Metal and Ceramic Mixtures

Materials such as engineering ceramics or hard metal mixtures are becoming increasingly popular because they are very hard, wear-, and temperature-resistant. Injection molding technology, which is widespread in the plastics processing industry, is becoming established 

Examples of products and a twin-screw extruder line for the manufacture of hard metal mixtures are shown in Figs. 14.19 and 14.20. The raw materials are supplied to the extruder as a pre-mix, plasticized and homogenized. If necessary, excess air can be removed by vacuum degassing. 

As shown in Fig. 14.20, the discharged product cools and hardens on a cooling belt and is cut in a strand pelletizer. Alternatively, it can be cut directly at the nozzle by a head pelletizer and cooled in a vibrating screen. 

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