Incomplete Filling)

Occurs when the melt does not fully fill the cavity, leaving missing or weak geometry.


Short shot defect in plastic injection molding part

Causes
Low injection pressure or speed; poor venting that traps air; resin with low flowability or low melt temperature.
Fixes
Raise pressure or melt temperature, improve venting, review gate design and material choice.

Warping (Distortion)

Uneven cooling creates internal stresses that bend or twist the part, often causing assembly issues.

Warping defect caused by uneven cooling in injection molding

Causes
Uneven cooling; inconsistent wall thickness; incorrect holding pressure or cooling time.
Fixes
Design for uniform walls, optimize cooling channels, tune holding parameters to balance shrinkage.

Sink Marks

Small depressions typically found in thick sections.

Sink mark defect on thick plastic molded part

Causes
Low packing pressure; short cooling time; thick wall areas.
Fixes
Increase packing pressure and cooling; redesign to avoid thick sections or add coring/ribs.

Flash (Excess Material)

Thin layers of extra material along the parting line or ejector pins.

Flash defect along the parting line of injection molded part

Causes
Worn or damaged mold; excessive injection pressure; insufficient clamp force.
Fixes
Repair or reface the mold; lower pressure; verify clamp tonnage and parallelism.

Burn Marks / Black Spots

Dark streaks appear when trapped air overheats or the resin degrades.

Burn marks defect on plastic injection molded part

Causes
Air entrapment; excess melt temperature or speed; material degradation.
Fixes
Improve venting; reduce melt temperature and injection speed; ensure proper residence time.

Voids and Air Bubbles

Internal cavities weaken parts and can show as surface bubbles.

Voids and air bubbles inside injection molded plastic part

Causes
Insufficient packing; moisture in resin; trapped gas during filling.
Fixes
Dry the resin; increase packing pressure; improve venting and flow balance.

Surface Defects (Flow Lines, Weld Lines, Splay)

Visual blemishes that also reduce strength in severe cases.

Surface defects in injection molding including flow lines and weld lines

Causes
Flow hesitation or poor gate design; contamination; inconsistent processing.
Fixes
Optimize flow path and gate; improve material handling; stabilize temperatures, speeds, and pressures.

Injection Molding Troubleshooting

Use a structured, step‑by‑step approach to find root causes and shorten downtime.

  • Adjust process settings: temperature, pressure, injection speed, and cooling time.

  • Improve mold design: add vents, balance runners, maintain uniform walls.

  • Handle materials correctly: keep resins dry, choose suitable additives, prevent contamination.

  • Maintain equipment: clean molds, replace worn components, and calibrate machines.


How to Prevent Plastic Molding Defects

  • Apply SPC and Six Sigma for process control.

  • Run mold flow simulations before tooling and production.

  • Schedule preventive maintenance and mold inspections.

  • Train teams to recognize early warning signs and act quickly.

Prevention reduces scrap, stabilizes cycle time, and protects delivery commitments.

Injection Moulding Faults vs Defects

Faults are errors in the process or equipment. Defects are flaws in the molded part. Knowing the difference helps global teams align language and corrective actions.

Part Defects in Injection Molding: Best Practices

  • Process: tune parameters to control shrinkage and internal stress.

  • Design: mold for manufacturability, balanced filling, and effective venting.

  • Material: choose the right resin and follow strict handling and drying.

  • Inspection: use CT, tensile tests, and automated vision for consistent quality.

FAQ

Why do injection molding defects occur?
They stem from process errors, mold design issues, material problems, or equipment wear.

How can molding problems be fixed quickly?
Start with process adjustments, then review mold design and materials.

What is the difference between a defect and a fault?
A defect affects the part itself; a fault occurs in the process or machine.

Which defects are most common?
Short shots, warping, sink marks, flash, and burn marks occur frequently.

Conclusion

Injection molding issues are common, but manageable. By recognizing typical defects, tracing their causes, and applying structured troubleshooting, manufacturers can reduce waste and improve part quality. Preventive maintenance, robust quality control, and ongoing training are the best long‑term defenses.



Guangdian Tech specializes in high-precision automotive lighting and interior/exterior injection molds, delivering innovative solutions for the automotive industry. Quality, efficiency, and customization.

Products

Quick Links

Contact Us
 NO.9 KangZhuang Road, Beicheng Industrial Area, Huangyan District 318020, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, China.
 info@guangdiantech.com

  +86-15958669678
Copyright © 2025 Taizhou Huangyan Guangdian Technology Co., Ltd.  All rights reserved.