Extrusion Know How
Why Barrel Temperatures Have a Small Effect on Melt Temperature
Extruders are not like ovens. Tweaking barrel-temperature profiles will not influence melt temperature all that much. Here’s why.
Read MoreSimple Scale-Up Calculations for Melting
You can avoid complicated melting equations when designing or evaluating a screw by using simpler methods that can save time and provide good results.
Read MoreUnraveling the Complexity of Single-Screw Scale-Up
Variables such as shear rates, melting rate, residence time and conductive heating are all influenced in the scale-up.
Read MoreTelltale Signs of Screw Wear
Determining the cause of wear is the first step in eliminating it.
Read MoreExtrusion: Head Pressure and Output Stability
Use drag- and pressure-flow equations to analyze fluctuating output.
Read MoreExtrusion: A Simple Way to Evaluate Your Screw Performance, Part 2
A hand-held calculator and some basic equations can help determine whether your screw is up to snuff.
Read MoreExtrusion: A Simple Way to Evaluate Extruder Screws
While there’s lots of data that influences screw design, processors usually don’t have access to it. So instead, try calculating drag flow to see if your screw is working properly.
Read MoreExtrusion: Barrier Screws: Metering Section or Not?
A barrier screw without a metering section can reduce output and increase melt temperature.
Read MoreExtrusion: Why There Are No Truly Universal Dies
Flow characteristics of different polymers vary considerably. So while adjustment features are available, for the most part dies must be designed for an individual polymer.
Read MoreCast vs. Integral: Which Feed Section Is Best for You?
Here are seven factors extrusion processors should weigh to help them decide between cast feed section versus an integral extrusion feed section.
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