What is plastic extrusion?

In a basic technical definition, it is the transformation of solid plastic mass converted into a shape that can be used as produced or converted into usable products.

Plastic extrusion is used in the three primary processes of producing a plastic part – extrusion, injection molding and blow molding. There is a uniqueness to each primary process.  Extrusion is continuous, injection molding is discontinuous and blow molding would also be considered continuous. Because of these differences, each process presents its own challenges but for this post we will focus on extrusion. Extrusion is a continuous process of converting a solid plastic mass, pellet or powder into a melted form where it is pushed through a die into a shape. This shape is then moved through various secondary operations where it is cooled then cut, coiled or experiences a variety of other possible operations. Extrusion can be broken into specific sub-processes which are sheet, blown or cast film, profile, pipe or pelletizing

Types of extruders for producing PVC pipe, door and window profiles, wall coverings, etc. are as follows: