Polymer Extrusion Equipment and Machinery

Polymers Technology Center in Charlotte, NC

Extrusion is the process of shaping plastic material into a fixed cross-sectional profile. The polymer is pushed through a die of the desired cross-sectional profile and molded into an array of simple or complex shapes.

To ensure you get the shape you need, The Polymers Technology Center in Charlotte, NC, houses three extruders ready for use. Dies are mounted on the extruder, and once the polymer material is heated and melted, it is forced through the die to create the desired shape. It is then cooled, solidifying it into the shape you need.



Combining our staff's expertise and advanced equipment, we can efficiently extrude polymer materials to create a wide variety of high-quality products. To learn more about the process and how custom plastic extrusion works, contact a Polymers technician today.

The Polymer Extrusion Process

Polymer Material Introduced

Blended plastic material is introduced into the polymer extrusion machine, where it slowly funnels into the screw extruder.

Heated and Melted

The material is exposed to intense heat so it can be melted. It's important to make sure it is melted down so it can go through the cross-sectional die and be formed into the desired shape.

The Extruder and Die

The molten plastic is then forced through the appropriately-shaped die. It is viscous enough to form into the shape you need but thick enough to retain that shape once it leaves the die.

Cooling Bath

The still-heated plastic is run through a uniformly-cooled bath, designed to solidify the plastic into the desired shape.

Pull Roller

Pull rollers are designed to provide pulling pressure (to help plastic through the extruder and the cooling bath) while also smoothing it out.

Plastic is Cut

The final step involves cutting the material into the dimensions you need. From there, your product is ready to be tested and whatever else you have planned.

Types of Extrusion

• Sheet film
• Blown film
• Overjacketing
• Profile
• Coextrusion
• Extrusion coating

Product Development Trials

The plastics industry is built on rigorous trials and constant innovation. The Polymers Technology Center helps industry-leading manufacturers test new products and specialty compounds, research new resin and additive combinations, and optimize production processes.



For trials, we use laboratory-scale equipment. This provides the user the flexibility to work with small amounts of material. The process can be scaled up to larger production as the material becomes more refined.