Equipment

EQUIPMENT ci

APV Baker launches new laboratory APV Baker has introduced a

acquisition software is provid-

new generation of laboratory-

ed by fellow Invensys compa-

introduced to

scale twin-screw extruders. Features to maximize control,

ny Wonderware. A touch-

suit all length

screen terminal gives precise,

variants.

the acquisition and manage-

immediate response. APV Baker says that its labora-

A swing-away feeder support

ation have been developed to

tory twin-screw extruders are

for improved

meet a clear need within the

available in a range of process-

operator con-

thermoplastics compounding

ing lengths from 15: 1 to 40: 1.

venience per-

ment of data, and ease of oper-

extruders

base has been

and masterbatch sectors, says

They are designed for simple

mits emptying

the company.

operation with a clam-shell

and cleaning of

An increased screw speed capa-

barrel design allowing easy

bility of up to 1000 rpm pro-

cleaning, optimization of the

the feeder away from the

motes exact replication of lab-

process, and rapid change of

extruder; for improved opera-

constructed from stainless steel

oratory work to industrial

screw configurations.

tor safety, fully insulated barrel

and with a swing-open nip roll

scales, where the trend is to

A more compact drive arrange-

covers are fitted as standard.

for improved cleaning access;

run at a higher rpm. This also

ment has been introduced which incorporates an in-line

Access to the gearbox output

and strand lines for thermo-

shafts has been improved for

plastics operations.

extends the range of materials that can be handled.

servo motor and planetary

easier agitator shaft removal

Contact:

According to the company,

gearbox. Extruder electrics are

and refitting.

full data logging allowing continuous monitoring of all

now housed in a separate ter-

The range of purpose built

minal box on the rear of the

ancillaries includes a new chill

product control parameters is

machine for improved access; a

roll for powder coatings and

an option. InTouchTM data

simple, modular telescopic

reprographic toners,

APV Baker Tel: +44 I733 283000 Fax: +44 1733 283004 E-mail: mark.shearsmitb@ invensys.com

To find out more about this absolutely innovative system please contact us. We will inform you about the process, the profitability and the possibtlities to check your product in our test facilities. Rieter Automatik GmbH, Ostring 19, 63762 Grossostheim, Germany Phone +49-6026-503-O, Fax +49-6026-503-109, e-mail: sales.pmQrieter-automatik.de

RES No.006

- USE THE

FAST NEW ENQUIRY

Q

SERVICE

@ www.addcomp.com

Plastics Additives & Compounding November 2002

Conair

introduces

The new Vortex Spray Pellet&r

best performance existing

reduced

(VSP) combines

the

features of

underwater

and water-

ring pelletizer designs that improves material quality and ease of operation, machinery

claims

which

new vortex-spray

material

between

batches.

In addition,

die-hole freeze off due to polymer flow disruptions is eliminated,

and simpler

and operation

manufacturer

hang-up

means faster clean-out

improves

cuts waste and

productivity.

Conair. The company

adds

and cutter inspection

that the VSP provides

the

through

advantages

of dry die-face pro-

cessing to a broader

range of

start-up Die

on the cooling an improved

is easy

chamber,

over existing downwardextending water-ring units.

pellets, the water in the VSP

The 90 degree bend in typical water-ring dies results in a

turbulent, claims the company. This turbulent flow, along

longer material

with the propeller cutting

polymer,

areas and

water, which increases its heatremoval efficiency by as much

hang-up

smoothly

while

However,

the

to speed resin

through

a stream-

blade, aerates the

as 50%. The company that this approach

lined die in line with the

cooling technology

is similar

to the water-spray

cooling it

axis, making

it possi-

system removes

ble to process nylons, heavily

developed

50% faster.

filled compounds

profile extrusion.

batches.

Conair

ly unstable

to Conair,

design is displacing

the VSP

the VSP with its 1400 Series

ter and older vertical water

Slurry Dryer, the pelletizer can process up to 2722

ring models

kg/hour

pounders

underwa-

adds that by operating

with com-

and recycling

tions. The company its advantages straight-line minimizes

opera-

says that

include

a

flow path that shear and main-

tains resin quality, and

The pelletizers five different According

are available

line, horizontal

in

sizes.

to Conair,

and thermal-

materials

that oth-

erwise must be run on underwater or strand pelletizers.

(6000 Ibs./hour).

flow configura-

Conair says

that in these operations

highest production achieved

it possible

walled profiles.

to reduce lubricant

in recycled plastics.

water-ring

pelletizers

and the

the

high-intensity spray tanks have been used to reach some of the

Conair adds that the straight-

While both conventional

tion of the new VSP pelletizer is a significant improvement

for heat removal in

line flow path may also make loading

the in-

says

to pellet

extruder

polymers, including flexible and rigid WCs and masterAccording

heat up to

action of the

work to the

VSP is claimed

vortex cooling

flow path that

flows much faster and is more

leads to additional degradation.

a quick release port

pelletizer

rates ever

for complex,

The company

heavy-

adds that set-up

is twice as fast as for underwater pelletizers.

Standard

new VSP direct water around

water pelletizers,

the die to cool the newly cut

and water-ring

under-

like the VSP pelletizers,

cut

the pellet at the die face. However,

the underwater

die

face is flooded with pressurized cooling water, which significantly increases set-up time and frequently leads to diehole freezing. Because cooling water does not contact

the

VSP die plate, flow through the holes is never frozen even when the polymer rupted.

flow is dis-

In addition,

plate temperature

better die control

means that on-the-fly adjustment

blade

is unnecessary.

The company adds that the simplified VSP control system requires

only start/stop

tons, keypad

control

speed, optionally temperature

butfor

available

controllers

safety alarms.

Contact: Conair Tel: +I 412312 6000 Fax: +I 412312 G320

The new vortex-spray pelletizer from Conair.

Plastics Additives

& Compounding

November 2002

q

and

EQUIPMENT cl

Nanocomposites tap performunce potential of plastics customary

microfillers

(see

performance

Table 1) and a finer distribution in the matrix material achieved. Developed Werner

exfoliated

& Pfleiderer

says that

polyamide

tech-

nanofiller

layers in

or PET sheets pro-

vides excellent barrier proper-

nology has already been suc-

ties while good transparency

cessfully tried and tested in the

maintained.

laboratory

is that the layers, which are

and on a pilot plant.

nanofillers

the

are chemically

ified by the producer

a ZSK

are

improved. For example, only a small percentage of completely

Coperion

Before compounding,

material with

with

properties

of the plastics produced

producers,

the new compounding

Nonofillers incorporated in the base

is

in cooperation

nanofiller

and, at the same

time, the mechanical

is

The reason for this

arranged largely parallel to the mod-

in such a

surface, extend t-he diffusion path of steam and vapours by a

way that they become compatible with the base polymer and

factor of 100 to 1,000. This labyrinth effect, says t-he com-

the distance

pany, is also the reason why

between

the layers

from about 1 nm to

MEGAcompounder improve the efficiency of flame retardants, as o comparison of flammability shows, taking the examples of a cable

is widened

3-5 nm. By this the energy

flame resistance to polyethylene

and o UL 94-V test (/efi: material containing conventional flame

input necessary for compound-

cable compounds.

retardant, right material containing nonofillers in addition).

ing is reduced and, notwith-

fire, a non-dripping

standing

form at the surface, which

A new application of the ZSK

the following.

twin-screw

of the nanofillers

MEGAcompounder

from Coperion Pfleiderer

Werner &

nanoclays),

which are available

action for dispersive

mixing,

impedes

In case of crust will

the admission

the melt can be kepr at a mod-

gen and the emission

erate temperature

Therefore,

so that ther-

of oxyof smoke.

the amount

of con-

mal overstress of the matrix material is avoided. Depending

ventional

as aluminium

hydroxide

incorporating nanofillers into the polymer. These fillers - of

dispersive

on the application

and the

consid-erably

reduced and these

nanofiller

nanocom-

which montmorillonite,

can penetrate

cable compounds have better mechanical properties and can

minium common

is the pro-

(so-called

shearing

impart very good

as compact filler particles, into smaller particles is possible by

duction

GmbH

Firstly, splitting

the intensive

nanofillers

of nanocomposites

by

an alu-

silicate, is the most

ed structure

one - have a laminat-

ed structure.

A particularly

cient compounding

mixing, which

means that the polymer

(intercalation).

effl-

uniform

technology

separated

layers to

material

melt

into the laminat-

posites are made available for

of the nanofillers

injection

In addition,

moulding

distribution

of the

content, moulding,

ready-made

layers in the base

blow

or extrusion

pounds

moulding

be processed

either as com-

or as masterbatch

flame retardants

to be

more easily, says

the company. Contact: Coperion Werner & Pjeiderer

occurs by

added to the base material.

Tel: + 49 711897

be separated and incorporated into the polymer, for the pro-

distributive mixing. After exfoliation, the nanofillers are up

According to the company, although the amount of

Fax: t49 7118973981

duction

to 1000 times smaller than

nanofiller

coperion.com

allows the individual

of commodity

and engineering this, Coperion

plastics

(exfoliation)

E-mail: doris.glogovec@

Table I: Comparison of some properties of nanofillers and customary microfillers

Werner & Pflei-

a special screw configuration

for

the ZSK MEGAcompounders,

Microfillers

as well as a process technology

Shape

suited to the new task.

Typical dimensions (pm)

claims that tak-

ing into account the properties

2507

plastics. For

derer says that it has developed

The company

added is small, the

such can be

the structure,

and the behav-

iour of the nanofillers,

Rod, lamina

I x I x I and

0.00 I x 0.00 I x 0. I and

IXIXIO Specific surface (m2/kg) Typically added amount (wt.%)

Nanofillers (exfoliated)

Spherule, ellipsoid

0.001 x 0.1 x 0.1

0.7

600 to 700

up to 70

up to 6

allows

q

Plastics Additives & Compounding November 2002