Evolution of chemistry, morphology and rheology of various polymer systems along a twin-screw extruder

Abstract

Intermeshing twin-screw extruders have nowadays found special application niches such as the extrusion of PVC dry blends (counter-rotating machines) and compounding operations (co-rotating machines). Thus, it is of interest to study the mechanical and/or chemical effects that occur along the screw axis of the extruders, since they will dictate the characteristics and performance of the final material. This work aims at illustrating the usefulness of a simple experimental tool recently developed for the study of the physical, chemical and morphological evolution along the extruder of polymer based systems, data being presented and discussed for a number of composites and blends.