The compounding process is very similar to the process used in an injection-molding machine, where plastic and additives are metered into a hopper at one end of a barrel.
The facilities used in this process are usually varieties of single and twin screw compounding equipments. These machines usually have production capacities that range from a few hundred kilograms per hour up to almost two tons per hour.
The process starts as when the plastic materials usually melted by external heater bands or shear heat of friction while it is being transported along the length of the barrel via an Archimedes screw. As the material travels along, specially designed sections of the screw knead, mix and compound the plastic, additives and fillers. At the end of the barrel, the melted plastic flows through a wire screen that filters out any residual dirt, grit or other contaminants, and is then forced through a die plate.
When the materials go through the die plate, they are cut into pellets, cooled by quenching in water, dried by blowing pipes, and finally packaged at the end of the line.
[Courtesy of: Extrusion Systems.]
- Lumber
- Plastic bags
- Office supplies
- Containers
- Clothing
- Carpet
[Courtesy of: Whitby-Scarborough-Filey].
Section I: Introduction
Section II: Present (YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN THIS SECTION)
Section III: Future
Complete Table of Contents
Reference