Compounding

In compounding, various materials (polymers, additives, etc.) are mixed and melted—generally in an extruder of some type—then pelletized. Most compounding extruders purchased nowadays are of the twin-screw corotating/intermeshing variety, though counterrotating twins are used for some applications. Compounding extrusion lines are typically equipped with gravimetric feeding systems that dose materials into the extruders at very specific rates. In certain applications, extruders are equipped with vent ports that pull unwanted moisture and other volatiles from the polymer stream.

A Purge Solution for the Blow Molding and Compounding Industries
SPONSORED

A Purge Solution for the Blow Molding and Compounding Industries

New commercial purge compounds for new industries from Chem-Trend.

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ESSENTIAL READING

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How to Configure Your Twin-Screw Barrel Layout
best practices

How to Configure Your Twin-Screw Barrel Layout

In twin-screw compounding, most engineers recognize the benefits of being able to configure screw elements. Here’s what you need to know about sequencing barrel sections.  

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What to Know About Your Materials When Choosing a Feeder
Extrusion

What to Know About Your Materials When Choosing a Feeder

Feeder performance is crucial to operating extrusion and compounding lines. And consistent, reliable feeding depends in large part on selecting a feeder compatible with the materials and additives you intend to process. Follow these tips to analyze your feeder requirements.

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How to Configure Your Twin-Screw Extruder for Mixing: Part 5
Multiscrew

How to Configure Your Twin-Screw Extruder for Mixing: Part 5

Understand the differences between distributive and dispersive mixing, and how you can promote one or the other in your screw design.

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How to Configure Your Twin-Screw Extruder: Part 3
Multiscrew

How to Configure Your Twin-Screw Extruder: Part 3

The melting mechanism in a twin-screw extruder is quite different from that of a single screw. Design of the melting section affects how the material is melted, as well as melt temperature and quality.

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How to Configure Your Twin-Screw Extruder -- Part 2
Know-How

How to Configure Your Twin-Screw Extruder -- Part 2

Follow these tips to configure your twin-screw elements to promote feeding and solids conveying.

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Improving Twin-Screw Compounding of Reinforced Polyolefins
Know-How

Improving Twin-Screw Compounding of Reinforced Polyolefins

Compounders face a number of processing challenges when incorporating a high loading of low-bulk-density mineral filler into polyolefins. Here are some possible solutions.

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Process Cooling

Latest Compounding News And Updates

Ross Reducing Prices on Batch High-Shear Mixers
Compounding

Ross Reducing Prices on Batch High-Shear Mixers

Base prices of Series 100 and Series 500 Production Batch High Shear Mixers reduced by up to 40%.  

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Extrusion

Coperion Moves to Streamline US Operations

Machine builder is relocating Salina operation to existing facilities in Kansas, Wisconsin and Missouri.  

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Compounding

Geon Buys Medical Compounder Foster

Move intended to broaden GEON’s portfolio in the medical market.    

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Dual-Shaft Mixer for Robust Industrial Mixing
Compounding

Dual-Shaft Mixer for Robust Industrial Mixing

Units are engineered for wide-ranging densities and viscosities up to several hundred thousand centipoise.  

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Fixed Tank Dual Shaft Mixer/Pressure Reactor
Compounding

Fixed Tank Dual Shaft Mixer/Pressure Reactor

This mixer is said to be well suited for processes that require meticulous control over mixing, temperature and pressure in a compact and portable module.   

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Compact Extruder for High-Output Compounding, Recycling
Recycling

Compact Extruder for High-Output Compounding, Recycling

Sleek, flexible machine can process PET up to 6 tons per hour.  

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Plastics Size Reduction

Featured Posts

Optimizing Melt-Fed Single-Screw Extruders on Compounding Lines
Extrusion Know How

Optimizing Melt-Fed Single-Screw Extruders on Compounding Lines

The main problem with melt-fed extruders that are starve-fed is setting the depth of the metering channel. In this scenario, we describe how this problem was solved.  

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Understanding 'Boundary Conditions' in Twin-Screw Compounding
Multiscrew

Understanding 'Boundary Conditions' in Twin-Screw Compounding

In twin-screw compounding, the objective is generally to produce the highest quality product at the maximum strand. But sometimes there are operating parameters that prevent this objective from being realized.  

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How to Configure Your Twin-Screw Barrel Layout
best practices

How to Configure Your Twin-Screw Barrel Layout

In twin-screw compounding, most engineers recognize the benefits of being able to configure screw elements. Here’s what you need to know about sequencing barrel sections.  

Read More
Research Deems Bioplastics, Wood Pulp a Sustainable, Economic Alternative for Rigid Packaging
sustainability

Research Deems Bioplastics, Wood Pulp a Sustainable, Economic Alternative for Rigid Packaging

Farrel Pomini and FPInnovations produce biodegradable compound for molding, extrusion and thermoforming applications.

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What to Know About Your Materials When Choosing a Feeder
best practices

What to Know About Your Materials When Choosing a Feeder

Feeder performance is crucial to operating extrusion and compounding lines. And consistent, reliable feeding depends in large part on selecting a feeder compatible with the materials and additives you intend to process. Follow these tips to analyze your feeder requirements.

Read More
Sirmax Adapts Integrated Recycling Approach to US Supply Conditions
Compounding

Sirmax Adapts Integrated Recycling Approach to US Supply Conditions

Integrating compounding and recycling to leverage untapped postindustrial recycling feedstocks.

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Blending & Dosing

FAQ: Compounding

How can I optimize my twin-screw compounding process?

We identify problems in compounding as “chronic” if the results are the same every time a particular formulation is run. For these problems, the treatment requires redesigning the screw configuration or modifying the compounding process. This is the only way to cure such problems.

How to update process for biopolymer compounding on a twin-screw extruder?

Many new players have emerged in the biopolymer space with new materials and many new formulations. Co-rotating twin-screw extruders provide excellent material mixing capabilities for all polymers, including biopolymers. You should consider your machinery supplier as a development partner to achieve your goals in the areas of melt and mix quality, production rates, and other parameters, regardless of formulation. Make sure your machinery supplier has the facilities and the know-how to help you test material formulations and improve your processes.

What is the correct pelletizing system?

Pelletizers are essential components in resin manufacture, compounding, masterbatch production, and recycling. A high-volume system that is appropriate for a polymerization plant will be very different from one that suits the needs of a toll compounder. One that can produce micropellets for use in masterbatch may not be the best choice for processing post-consumer regrind. Here are some different types of pelletizers.

  • UNDERWATER PELLETIZERS
  • WATERRING PELLETIZERS
  • STRAND PELLETIZERS

Compounding Supplier Categories