Extrusion

Plastic and rubber extrusion is a manufacturing process in which profiles of rubber and plastic are made.

Extrusion is a method to make long profiles. A raw material, usually grunalate, is melted. The melted material is pushed through a cylinder which keeps the material at a suitable temperature. This is important as it will affect the final component's properties.

At the end of the cylinder there is a nozzle which is specific for the component. As the material passes the nozzle it will take the nozzle's shape. After the material has passed the nozzle, it is cooled and cut into appropriate pieces.

The process is continuous so there is, theoretically, no limit of the pieces' length. Some type of extruded products can be winded or cut into a given length.

Extrusion is performed in particular plastic moulding facilities. To determine if it is possible to extrude a component it is important to know dimensions, complexity of the profile, the force needed and what type of material.

Picture: Rotalac Plastics Ltd