Compounding

Young woman at compounding machine
The Plastics Engineering Department has significant facilities for compounding or mixing polymer systems.  These facilities contain
This equipment is used for undergraduate and graduate teaching laboratories as well research on equipment performance, new materials, and recycling.

Leistritz Extrusion Laboratory

This laboratory, located in Ball Hall, Room 108, is sponsored by Leistritz Group’s Extrusion Technology unit, which manufactures twin screw extruders and related equipment.  It contains two twin screw extrusion lines. 

Equipment

  • Leistritz co-rotating twin screw extruder
    • Diameter is 27 mm and L/D is 40:1; maximum speed is ~ 1000 rpm
    • Strand die
    • Water bath and conveyor
    • Puller
  • ThermoPrism co-rotating twin screw extruder
    • Diameter is 11 mm and L/D is 40:1; maximum speed is ~ 1000 rpm
    • Strand die, water bath, puller, pelletizer
    • Other dies and downstream equipment 

Websites

Compounding Laboratory

Young woman working in compounding lab

This laboratory, located in Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center (ETIC), Room 125A, contains multiple extruders as well as volumetric and gravimetric feeders, water baths, pullers, and pelletizers. The two high speed extrusion lines were donated by Technnovel Corporation and the third extruder was significantly discounted by Leistritz.

Equipment

  • Leistritz co-rotating twin screw extruder
    • Diameter is 18 mm and L/D is 40:1; maximum speed is ~1000 rpm
    • Side stuffer
    • Strand die
  • Technovel ultrahigh speed co-rotating twin screw extruder 
    • Diameter is 15 mm and L/D is 60:1; maximum speed is ~4400 rpm
    • Side stuff
    • Strand die
    • Flat film die (width: 6 inches) and rolls for stretching the film
  • Technovel ultrahigh speed co-rotating quad screw extruder
    • Four parallel screws
    • Diameter is 15 mm and L/D is 45:1; maximum speed is ~2200 rpm
    • Side stuffer
    • Strand die

Websites

Farrel Pomini Laboratory Compact Processor

Farrel-Pomini equipment
A Farrel Pomini Laboratory Compact Processor (CPeX) is located in the ETIC high bay. It has counter-rotating, non-intermeshing rotors. This processor is on consignment from Farrel Pomini.

Website