What process is used to create hollow plastic objects, such as water bottles, by filling a heated tube with air?

The process employed to create hollow plastic objects like water bottles by filling a heated tube with air is known as blow molding. In blow molding, a plastic tube, referred to as a parison, is heated until it becomes pliable. Air is then blown into the tube, forcing it to expand and take the shape of the mold it is enclosed in. As the material cools, it solidifies into a hollow structure, allowing for the efficient production of lightweight items.

This technique is particularly advantageous for producing thin-walled containers and allows for a variety of shapes and sizes. It ensures uniform thickness and is widely used for manufacturing bottles and other similar products. The flexibility and cost-effectiveness of blow molding make it a preferred method in the plastics industry for hollow object production.

The other processes listed, such as injection molding, compression molding, and rotational molding, involve different mechanisms and applications, primarily focusing on solid forms or thicker materials rather than hollow structures created through air expansion.