What is compounding extruder screw and barrel?

Compound extrusion screws and barrels are special components used in extruders, mainly for mixing, processing and plasticizing polymer materials. They are usually made of high-strength steel to withstand high pressures and temperatures.

In an extruder, the function of the composite extrusion screw and barrel is to inject the raw material (usually plastic pellets or granules) into the extrusion screw and push it into the barrel by rotation. In the barrel, the material is gradually plasticized and mixed under the action of high temperature and high pressure.

As the extrusion screw advances, the material is continuously pressurized and moved to the extrusion port. The shape of the extrusion nozzle determines the shape of the final product, such as round, square or flat. By adjusting the speed of the extrusion port and the extrusion screw, the flow rate and pressure of the material can be controlled, thereby realizing the quality control of the final product.

Therefore, the composite extrusion screw and barrel are very critical components in the extruder, which can ensure the plasticization and mixing process of polymer materials, so as to produce high-quality plastic products.

Factors to consider when choosing a compounding extruder screw and barrel

When selecting a compound extrusion screw and barrel, the following factors should be considered:

Material: Different types of polymer materials require different compound extrusion screws and barrels. For example, polypropylene (PP) material requires different extrusion screws and barrels than polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. Therefore, you need to understand the materials used before purchasing, and select the corresponding screw and barrel according to the properties of the material.

Proportion and shape: The proportion and shape of the coextrusion screw and barrel depends on the final product that needs to be manufactured. For example, the compound extrusion screws and barrels required to produce lawn netting are different from those required to produce plastic pipe. Therefore, after determining the final product that needs to be produced, the compound extrusion screw and barrel suitable for the product type can be selected.

Processing capacity: The processing capacity of the compound extrusion screw and barrel is very important. This means they must withstand high temperatures and pressures and have sufficient capacity to handle the required polymer materials. Therefore, when selecting a compound extrusion screw and barrel, it is necessary to carefully consider whether its processing capacity meets the required requirements.

Quality and price: The quality of compound extrusion screw and barrel directly affects the quality of the final product. Therefore, when choosing, quality should be given priority. However, price is also an important factor, and it is necessary to save costs as much as possible on the premise of ensuring quality.

To sum up, when choosing a compound extrusion screw and barrel, you need to consider factors such as material, ratio and shape, processing capacity, and quality and price, and make trade-offs according to your needs.

Common screw and barrel problems

Here are some common compound extrusion screw and barrel problems and how to fix them:

Screw wear: After long-term use, the surface of the screw may wear, causing problems such as reduced processing capacity, reduced product quality, or downtime. Solutions include replacing the screw, applying an anti-wear coating, or using a different alloy.

Barrel Wall Wear: Similar to screw wear, barrel wall wear can lead to reduced throughput, reduced product quality, or downtime. Solutions include replacing the entire barrel, lining the barrel with a wear-resistant material, or using a different alloy.

Screw breakage: The screw is overloaded or broken for other reasons, which will lead to increased downtime and repair time. Solutions include selecting the proper thread length and depth for the application, as well as regular inspection and maintenance.

Oversized or deformed particles: Oversized or deformed particles can cause clogging or other flow problems and affect the appearance and performance of the final product. Solutions include adjusting feed rates, reducing particle size, or replacing in-cylinder mixing elements.

Cleaning issues: Regular cleaning of the screw and barrel is an important maintenance step, but the cleaning process can affect the productivity of the machine. Solutions include the use of professional cleaning agents and equipment, and downtime for maintenance when necessary.

In conclusion, when using compound extrusion screws and barrels, some problems are often encountered. Timely inspection and maintenance can help reduce the occurrence of these problems and maximize the life of the equipment.

The compound extrusion screw and barrel are the core components of the extruder and are crucial to the production of high-quality plastic products. Proper screw and barrel selection can increase productivity, reduce failures and downtime, while still ensuring a high-quality product.

In short, the correct selection of compound extrusion screw and barrel has a crucial impact on the production efficiency and product quality of the extruder, so the above factors need to be carefully considered and trade-offs should be made when choosing.