Profile extrusion is the process of making continuous shapes of plastic (not including sheet and film) by extrusion. Molten polymer is forced through a metal die cut into the linear shape of the desired finished article (channel, tube, etc.).

What is plastic profile extrusion?

Profile extrusion is the process of making continuous shapes of plastic (not including sheet and film) by extrusion. Molten polymer is forced through a metal die cut into the linear shape of the desired finished article (channel, tube, etc.).

What is profile plastic?

Plastic profiles are produced through a process by which various plastic materials are used to develop quality plastic products. These products have a continuous cross-section such as pipe, drinking straws, decorative molding, eavestroughing, window trimming and many others.

What type of plastic is extruded?

Typical plastic materials that are used in extrusion include but are not limited to: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene, acetal, acrylic, nylon (polyamides), polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate.

How do extruders work?

Plastic pellets are fed from a hopper into the barrel of the extruder, where the pellets are gradually melted by mechanical energy generated by a turning screw and by heaters arranged along the barrel. The molten polymer is forced through a die, which shapes the extrudate into products such as the examples shown.

What is the difference between extrusion and injection molding?

Simply put, the EXTRUSION process is required to create continuous linear, two-dimensional shapes. INJECTION MOLDING produces three-dimensional shapes that do not remain constant in a parallel line.

What is a hollow profile?

A HOLLOW profile is any extruded shape that contains a completely enclosed void anywhere in its cross-section. The void itself may have any sort of shape and the complete profile may include a variety of other forms. More than one void may be extruded into a profile.

How does blown film extrusion work?

Blown film is another extrusion processes used to fabricate film products. In this case the extrusion die is shaped as a circle and air pressure is used to further expand the film. After it is expanded to the desired dimensions it is cooled to solidify the polymer.

How are extruded plastic profiles cooled?

This type is used for the extrusion of plastic sheets or films that are too thick to be blown. After exiting the die, the sheets are pulled and cooled through a series of cooling rolls, which also regulate the sheet thickness.

How is PVC extruded?

Most extrusion takes place using screw-type extruders. These extruders rely on a screw auger that forces plastic through dies to form desired shapes. At BD Custom Manufacturing, we produce top-quality custom polyethylene and PVC profiles.

What are #5 plastics?

#5 Plastic: Polypropylene Plastic number 5 or PP plastic (polypropylene) is the second-most widely produced plastic. Being light, heat resistant and sturdy, PP is applied to various packaging. Today plastic 5 is commonly used in: Yogurt containers.