When there are hundreds of different kinds of polymers, why use an extraneous process called thermoplastic compounding? The majority of us begin our day by using a product that is compounded. Bread dough being made is a classical case of ordinary use of compounded wheat flour. This operation could actually be accomplished by using a twin-screw extruder, because the fundamentals of compounding are the same. Thermoplastic compounding is utilized to create new plastics in this modern age, because a vast variety of plastic materials are required to fulfill a wide range of applications. Also, to discover and craft a new molecule to fit each and every one of these applications is an incredibly expensive endeavor. This process offers a fast, simple, and inexpensive alternative to engage in the discovery of new molecules. That is the reason why thermoplastic compounding has ended up as such a popular process to modify the base polymer's properties. Some of the most fascinating polymers would have never become commercial success stories if they were not put through compounding. PVC, for starters, is a widely known example. In fact, until recently, most polymers were immediately compounded upon synthesis, because they would not survive without various additives and stabilizers for more than mere hours, unless extensive measures were taken to protect them from the likes of air, heat, and light. Polypropylene is one of the many examples. There are new processes and technologies that incorporate said additives in the reaction's final stages, thereby eliminating the entire compounding process, a critical element in the polymer's survival. In actuality, the process of compounding consists of a multitude of different unit operations occurring inside the extruder. The basic process can essentially be defined by the Three Ms: Melt, Mix, and Meter. The key difference between typical extrusion and compounding extrusion is that in the latter, there is a particular emphasis on mixing, whereas in the former, the spotlight is on metering and melting. During normal extrusion, the mixing section is either absent or present and insignificant. In practice, there is so much more meat to compounding process than just the three Ms. In fact, there are five distinct steps: feeding, mixing, melting, venting and metering. To top it all off, it usually ends up becoming a six-step process, when there is an extra feeding operation, downstream of the melting section, particularly when utilizing fibers of glass. When it comes to thermoplastic compounding, things are hardly ever what you would call simple. By incorporating a vast range of fillers, additives, and reinforcers, an incredible range of properties can be achieved. These properties include flame retardant properties, conductivity, and wear resistance. Many engineers independently choose the additives based on the customer's unique performance criteria. For example, fibers of glass can be added at multiple different levels to increase stiffness in a resin that is too flexible for its own good. The possibilities of thermoplastic compounding are truly remarkable. For the most advanced thermoplastic compounding, rely on the team at OTECH Corporation. Learn more at http://www.otechcompounds.com.
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