Plastic Extrusion Glossary Words of Term

Glossary words are an alphabetical list of terms in a particular knowledge domain. Only by understanding the meaning of the glossary can you be a full member of the industry.

Plastic extrusion is a high-volume manufacturing process in which raw plastic is melted and formed into a continuous profile. There is more content in the plastic extrusion industry than terminology, but it is a great start.

In this article, we will list and explain the main terms you should be aware of when learning about plastic extrusion.

lAbrasion Resistance:

The material's capability resists mechanical actions such as rubbing, scraping, erosion.

lABS:

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a high-temperature resistant thermoplastic copolymer with good adhesion properties. ABS is one of the most widely used engineering thermoplastics and is mainly used for indoor applications.

lAlloy:

The composite material consists of polymers with other elastomers, such as ABS and Polycarbonate.

lAcetal (POM):

Acetal is a highly crystalline thermoplastic engineering resin with excellent mechanical properties and resistance to many chemicals. This material is widely used for plastic pipes.

lAdditive:

A compound added to a polymer plastic to improve the characteristics of the polymer, such as a lubricant, stabilizer, and plasticizer.

lBarrel:

This part of the extruder contains the plastic extrusion feed screw, which can be a single or twin screw.

lBioplastics:

Bioplastics, such as thermoplastic starch, are a form of plastics derived from renewable biomaterial sources. Biodegradable bioplastics are used for disposable items, such as packaging and catering items.

lBlow molding(blow forming):

It is a manufacturing process to produce hollow plastic parts, such as bottles and tanks. In general, there are three main types: extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, and stretch blow molding.

lBlown Film:

It is a process that includes extruding a continuous thin-walled tube of plastic material and inflating the material immediately after the plastic leaves the die.

lBloom(migration):

The greasy cloud effect or white powdery deposits appear on the surface of a plastic product.

lCable extrusion:

It's the process of extruding cables for wire sheathing or coating. According to the extruded plastic profile application, various plastic materials can be used for this process, such as PVC and HDPE.

lCellular Plastic:

Plastics contain numerous small components, and some of them are interconnected.

lColour pigment (masterbatch):

A concentrated mixture of pigments, additives, and fillers is added to the base plastic polymer in appropriate amounts to obtain the desired color.

lCompression zone(transition/melting zone):

The compression zone is in the extruder screw barrel. Most of the plastic compound is melted in this section.

lCross Linking:

Plastics form chemical bonds between molecular chains during the curing process, making them unable to reshape.

lDecompression zone:

The zone in a double screw extruder relieves the pressure and allows any trapped gases to be drawn out by vacuum.

lDegradation:

Due to exposure to heat, light, and oxygen, degradation is a destructive change of plastic materials.

lDie:

A steel block contains an opening to shape the plastic extrusions to the desired form.

lDrawdown:

The drafting process pulls the plastic extrudate away from the mold at a linear speed higher than the speed at which the melt exits the mold.

lElasticity:

Elasticity is the process of recovery to the original size and shape after the deformation of the material.

lExtrudate:

The plastic products are delivered from a plastic extrusion manufacturer, such as PVC and UPVC tubes

lFiller:

Inert material is added to a polymer to improve the properties, usually in powder or fiber form such as wood pulp, cotton flock, and talc.

lFlow Rate:

The volume of plastic compounds passes a fixed point per unit time.

lGauge:

Recycled plastic or plastic film thickness is measured in decimal inches or mils.

lGloss:

The brightness of plastic comes from the smooth surface of recycled plastics and plastic materials.

lHaze:

Cloudiness in the plastic film is measured as percent haze.

lHIPS:

High Impact Polystyrene is a low density, rigid, and clear plastic extrusion material mostly used for indoor applications.

lHopper Loader:

Auxiliary equipment that automatically loads plastic particles into the hopper.

lImpact Resistance:

The resistance of plastic extrusions to fracture under pressure applied at high speeds.

lImpact Strength:

Plastic extrudates can withstand impact loads.

lJacket:

A tough sheath made of plastic material protects an insulated wire.

lJig:

The jig is the tool to hold parts of an assembly during the manufacturing process.

lKelvin:

The Kelvin scale is a thermodynamic temperature scale.

lLight, UV Stabilizers:

The additives can increase the ability of the material to withstand the negative effect of light and ultraviolet (UV) exposure.

lLubricant:

Internal lubricants promote the flow of plastic resin. On the other hand, external lubricants promote release from metals.

lMelt Conveying(Metering zone):

This zone melts the last plastic resin particles and mixes them uniformly.

lMolecular Weight:

It's the sum of the atomic weights of all atoms in a molecule.

lNeck-In:

The difference between the width of the extrusion die opening and the width of the coating on the plastic substrate in extrusion coating.

lOctene:

A comonomer is used to produce linear low-density polyethylene plastics.

lOleamide:

An ivory-colored powder is used as a slip additive in polyolefin plastics.

lPermeation:

Gas, vapor, liquid, or solid passing through the barrier inside the plastic material without affecting the plastic.

lPlasticizer:

A substance is incorporated in a plastic compound increases flexibility, softness, or extensibility

lQuality Assurance/Control:

The plastics sector has stringent industry regulations and standards, from plastic resin suppliers to finished plastic extrusions.

lReprocessed Plastic:

Thermoplastics are made from industrial waste plastics other than the original processor.

lRigid PVC:

Polyvinyl chloride is characterized by a relatively high degree of hardness.

lScrap:

Any waste plastic products that cannot be used as primary products.

lShrinkage:

Shrinkage means the cooling shrinkage of all plastic extrudates or other plastic products.

lStearamide:

Most plastic product distributors use a slip additive in polyolefins.

lTalc:

A natural hydrous magnesium silicate is used frequently in plastic compounds.

lTreater:

Plastic manufacturers generally use equipment and processes to render a surface of inert plastics, such as polyethylene plastic.

lUPVC:

Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride is a rigid plastic polymer. UPVC is low maintenance and has strong resistance against chemicals, sunlight, and oxidation from water.

lVapour Barrier:

A layer of plastic material that water vapor will not pass.

lVirgin Material:

Plastic materials have not undergone the processing required for initial manufacturing.

lWarpage:

Warpage means a non-uniform change in internal stresses resulting in distortion of the plastic profile or part.

lWater White:

A grade of color that looks like clear water.

lYellowness Index:

Yellowness Index means a measure of the tendency of plastics to turn yellow when exposed to light or heat for a long time.

Conclusion

We hope this article was useful for learning the common glossary words of the plastic extrusion industry.

Boyu Plastic Machinery is a professional plastic extrusion machine manufacturer. Our company has over 20 years of plastic extrusion experience. In addition, we provide professional technical support with more than 90 technical international and national patents.

If you want to know more about plastic extrusion and looking forward to a reliable supplier, focus on our website and contact us!