Extrusion

Overview

This seminar offers comprehensive coverage of the extrusion of polymeric materials. It is intended for individuals who have little or no background in the extrusion process or for those who have been using single- and twin-screw extruders and want to gain a thorough understanding of the interrelationships between the polymeric materials, the equipment and processing variables. Lectures discuss the significant characteristics of polymeric materials and their effect on the extrusion process. Types of extruders and their components, equipment specifications, instrumentation, and screw geometry are discussed. Operational principles including solids conveying, plastication, mixing and pressure generation of single- and twin-screw extruders are explained. Specific extrusion processes including blown and flat film, tube and pipe, profiles, extrusion coating and foam extrusion are discussed and expanded upon if requested by participants. Troubleshooting techniques and operational strategies are covered.

Content

Characteristics of Polymeric Materials

• Molecular weight; molecular weight distribution; properties of bulk materials; polymer rheological properties; thermal properties

Types of Extruders

Extruder Components

Operational Characteristics (Single & Twin)

• Zonal distribution & function; solids conveying principles; melting theories; conveying & pressure generation; screw characteristic curves; screw design principles; conveying, melting, mixing, venting & pressure generation; extruder output calculations; basic demands of production

Extrusion Processes

• Blown & flat film; tube & pipe; profiles; extrusion coating; wire coating; foam extrusion; fiber spinning; coextrusion

Troubleshooting Techniques

• Most of the afternoons will be spent in the Plastics Process Engineering Labs with hands-on experience in start-up, shutdown and troubleshooting single- and twin-screw extrusion operations. Demonstrated extrusion processes: blown film, flat film, tubes & pipes, foam extrusion and compounding with twin-screw extruders.