Solid conveying in vane extruder for polymer processing: Effects on pressure establishment

The pressure establishment in the solid conveying section of a vane extruder was theoretically and experimentally studied in the present article. Based on the structural and conveying characteristics of the vane extruder, a four-plate model was developed. The effects of the device geometry (eccentricity e and discharge port beta), the polymer properties (different materials), and the operating conditions (temperature and rotating speed) on the pressure were also studied using a visual experimental device. The results showed that the experimental data were highly consistent with the theoretical data, which indicated that the theoretical model was sensible. Considering the optimization design of the device and its processing parameters, the eccentricity e and the discharge port beta of the discharge baffle should be appropriately selected, and the setting temperature of the feeding section should be set to a low value. The rotating speed of the rotor had no significant influence on the pressure establishment. In addition, the thermo-mechanical history of the vane extruder was shorter than that of the conventional screw extruder. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. (C) 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers