>> Individual devolatilization processes for higher throughput rates and improved compound quality.
Efficient devolatilization of polymers
Devolatilization processes frequently play an important but often underestimated role in the copmounding and extrusion of plastics. As a technology leader for processing technology, Coperion, formerly Werner & Pfleiderer, offers comprehensive, tailor-made devolatilization solutions for compounding and extrusion processes.
These range from the devolatilization of plastic melts and rubber devolatilization to the production of practically odorless plastics for packing materials or auto interiors. Regardless of whether volatile components are available in small or large batch sizes, with a high or low boiling point – with their years of experience from numerous projects, tests, simulations and scale-ups, our specialists adapt every twin screw extruder optimally to your devolatilization application, from the lab scale extruder to the high-performance compounding plant.
For the processing of low-viscous, thin-bodied melts and for extrusion processes with high gas quantities we integrate our ZS-EG twin screw side degassing into compounding plants. With its large cross section for the devolatilization, it keeps the melt in the process section without product escape even at maximum specific torque of the extruder. Fumes or gases are reliably drawn off through the axially open screw flights. Increases in the throughput rate of up to 30 % with improved product quality are possible. > Further information
Devolatilization of volatile ingredients from polymer melts
| Polymer | Type | Parts before devolatilization | Parts after devolatilization through an extruder |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDPE | Ethylene | < 3,000 ppm | < 1,000 ppm |
| LLDPE | Hexane, cyclohexane | 10 - 15 % | < 500 ppm |
| 3 % | < 250 ppm | ||
| EVA | Vinyl acetate | 5,000 ppm | < 50 ppm |
| PS | Styrene | 3,000 – 5,000 ppm | < 300 ppm |
| ABS | Acrylonitrile | 20 ppm | < 4 ppm |
| PC | Methylene chloride | 20 % | < 50 ppm |
| PA 6 | Caproclactame | 8 % | < 0.8 % |
| SBR, SBS | Hexane, cyclohexane | 15 - 70 % | < 1,000 ppm |
| PEI | Chlorobenzene | 70 % | < 500 ppm |
| PP | Hydrocarbons | approx. 1,000 ppm | < 50 ppm |
| POM | Formaldehyde | 5 % | < 100 ppm |
