Extrusion

The Plastic Extrusion Process

The plastic extrusion process is great for the production of plastic parts that have a consistent wall thickness with profiles that vary widely in length, width, texture, or color. To create such profiles, raw thermoplastic material or resin is filled into a hopper. This thermoplastic material is then fed down into the machine’s barrel which contains a screw inside. The barrel is heated to a temperature ranging between 400 to 530 degrees Fahrenheit. The screw turns and pushes the melted thermoplastic material forward into several sets of screens. The screen pack serves to remove any impurities in the molten thermoplastic material before it reaches the die. Once purified, the thermoplastic liquid is fed towards the die. The molten plastic fills the die cavity and is then pulled from the machine and cooled, revealing a newly extruded custom plastic profile.

Plastic extrusion products are very popular. Extruded plastic can be used to make siding for houses, wood composite for decking, and even custom parts for the auto industry. Plastic extrusion is highly dynamic with several uses, each requiring special plastic extrusion methods.

Reschcor’s plastic extrusion core competencies include:

  • Wood Composite Extrusion
  • Multi-Hollow Extrusion
  • Co-Extrusion
  • Tri-Extrusion
  • Duel durometer extrusion

Reschcor is the industry’s leading supplier for quality, custom-engineered plastic extrusion manufacturing. We pride ourselves on our ability to create a custom solution for even the most challenging of problems. We utilize the highest level of care to assure that the features of all co-extruded plastic profiles are accurate according to our customers’ product specifications. If you are looking to partner with a company that puts the customer first, contact Reschcor today so we can learn more about your company and understand how we can help your business succeed.

Equipment and Materials

To create plastic extruded profiles, a plastic extrusion machine must be used. The extruder machine consists of a hopper, barrel with a screw inside, heaters, and the motor to operate the screw drive.

An extrusion die will also be used. Plastic extrusion dies serve as the mold for molten plastic. They create the shape or profile of the extruded plastic. Plastic extrusion dies are usually custom made, according to the customer’s specifications, using software to create the die design. Standardized dies are also available. Dies are then cast out of metal materials to withstand the high temperatures of molten plastic.

The raw thermoplastic material is an important component in the extrusion process. The temperature needed to extrude the plastic is determined based on which material is being used. The material will also determine how many screens are needed to filter out unwanted materials or impurities. There are many kinds of thermoplastic material available for extrusion, but the most common form is resin plastic. Plastic in the form of flakes, granules, or powder is typically used in the hopper. Small beads of resin are easier to load into a hopper and have quick melting times due to their size.

To assist your team with defining specifications and requirements, Reschcor is equipped with a wide range of materials: 

  • Rigid PVC
  • Flexible PVC
  • Cellular PVC
  • Wood Plastic Composite
  • Fibrex
  • High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
  • Crystal Polystyrene
  • HDPE
  • LDPE
  • ABS
  • ASA
  • Acrylic
  • Polycarbonate
  • Polypropylene
  • TPE
  • TPU

Our Commitment To Quality

Defects in plastic extrusion are possible and can happen when certain conditions are met. Improper die cleaning can cause defects as well as improperly screened material. Special care must be taken to ensure that all plastic extrusion machinery is in proper working order and continuously delivering uniform results.

At Reschcor we recognize the quality of each and every product is crucial to the satisfaction of our customers. Therefore, we utilize expert production personnel to authenticate the features of our extruded plastic profiles to ensure consistency and performance. Regular audits are conducted by the Quality team to guarantee product specifications are met.

Our engineering team is committed to providing superior products that exceed our customers’ expectations. Quality doesn’t simply derive from the application itself, but the exceptional service that Reschcor is widely known for.

At Reschcor we recognize the quality of each and every product is crucial to the satisfaction of our customers. Therefore, we utilize expert production personnel to authenticate the features of our extruded plastic profiles to ensure consistency and performance. Regular audits are conducted by the Quality team to guarantee product specifications are met.

Our engineering team is committed to providing superior products that exceed our customers’ expectations. Quality doesn’t simply derive from the application itself, but the exceptional service that Reschcor is widely known for.

  • Timely communications to ensure the project is properly managed from concept to completion
  • A valuable partnership to exemplify a robust collaborative effort
  • Forward-thinking to proactively find process efficiencies and maximize the quality of your project

Reschcor continually adheres to the ISO 9001:2015 quality standard to guarantee quality and customer requirements. Click here to submit your request.