The present invention relates to a process for the manufacturing of composite materials from natural fibers and thermoplastic polymers. Examples of fibers are wood fibers originating from pulping processes known as refiner pulp (RMP), thermomechanical pulp (TMP) or chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP), but the process can also be applied to other kinds of natural fiber containing raw materials. In the process according to the present invention, fibers are introduced from the blowline or the housing of a refiner into a flash tube dryer, separated from humid air in a cyclone, introduced into a compounder and mixed with at least one thermoplastic polymer and the product is subsequently pelletized. The process according to the present invention is advantageously run as a continuous process.

A continuous method of producing polyamide foams by an extrusion foaming process is disclosed. The polyamide foam includes a polyamide resin compounded with a composite chain extender including an epoxy chain extender and a maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) wax. The produced polyamide foams have improved properties, including a smooth surface, low density, and small cell size.

A process and associated system for creating color effects using extrudable material, such as plastic and metal for example, are presented. Flows of first and second viscous materials of respective colors are provided and then combined in a predetermined pattern to form a stream of combined viscous material. A dynamic mixer is the then used to apply a predetermined dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to partially mix the first viscous material and the second viscous material, such that upon exiting the dynamic mixer, the first material of the first color and the second material of the second color form a color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. The dynamic mixer has elements configured for acquiring a specific radial orientation in a range of radial orientations that may be varied during the application of the dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to cause variations in the color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. Sheets of extruded material may be created using such process and system and used in the manufacturing of many different products including, but not limited to, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, garden furniture and many others. In some embodiments, the sheets may be characterized by color bands extending diagonally with reference to a longitudinal extent of the sheet.

A method and a facility produce polylactide (PLA) by polymerization, in which a lactide mixture is mixed with at least one catalyst, is introduced into a modular planetary roller extruder and the finished PLA is then removed. The lactide mixture continuously passes through segments of the extruder. The course of the reaction is measured and controlled in the segments in a targeted manner such that the temperature can be set by heating and/or cooling. The pressure can be variably set depending on pressure values to be checked by a controllable gas extraction and/or a controllable extruder speed and/or static variability of the planetary rollers and/or a variable metering speed of the lactide mixture and/or a variable mixing ratio of the lactide mixture. Flammable gas is removed in an explosion-protected zone in a partial region of the extruder. Additives are introduced into the extruder during the rolling process.

Continuous compounding systems include a feeding section and a compounding section. Method for compounding or mixing solid matter and liquid matter include providing a continuous compounding system, adding matter to the continuous compounding system, and mixing or compounding the matter.

The present invention relates to a method for changing material in an extrusion device comprising at least two supply devices for supplying feedstock for an extruder, comprising the following steps: identifying a change request for changing the material in the extrusion device, preparing the supply devices for changing the material, separating at least two supply devices from the feed of feedstock to the extruder, discharging feedstock from the separated supply devices, filling subsequent material into the empty supply devices.

A powder storage apparatus 41 includes: a container 42 having a powder inlet 18A, a powder outlet 10A, and a gas outlet 18B; and a tube 70 connected to the powder inlet 18A. If A.sub.S [m.sup.2] is a cross-sectional area of a cross section perpendicular to an axis of the tube 70 at a bottom end 70b of the tube 70 and A.sub.B [m.sup.2] is a cross-sectional area of the gas outlet 18B, the following expression is satisfied.

A.sub.S/A.sub.B<4

The invention relates to compositions comprising composite materials comprised of discontinuous fibers and one or more polymers and/or oligomers. The invention relates to methods of making the same. The composite materials can be in the form of compositions, composite sheets, laminates, pellets, and/or shaped composite products.

A process for producing a polypropylene composition using a compounding extruder includes a) a melting section having a first elongated cylindrical tube with a first inlet port to receive a propylene-based polymer and additives containing an elastomer of ethylene and α-olefin comonomer having 4 to 8 carbon atoms and a first outlet port to discharge a first melt composition containing a melt of the propylene-based polymer and the additives and a first screw arranged in the first elongated cylindrical tube, convey the propylene-based polymer and the additives to the first outlet port, and a mixing section including a second elongated cylindrical tube having a second inlet port to receive the first melt composition, and a second outlet port to discharge a second melt composition containing the first melt composition and the optional further component and a second screw arranged in the second elongated cylindrical tube to convey the first melt composition to the second outlet, wherein the first screw and the second screw areoperable at different screw speeds. The process includes: A) feeding the propylene-based polymer and the additives to the first inlet and discharging the first melt composition from the first outlet, wherein the first screw is operated at a first screw speed and B) feeding the first melt composition from the first outlet to the second inlet, and discharging the second melt composition from the second outlet, wherein the second screw is operated at a second screw speed smaller than the first screw speed.

A method for producing a stabilizer composition for a polymer and a stabilizer composition produced by the method. At least one carboxylic acid is reacted with at least one metal compound, such as at least one metal hydroxide and/or at least one metal oxide and/or at least one metal carbonate, thereby forming a metal carboxylate of the carboxylic acid. The reaction of the carboxylic acid with the metal compound is carried out in a continuous manner in an extruder while reaction water being formed is discharged out of the extruder.