Premium
Advanced compounding: Extrusion of polypropylene nanocomposites using the melt pump
Author(s) -
Kracalik Milan,
Laske Stephan,
Gschweitl Michael,
Friesenbichler Walter,
Langecker Günter Rüdiger
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.29888
Subject(s) - materials science , plastics extrusion , extrusion , polypropylene , compounding , composite material , melt flow index , mixing (physics) , rheology , screw pump , polymer , mechanical engineering , engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , copolymer
A melt pump was assembled into the compounding line to ensure both sufficient time for diffusion process of polymer chains into the silicate gallery and sufficient mechanical shear energy for exfoliation of clay layers. The melt pump in front of the open co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder controls the throughput rate and the residence time, whereas the screw speed and screw geometry in the extruder determine the mechanical shear energy applied on the compound. Due to melt pump employment, the melt in metering zone can be accumulated, which results in higher mixing efficiency. It was found that using the melt pump leads to up to two times higher residence time and, consequently, higher level of material reinforcement as investigated by extensional rheology. Different melt pump adjustments, screw geometries, and screw speeds were tested and their effect on processing characteristics and material reinforcement was investigated. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009