Compounding and Extrusion Features

The barrels and screws of Thermo Scientific compounders and extruders are specifically designed to maximize process flexibility.

A fully segmented screw design matches process requirements with a wide range of conveying, mixing, and extrusion elements.

The horizontal split barrel design has a removable top that can be opened for easy cleaning and process inspection. Multiple optional barrel ports can be utilized for feeding of liquids and solids. Program multiple temperature zones to adjust temperature along the process to fit any application.

Increased extruder output in a manufacturing environment can typically be achieved by increasing the specific torque [Nm/cm³] of the extruder (i.e., increasing motor power). Transferring this strategy to R&D and pilot labs would require screws with larger inner diameters, thus automatically reducing the free volume in the extruder. This free volume is much more important than high torque, especially in small extruders, as it would leave very little volume to process the material. To ensure all material can enter the extruder in these environments, our extruder design uses a high-free-volume approach (e.g., do/di = 1.73) with appropriate specific torque to generate the necessary throughput. 

Successful scale-up is only possible if materials on production-scale extruders undergo the same processes as on the smaller, lab-scale extruders. (I.e., similar screw geometries, process lengths, and specific energies.) Generally, this also means that the residence time of the material within the extruder would be the same. Thermo Scientific screw geometries are intentionally similar throughout our range of parallel twin-screw extruders. This helps to transfer lab processes into production, following a scientific approach and avoiding intermediate steps.

The functionality of our stand-alone extruders can easily be controlled via the integrated human-machine interface touchscreen. It allows for fast toggling between separate overview, setup, and parameter screens; attached feeders and downstream equipment are represented using clear graphics. One click opens a context menu for full control over all respective parameters. Consistent user guidance simplifies handling, lowers the learning curve, and minimizes operator errors.

The Thermo Scientific Process 11 Parallel Twin-Screw Extruder helps you reduce the time and money spent formulating new polymer compounds. It uses 67% less material than a comparable 16 mm extruder while still delivering meaningful results in process and end-product optimization. Process conditions are reached quickly, allowing nearly twice as many experiments to be performed when compared to a standard production-scale (i.e., 24 mm) extruder. 

The Thermo Scientific HAAKE PolyLab OS System is a modular torque rheometer that combines measuring, mixing, and extrusion to meet your quality control and R&D needs. The drive unit can be connected to an interchangeable measuring sensor as well as a mixer, single-screw extruder, or conical/parallel twin-screw extruder.

This measurement platform lets you analyze material properties, simulate production processes, and perform capillary rheology to determine flow characteristics under real process conditions.