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The Incredible Advantages of Polymer Extrusion Process.

by Gregory Scott

It's is quite entertaining to see how many people think nothing of the process of plastic profile extrusion. And look over the fact we use plastic products abundantly every day. So to acknowledge the lazy people who pass the words Plastic Profile Extrusion without any thought; this is for you! I only feel people should at least knowledge that the process exists because you can't go anywhere without seeing one of its products. It is simply the process of Plastic being melted down into a continuous profile, and cut to length. It's a manufacturer of many products such as Plastic piping, window frames and adhesive tape. In the extrusion process it begins with tiny beads of plastic that are fed into a heated extruder or cavity.

Wanting to see this next process live, Youtube.com showed me everything I needed to know as if I was standing right in an extrusion factory. The plastic is usually in bead form as it is fed into the cavity. After the plastic is fed into the cavity, colorants and sometimes UV inhibitors are added to the plastic.

Once inside the plastic extrusion machine all the material and beads move through an opening in the extruder cavity towards a screw mechanism. The screw rotates and forces the plastic material through the cavity.

It is necessary for 3 instead of 1 because of the potential of the plastic overheating. Burnt plastic is not a friend of mine or anyone else's. It's a good system and works every time. Friction and pressure within the cavity also have a great deal to do with this process.

The temperature needs to be that high in order for the plastic to reach its melting point, this is pretty interesting, many plastic extrusion processes involved the use of three different heaters. This is due to overheating being a problem in the extrusion process.

Cooling fans are also usually used to keep the plastic at whatever desired temperature. The extrusion process continues with the molten plastic traveling through a specially designed filter. This filter helps eliminate any remaining contaminants from the plastic. Following the filter comes the die!

The dye the molten plastic goes in is responsible for the plastics profile. Different dyes are used in different types of Plastic Product Manufacturing. After the die is added it's time for the finally cooling and a water sealed bath. Sometimes cooling rollers replace the water bath for more delicate plastic products

When it is put into the dye it must immediately put into a water sealed bath, for the final stage in the cooling process. Cooling Rolls are used for more delicate window shutters. I wonder how interesting it'd be to stand and witness right in front of those huge cooling rollers. Now it's time for the final step in this fast paced adrenaline rushing process!

The plastic product manufacturing wraps up with the plastic wither being spooled, coiled, or cut to the desired length. Most plastic companies follows the same process for the best result. Next time you need Window frames or plastic molded parts you know how it's made!

Published November 7th, 2010

Filed in Business


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