A method for producing magnet-polymer pellets useful as a feedstock in an additive manufacturing process, comprising: (i) blending thermoplastic polymer and hard magnetic particles; (ii) feeding the blended magnet-polymer mixture into a pre-feed hopper that feeds directly into an inlet of a temperature-controlled barrel extruder; (iii) feeding the blended magnet-polymer mixture into the barrel extruder at a fixed feed rate of 5-20 kg/hour, wherein the temperature at the outlet is at least to no more than 10 C. above a glass transition temperature of the blended magnet-polymer mixture; (iv) feeding the blended magnet-polymer mixture directly into an extruding die; (v) passing the blended magnet-polymer mixture through the extruding die at a fixed speed; and (vi) cutting the magnet-polymer mixture at regular intervals as the mixture exits the extruding die at the fixed speed. The use of the pellets as feed material in an additive manufacturing process is also described.

A method of manufacturing a flow field plate includes mixing graphite and resin materials to provide a mixture. The mixture is formed into a continuous flow field plate, for example, by ram extrusion or one or more press belts. The continuous flow field plate is separated into discrete flow field plates. Flow field channels are provided in one of the continuous flow field plate and the discrete flow field plates.

A composition includes a first amorphous fluoropolymer having a first Mooney viscosity ML 1+10 @ 121 C. less than 60 and a second amorphous fluoropolymer having a second Mooney viscosity ML 1+10 @ 121 C. greater than 80. The composition further includes at least one of a non-fluorinated, thermoplastic polymer as a major component of the composition or a polymer processing additive synergist. A method of reducing melt defects during the extrusion of a polymer is also provided. Use of a combination of the first and second amorphous fluoropolymers as a polymer processing additive is also provided.

A method for producing a thermoplastic moulding compound by means of an extruder (10), which comprises at least one feed zone (20), at least one mixing section (30), at least one venting section (40) and at least one discharge zone (50), wherein in the at least one feed zone (20) a water-containing first component and a second component are supplied, in the at least one mixing section (30) the thermoplastic moulding compound is mixed and contained water is evaporated, in the at least one venting section (40) water vapour is removed from the moulding compound and in the at least one discharge zone (50) the moulding compound is discharged. At least one of the mixing housings (31, 32) is kept at a temperature that is equal to or lower than the temperature of the moulding compound within the mixing section (30).

A method for producing a thermoplastic moulding compound by means of an extruder (10), which comprises at least one feed zone (20), at least one mixing section (30), at least one venting section (40) and at least one discharge zone (50), wherein in the at least one feed zone (20) a water-containing first component and a second component are supplied, in the at least one mixing section (30) the thermoplastic moulding compound is mixed and contained water is evaporated, in the at least one venting section (40) water vapour is removed from the moulding compound and in the at least one discharge zone (50) the moulding compound is discharged. At least one of the mixing housings (31, 32) is kept at a temperature that is equal to or lower than the temperature of the moulding compound within the mixing section (30).

A PBT composite material having high heat resistance and high gloss for a vehicle mirror and a method for preparing the same are provided. The PBT composite material includes 57.2-88.9 wt % of PBT, 5-20 wt % of PET, 5-20 wt % of calcium silicate, 0-10 wt % of coupling agent-modified talc, 0.1-0.3 wt % of an antioxidant, 0.5-1.5 wt % of a flowing aid and 0.5-1.0 wt % of a nucleating agent. In the preparing method, the above components are placed into an extruding machine to perform a melt plasticization, and a molten material extruded by a die head of the extruding machine is water-cooled and stretched into a stripe to be granulated. The resulting PBT composite material has an excellent heat resistance and a good surface gloss and is suitable for manufacturing a high heat-resistant and high gloss vehicle mirror.

An extrusion assembly, a method of constructing an extrusion assembly, and an additive manufacturing system including an extrusion assembly are disclosed. The extrusion assembly includes an extrusion die; a channel having an inlet and an outlet, which is in fluid communication with the extrusion die; and a heating element that melts a filament material drive through the channel so that the melted material is extruded by the extrusion die. The heating element can be helically wound about the channel or extend parallel to the channel, among other configurations. Further, the extrusion assembly includes a temperature sensor that is positioned adjacent to the channel between the extrusion die and the heating element. The channel, heating element, and temperature sensor are enclosed together within a sheath as a single integral unit. An additive manufacturing system utilizing the extrusion assembly can include a drive assembly, a support assembly, and a controller.

An extrusion assembly, a method of constructing an extrusion assembly, and an additive manufacturing system including an extrusion assembly are disclosed. The extrusion assembly includes an extrusion die; a channel having an inlet and an outlet, which is in fluid communication with the extrusion die; and a heating element that melts a filament material drive through the channel so that the melted material is extruded by the extrusion die. The heating element can be helically wound about the channel or extend parallel to the channel, among other configurations. Further, the extrusion assembly includes a temperature sensor that is positioned adjacent to the channel between the extrusion die and the heating element. The channel, heating element, and temperature sensor are enclosed together within a sheath as a single integral unit. An additive manufacturing system utilizing the extrusion assembly can include a drive assembly, a support assembly, and a controller.

A method for rapid manufacturing of three dimensional discontinuous fiber preforms is provided. The method includes the deposition of a polymeric material containing fibers on a surface to form a tailored charge for compression molding. The reinforced polymeric material may be a thermoplastic or a reactive polymer with viscosity low enough to allow flow through an orifice during deposition, yet high enough zero shear viscosity to retain the approximate shape of the deposited charge. The material can be deposited in a predetermined pattern to induce the desired mechanical properties through alignment of the fibers. This deposition can be performed in a single layer or in multiple layers. The alignment is achieved passively by shear alignment of the fibers or actively through fiber orientation control or mixing. The fibers can be of the desired material, length, and morphology, including short and long filaments.

A planetary extruder for producing and processing polymers includes a degassing section. The extruder includes a housing and a bushing arranged therein. The bushing has an internal toothing with a pitch diameter and a root circle. An externally toothed central spindle is arranged within the housing. Planetary spindles rotate about the central spindle between the central spindle and the bushing. A heat transfer fluid is guided through fluid channels which extend helically along an outer surface of the bushing and guide the heat transfer fluid axially. A degassing opening is provided to which a negative pressure is applied for degassing. A minimum radial thickness (t) of the bushing between the root circle of the internal toothing on an inside of the bushing and a bottom of the fluid channels on an outside of the bushing is selected based on the pitch diameter (d) of the internal toothing.