Extrusion processes melt conveying

However, the melting or plasticating process that follows the solids conveying zone is a relatively complex one, and unlike the melt extrusion and solids conveying processes, the detailed physical melting mechanisms cannot be easily visualized, predicated, and modeled from basic principles without experimental investigation. 

We now follow the modeling approach outlined for the melt extrusion process. We assume steady state conditions and a given mass flow rate then, starting from the hopper, where initial conditions are known, calculations are made in finite steps, ending up at the die, with extrudate pressure, mean temperature, and solids content. If the flow rate at these conditions does not match that of the die, or if the calculations break down for some reason (e.g., insufficient solids conveying), calculations are repeated at a new mass flow rate. 

Materials can be extruded in the molten state or in the solid state. Polymers are generally extruded in the molten state however, some applications involve solid-state extrusion of polymers. If the polymer is fed to the extruder in the solid state and the material is melted as it is conveyed by the extruder screw from the feed port to the die, the process is called plasticating extrusion. In this case, the extruder performs an additional function, namely melting, besides the regular extrusion function. Sometimes the extruder is fed with molten polymer this is called melt fed extrusion. In melt fed extrusion, the extruder acts purely as a pump, developing the pressure necessary to force the polymer melt through the die. 

Radical induced grafting may be carried out in solution, in the melt phase,292 29 or as a solid state process.296 This section will focus on melt phase grafting to polyolefin substrates but many of the considerations are generic. The direct grafting of monomers onto polymers, in particular polyolefins, in the melt phase by reactive extrusion has been widely studied. Most recently, the subject has been reviewed by Moad1 9 and by Russell.292 More details on reactive extrusion as a technique can be found in volumes edited by Xanthos," A1 Malaika and Baker et a 21 7 The process most often involves combining a frcc-radical initiator (most commonly a peroxide) and a monomer or macromonomer with the polyolefin as they are conveyed through the extruder. Monomers commonly used in this context include MAII (Section 7.6.4.1), maleimidc derivatives and malcate esters (Section 7.6.4.2), (meth)acrylic acid and (meth)acrylate esters (Section 7.6.43), S, AMS and derivatives (Section 7.6.4.4), vinylsilancs (Section 7.6.4.5) and vinyl oxazolines (Section 7.6.4.6). 

The fundamental processes and mechanisms that control single-screw extrusion are presented in Chapters 5 through 8. These processes include solids conveying, melting, polymer fluid flow, and mixing. The analyses presented in these chapters focus on easily utilized functions needed to assess the operation of the single-screw extruder. The derivation of these relationships will be presented in detail in the appendices for those who desire to explore the theory of extrusion in more detail. 

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