Extrusion Explained Simply
What is extrusion?
Extrusion is a continuous process for processing plastics, polymers, powders, and blends. The material is conveyed by rotating screws, processed, and finally extruded through a die.
Three-Tec extruders feature a compact design, high torque, and intuitive touch-panel operation. They are available with screw diameters ranging from 5 to 100 mm. Our laboratory equipment can process even the smallest quantities, starting at 1 gram, while our large-scale production systems can handle quantities of up to 2 metric tons. Learn more about our Extruders.
What is the difference between a single-screw and a twin-screw extruder?
Single-screw extruders are primarily used for conveying and melting materials. They are particularly well-suited for simple extrusion processes and the production of filaments or profiles. Twin-screw extruders also offer intensive mixing, dispersing, and compounding capabilities. They are frequently used in the pharmaceutical industry, for battery materials, in research, and for sophisticated material formulations.
Single-screw extruders are suitable for:
- Melt Transport
- Filament Production
- Material Testing
- Recycling
Twin-screw extruders offer additional possibilities:
- Intensive mixing
- Compounding
- Degassing
- Processing Multiple Components
What materials can be extruded?
Advantages of Extrusion
- Continuous Production
- High product quality
- Good reproducibility
- Easy Scalability
Typical Industries
- Pharma
- Plastics Industry
- Battery Research
- Chemistry
- Universities and Research Centers
Why are laboratory extruders used?
Laboratory extruders enable the development and optimization of new materials with minimal raw material consumption. They are used for material testing, feasibility studies, formulation development, and scale-up projects. Even the smallest quantities can be processed under conditions that closely resemble real-world applications.
Three-Tec manufactures the world's smallest laboratory extruders, with screw diameters as small as 5 mm. Learn more about our Extruders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly happens during extrusion?
Material is conveyed through a heated cylinder by rotating screws, melted or processed, and then continuously extruded through a die. This process transforms a raw material into a specific intermediate or final product.
What screw diameters are available for Three-Tec extruders?
Three-Tec extruders are available with screw diameters ranging from 5 to 100 mm—from laboratory equipment for very small quantities starting at 1 gram to production systems capable of handling up to 2 metric tons. Learn more about our Extruders.
For which materials is extrusion suitable?
Materials extruded include plastics, polymers, active pharmaceutical ingredient formulations, battery materials, food ingredients, as well as powders, granules, and material blends.
What are the main advantages of extrusion over other processes?
Extrusion enables continuous production with high product quality, good reproducibility, and easy scaling from the laboratory to the production level.
News Reports
For more information, please visit our page on the Extruders and in the following news reports:
Resource-saving extrusion with laboratory extruders from Three-Tec
Two screw diameters, one device: the Hybrid laboratory extruder
Special production: Extrusion in an ATEX environment
Special production: Production line for the manufacture of ceramic injection molded feedstocks.
Special production: melt pump for filament production