Understanding the Fundamentals of Polymer Compounding: Insight from Plastic Compounding Suppliers

Polymer compounding is a process that occurs following the production of a polymer. It entails blending additives into a polymer and mixing different polymers to develop new, custom-made plastics. This process is essential for enhancing the sustainable application of plastics, which can only be achieved by including additional substances like additives.

Compounding can occur at the polymer manufacturer's location or a specialized compounder. The entire operation of the compounding plant is complex, focusing on the compounding process. The heart of a compounding plant is the extruder, which carries out the crucial phase of melt compounding.

The Compounding Process and Role of the Extruder

Thermoplastics, usually found in pellet form, undergo melting during the compounding process. Additives are incorporated, and the blend is potentially degassed and pelletized again. The most critical machine in a compounding line is an extruder. The extruder facilitates several stages in a standard compounding process, from feeding solids, plasticizing, and including fillers to dispersing, homogenizing, degassing, and eventually discharging the final product.

Types of Extruders and Masterbatch Production

Extruders can melt pellets and blend additives economically in a continuous process. The type of extruder most commonly used is the co-rotating twin-screw extruder. Compounding extruders are also used to produce intermediate products, often called masterbatch production.

Compounding extruders are generally externally dosed, meaning the throughput is determined by external dosing devices, typically differential weigh feeders. For more information about polymer compounding and masterbatch production, please call our talented team. We have the tools, experience, and knowledge to solve problems and tackle any job. We are leading plastics compounding suppliers.