Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubbers (TPR), are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) that consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties.

While most elastomers are thermosets, thermoplastics are in contrast relatively easy to use in manufacturing, for example, by injection molding. Thermoplastic elastomers show advantages typical of both rubbery materials and plastic materials.

We are committed to providing advanced extruder for all kind of TPE compounding. We would like to share the experience for the following special application:

Extruder Machine Specification:

Mode

Diameter

(mm)

L/D

speed

(r/min)

Motor power

(kw)

Torque

(N.m)

Capacity

(kg/h)

TSE-404132-5260045-5543790-150
TSE-5251.532-6060090-132682270-400
TSE-757132-64600-800200-2501365600-800

Six Generic Classes of Commercial TPEs

  • Styrenic block copolymers, TPS (TPE-s)
  • Thermoplastic polyolefinelastomers, TPO (TPE-o)
  • Thermoplastic Vulcanizates, TPV (TPE-v or TPV)
  • Thermoplastic polyurethanes, TPU (TPU)
  • Thermoplastic copolyester, TPC (TPE-E)
  • Thermoplastic polyamides, TPA (TPE-A)
 

Applications

  • Automotive (Dust cover, Triangular window, Air filter, Hand break, etc.)
  • Wire and cable (Electric cable, Ignition wire, Headphone wire, Connector plugs, etc.)
  • Construction & Transportation (Sealing strip, Expansion joint, Metro pads, etc.)
  • Other Industrial (Drain pipe, Handle, Cup mat, foot pad, Shoes, etc.)
 

Experience for Special Applications

2. TPR Compounding for Shoes

Comparing to the traditional process (kneader + single extruder), twin screw extruder can get more output and better dispersion.
Easily to change the color.
Water ring pelletizing.

Basic formula:

HIPS/CPPS + SBS + Paraffin Oil + CaCO3 + Silica + EVA + Stabilizer + Additives

Technical Specifications of Extruder 

Follow These Guidelines to Select the Right Pelletizing System

Which pelletizing system is right for your application? Is the one you’re using today necessarily the right choice for tomorrow? Here’s is an analysis that can help you decide among the three major options.
Property Pelletizing technology
strand Water ring underwater
shape cylindrical Round but flat spherical
Size distribution inconsistent Improved vs. strand Most consistent
Bulk density X X+5-10% X+5-10%
Clogging in hopper or at feed throat Highest tendency Mid-range tendency Lowest tendency (spheres act like ball bearings)
Dusting High, due to cut in solid phase Less, due to cut in melt phase Less, due to cut in melt phase and to flowability of spheres.
Extrusion
In the extrusion process the TPE pellets are poured into a hopper are heated in the barrel and turned into a melt by this heat and shear. A screw carries the melted plastic through a shaped die to produce continuous lengths of shapes with the same profile, which are then cooled by air or water. Our TPE compounds are easily extruded into single and complex profiles. They can also be co-extruded with other materials to yield a part with both rigid and soft components. They exhibit improved profile flexibility. The SEBS compounds, with their saturated intermediate blocks, are very stable against thermal degradation. On the other hand, the SBS compounds degrade if overheated or if a screw with excessively high compression ratio is used. The information below is intended as a general overview, settings may vary depending on the specific grade selected. Please contact us for detailed processing information.

SEBS Based Materials

Equipment Extruders used for polyolefines are best for TPE compounds
Length/diameter (L/D) ratio Min. 20:1
Compression ratio Min. 3.5:1
Melt temperature Normally 150 – 210°C, although temperatures up to 260°C are permissible
Temperature profile Feed Zone to Die 170, 180, 190, 200 and 210°C is suitable, can be adjusted to suit grade and screw. (Lower temperature for the softer compounds.)
Screw design Best extruded using screws that have a high compression ratio (3:1) and long, fairly shallow feed zones. Screws with compression ratio of 3.0 – 4.5 are normally preferable. The softer compounds generally give a lower output at increased backpressure

SBS Based Materials

Equipment SBS based compounds can be extruded on virtually all types of extruders for thermoplastics. Since SBS compounds display less swelling than polyolefines, the length of the form giving part of the die is less critical
Length/diameter (L/D) ratio Min. 20:1
Compression ratio Min. 2.5:1
Melt temperature 150 – 205°C, should not exceed 205°C
Temperature profile 150°C at infeed zone to 205°C at the die, gives highest output
Screw design Compression ratio should be low, the melt sections should be fairly deeply threaded and the L/D ratio should be >20:1
 Processing Guide: TPE – Thermoplastic Elastomers
 Extruder: Single screw extruder with vacuum pressure-relieved grooved feeding section (by increased screw pitch and channel depth)
 Screw Design: Barrier screw, 25 – 30 L/D
 Compression Ratio: 3,5:1
 Cylinder Temperatures: 150-185°C 302-365°F
 Melt Temperature: 175-200°C 347-392°F
 Pre-Drying: no,but 2 hours at 80°C (176°F) if extreme temperature change
 Calibration: no,but supporting inner pressure if hollow profiles
 Miscellaneous: Breaker plate/screens for higher back pressure and therefore smoother profile surface
Note: This is meant as a general guide. Please consult your material and machinery representative.

Kairong is a renowned manufacturer in the plastics manufacturing and processing industry, specializing in underwater pelletizing systems and centrifugal dryers. With many years of experience, Kairong is known for its innovative technologies and expertise in designing and manufacturing tailor-made solutions for polymer processing, production, and recycling applications. Their underwater pelletizing systems can handle a wide range of materials, including polymers, color masterbatches, thermoplastic elastomers, and more.

The pelletizing systems offered by Kairong are not limited to thermoplastics but can be used for any materials with similar properties. These systems provide precision pelletizing solutions, both standard and customized, to enhance the production process and achieve maximum performance. The advantages of using Kairong underwater pelletizing systems include spherical pellet shape, higher bulk density, reduced dust during transportation, and decreased stickiness due to smaller contact areas. Additionally, the systems can process a wide range of viscosities, produce micro pellets, and ensure constant product quality with an automated and closed system.

Kairong’s underwater cutting pelletizer, known as Underwater, is a versatile system suitable for highly fluid polymers. It utilizes blades fully immersed in water to ensure a homogeneous product without agglomerates. This system is ideal for applications such as recycling, biopolymers, wood polymers, and compounding.

The characteristics of Kairong’s underwater pelletizing system include underwater granule cutting, options for diathermic oil or electric heating system for die plates, a safe pelletizing process, closed-loop water circulation system, and a user-friendly push-button drive. The advantages of their underwater pelletizing process include granulation of highly fluid products, absence of agglomerates, production of microgranules, low pressure granulation on the supply chain, optimized water consumption, and easy production changes.

Projects

Country:Bangladesh

Customer Code:3103Country:BangladeshCapacity:300-500 kg/hPelletizing system:water ring pelletizing lineExtruder:TSE-65Material:TPR (PP/PE/PS+SEBS+SBS+oil+filler)

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