Extrusion

Pipe, Profile & Tubing Extrusion 1 Nov 2004

Shhh ... Can You Hear the New Extruder Motors?

Silent, space-saving, energy-efficient, and high-torque, a new generation of ring-shaped motors is gaining a foothold in extrusion. A couple of hundred are already in use. Though most machine builders are reacting cautiously, adventurous processors are using them happily.

Extrusion 1 Nov 2004

Chasing Nanocomposites

Nano-sized particles have mega-potential in plastics because just a pinch does so much more than heavy loadings of other additives. Three recent conferences presented almost 200 papers on the feverish pace of ‘nano’ R&D on boosting plastics’ mechanical and barrier properties, flame retardancy, and electrical conductivity.

Postindustrial 1 Oct 2004

From Paper-Mill Sludge to Plastic Decking

Kadant Composites’ self-appointed mission for the past eight years has been to find commercial uses for paper sludge, a soggy mix of short cellulose fibers, calcium carbonate, and clay that is the copious byproduct of paper recycling.

Pipe, Profile & Tubing Extrusion 1 Sep 2004

K 2004 News Preview: Extrusion

At K 2004, at least a half-dozen European machine builders will show new direct-drive extruders running gearless—or nearly gearless—drives with substantially higher rpm and output rates than conventional extruders of the same size.

Film Extrusion 1 Aug 2004

Extrusion Coaters: Stop That Edge Weave

In extrusion coating, edge stability depends on uniform melt temperature.

Multiscrew 1 Aug 2004

Beyond Decking: Wood Composites Branch Out

Extruded decking still drives the embryonic wood-filled plastics market. But injection and compression molded wood composites are coming on strong, and extruded profiles are moving toward more complex millwork shapes.

Thermoforming 1 Aug 2004

PPS Role Shapes Up in Thermoforming

Thermoformers may find new opportunities in higher-performance applications with the arrival of thin-gauge PPS sheet from Penn Fibre Plastics (PFP). Highly crystalline PPS has until now resisted extrusion at less than 0.25-in. thickness due to its poor melt strength and the resulting sheet’s tendency toward brittleness.