Single-Screw Extrusion and Die Flows

Extrusion is by far the most important method for shaping polymers. Extrusion is a continuous p ocess based on a screw/barrel system and used to produce finished or semifinished products (films, plates, pipes, profiles, cable insulation) by forcing the polymer melt through a die, as Figure 5.1 illustrates for a line for pipe manufacturing. Extrusion is also used for pelletizing, polymerization, or compounding.