Definitions and Explanations

Some definitions and explanations of the words and processes mentioned on our site:

EXTRUSION PROCESS

Is a process by which plastics and other materials are pushed (extruded) through dies to create the shape required. It is a continues process and is used to create products such as pipe, tubes and profiles. Typical extrusion profiles would be window frames, curtain rail and guttering. All of these products can be produced in almost any length with limitations being the length of the production facility and transportation methods for the finished product.

Advantages:

~ An efficient and fast way to create a continuous shape in various lengths.

~ This process can create complex shapes from a very wide range of materials.

~ The tooling to manufacture the required shape is considerably cheaper than most other plastic manufacturing methods.

 

CO-EXTRUSION

Is where two or more extrusion machines are used to feed a single die head. This can be where multiple layers of materials are used within the same product and is often used for cost effectiveness in a pipe by using second generation material for the bulk of the pipe covered with a thin layer of first generation material for an attractive surface appearance. It can also be used to have two different rigidity plastics on the same extrusion, such as a rigid section for strength and then a small flexible skirt such as a seal and also where multiple colours such as stripes are required.

 

RIGID AND FLEXIBLE

Plastic Extrusions of both tubes and profiles can be manufactured to various states of rigidity and shore hardness depending upon the end application.

 

EXTRUSION MATERIALS

UPVC

Is an abbreviation of Un-Plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride. PVC is naturally rigid and it is the addition of the Plasticiser that makes it flexible. UPVC is very durable, waterproof, mould-resistant and easy to keep clean. For the building trade it also has other important features such as high tensile strength and the fact that it is self extinguishing. Another advantage is that it is available in a wide range of colours. It is also UV light resistant, which is a quality that some other plastics lack. It is usually used in construction trade, especially in windows, guttering, fascia's, fencing, decking and wall cladding.

PVC Flexible

Polyethylene (PE). High and Low Density (HDPE & LDPE)

It is estimated that 80 million metric tons of this product is produced annually. The main use of the polyethylene is in packaging (plastic bags, plastic films.

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene has a wide variety of use such as: packaging, textiles (carpets, clothing or ropes), stationery, plastic parts, laboratory equipment, loudspeakers and many more.
PP has numerous advantages such as density between 0.90 and 0.92 g/cm3, is lightweight, has got high tensile strength.