Compounding
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Read MoreCelanese Acquires Conductive Plastics Compounder
The acquisition of Cool Polymers includes its thermally and electrically conductive compounds, as well as electrically insulative compounds, based on a variety of engineering plastics and elastomers.
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The Paradox of Proportioning
Continuous proportioning typically involves a group of gravimetric feeders operating under some form of higher level coordinating control. One would think the result should be a perfectly formulated composite stream. But the devil is in the details.
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Barrel Repair: When Does It Make Sense?
Repairing a barrel can save you time and money vs. buying a brand-new one. But it’s not an easy fix and not even always possible.
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What Processors Are Doing To Bridge the Skills Gap
Seasoned technicians are leaving, and replacing them with youngsters is a challenge. But some processors have taken dramatic initiatives to change how young people think about manufacturing and are bringing the next generation into the fold.
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Solving Common Problems in Underwater Pelletizing
Pellet quality and consistency are critical to any compounding operation. But in underwater pelletizing, a variety of issues can stand in the way. Here’s how to fix them.
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Compounding PLA on Twin-Screws: What Testing Reveals
Twin-screw extrusion is the preferred method for compounding PLA and other biopolymers. But processing PLA is complicated because it’s sensitive to heat and shear. It’s also prone to hydrolytic degradation if moisture is present in molten PLA. Here’s what one machine builder’s trials revealed.
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Industry Expands Again
January was the third month in a row and the fifth time in six months that index was higher than it was one year ago.
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Did I Say Mexico Was Hot?
On Jan. 2, I wrote that Mexico was benefiting from the trend of 鈥渞eshoring鈥 manufacturing jobs from Asia to North America. New evidence of that trend came in today from PolyOne Corp.
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