Ultimate Guide to The Plastic Extrusion Process

 

At Creatingway, we consider plastic extrusion as important as injection molding in today’s plastic industry. The process generally involves melting plastic material, then forcing its molten form through a die continuously. This forms a continuous profile that is then cut depending on the desired length. The process is a great choice for applications that need a constant cross-section. It is also of low cost with high production rates, making it a popular choice with manufacturers. Examples of such products include door profiles, pipes, and tubing.

The Plastic Extrusion Process, Types of Plastics, and Applications.

What’s The Plastic Extrusion Process?

• Extruder Parts

First, you need to know the parts of an extruder to get a clear picture of the process works. An extruder contains several parts that are crucial for its function. It has a hopper where we keep raw material. A feed throat for receiving the plastic pellets from the hopper into the barrel. Then a breaker plate that filters the fed material through screens while also maintaining pressure. A filter pipe that delivers the molten material into the die. Next to it is the die that shapes the molten plastic into the wanted extrusion profile. Lastly is the cooling system that solidifies the extruded plastic evenly.

• Process

The plastic extrusion process begins by filling the hopper with raw plastic. It is usually in a solid state initially. The common form is flakes and pellets. Then the material goes down the feeder’s throat due to the force of gravity. Once in the barrel, heating begins. We do it in three or more zones with each zone being hotter than the previous. This ensures proper melting of the plastic. While we heat, we simultaneously push the molten plastic towards the die’s end. This is through the help of a motor-driven screw. The pressure generated during this step generates heat lowering the need of heating the hot zones too much. This translates to saving on electricity use.

The molten material then exits the barrel and passes through a screen. This screen filters contaminant present in the material. It, therefore, increases the purity of the raw material to be used. We also reinforce the screen with a breaker plate to avoid spills from occurring due to the high pressures present. The filtered material goes through the feed pipe that connects it to a custom-built die. We would have pre-machined it according to your specifications making an opening of the exact extrusion profile quoted. the material takes shape of the die once it is forced through it, thus completing the process. we finish off the process by cooling the extruded material using a set of cooling rolls for solidification to occur evenly.

What’s The Plastic Materials?

The plastic extrusion process works with several thermoplastics. We heat to high temperatures enough to melt them but not cause thermal decomposition. The temperature may vary from one thermoplastic to the next. Additionally, we use the process to prepare recycled plastic waste. Then we clean, sort, and blend into filaments for blending into resin pellet stocks.

Here are examples of the common plastics used:

• Polypropylene melts at 450oC
• Polystyrene melts at 450oC
• Nylon melts 450oC – 520oC
• Polyethylene melts at 400oC
• PVC melts at 350oC – 380oC

What’re The Applications of Plastic Extrusion?

Many companies make use of the process to make many parts. as mentioned, it is ideal for final products that need a consistent profile. Here are some we make.

• Wire Insulation

Thermoplastics have excellent thermal stability and electrical insulation. This makes them appropriate for extruding cable and wire insulation and jacketing. Additionally, fluoropolymers can be used for a similar purpose.

• Tubing and Pipes

the parts have a simple cylindrical profile. therefore, they are relatively easy to make using the extrusion process. the material used is PVC due to its sturdiness. an exterior gutter is also an example of extruded tubing.

• Weather Stripping

These are products designed to fit near door or window frames. For instance, a draft uses rubber as the source of weather stripping material.

• Blinds

Window blinds consist of multiple identical slats that need repeating. An extruder can do this with ease. Additionally, their profile is short lengths and the one-sided round ends. We preferable use polystyrene due to its lightweight to make blinds.

• Windshield Wipers

These are the tireless window wipers of a vehicle’s windshield. A synthetic rubber material such as ethylene propylene diene methylene makes them. Another way is by co-extruding synthetic rubber with natural rubber.

Compared The Aluminum Extrusion Vs Plastic Extrusion

At Creatingway, we can also extrude aluminum parts in addition to plastic extrusion. Aluminum is a highly malleable metal due to its soft characteristic that can be extruded into a continuous profile. The possible advantages of this process are conductivity, lightness, and recyclability. Come of the aluminum extruded parts include tracks, frames, piping, bars, and wires. the difference between it and plastic extrusion is the operating temperature. we do it at a temperature between 350°C – 500°C. the cold extrusion occurs at room temperature. Contact Creatingway now for your plastic manufacturing requirements.

 

Creatingway is concentrating on CNC machining manufacturing, prototype machining, low-volume manufacturing, metal fabrication, and parts finishing services, provide you the best support and services. ask us one inquire now.

Any questions or RFQ for metal& plastic technology and custom machining, welcome to contact us below

Call +86-0(755)-89492523 or send an inquiry to us

Welcome to visit us, For any metal and plastic design and machining questions, we are here to support you. Our services email address:

: sales@creatingway.com