A system for adjusting a gap in a slot die for producing a polymeric web. The system includes a slot die that has a polymer reservoir that extends between a polymer inlet and a melt outlet. The melt outlet has a first edge and a second edge that each extend longitudinally along the melt outlet. The second edge is opposite the first edge. A plurality of actuators move the second edge along a plurality of positions along a length of the second edge. The first edge is spaced apart from the second edge by a gap that has an adjustable profile. A pressure sensor communicates with the reservoir and measures the pressure of the polymer in the reservoir. A control unit with an algorithm correlates the profile of the gap to the pressure in the reservoir. The algorithm is configured to generate control signals to cause the profile of the gap to be uniform.

Embodiments of an invention disclosed herein relate to devices, processes, and systems for processing one or more polymers.

A strip-shape softened resin sheet (S) which is continuously extruded from a molten resin extruder is cut to a unit resin sheet and a press molded product is manufactured by press-molding the unit resin sheet in a press-molding machine. Prior to cutting the continuously extruded strip-shape softened resin sheet (S) to the unit resin sheet (U) , the slits C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3, C.sub.4 and C.sub.5 which promote the molding to the press molded part from the unit resin sheet (U) (improve an inflow property of the material) are formed by a cutter which is upwardly and downwardly driven by an air cylinder at a portion P.sub.3 in which the material therein is out of a range of the press molded products P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 obtained by press-molding the press molded product by using the press molding machine and becomes a scrap. The inflow property of the resin material for vertical walls and embossment portions when press-molding is improved and the defects of the product can be prevented.

A strip-shape softened resin sheet (S) which is continuously extruded from a molten resin extruder is cut to a unit resin sheet and a press molded product is manufactured by press-molding the unit resin sheet in a press-molding machine 20. Prior to press-molding the unit resin sheet (U) by the press-molding machine, the unit resin sheet (U) is heated by a heating machine 16. The heating machine 16 comprises a first heating furnace 84 and a second heating furnace 86. The first heating furnace 84 includes a series of heaters 84-3 and 84-4 whose heat source is infrared ray in a far-infrared region and the second heating furnace 86 includes a series of heaters 86-3 and 86-4 whose heat source is the infrared ray in a middle-infrared region. In the first furnace 84, the unit resin sheet (U) is continuously conveyed with a low velocity and is gradually heated by the far-infrared ray up to temperature which is slightly lower than the temperature which is suitable for press-molding the unit resin sheet (U). In the second furnace 86, the unit resin sheet (U) is stopped and is rapidly heated by the middle-infrared ray. By efficiently heating the unit resin sheet (U), a cycle time can be shortened and the production speed can be improved.

A system for adjusting a gap in a slot die for producing a polymeric web. The system includes a slot die that has a polymer reservoir that extends between a polymer inlet and a melt outlet. The melt outlet has a first edge and a second edge that each extend longitudinally along the melt outlet. The second edge is opposite the first edge. A plurality of actuators move the second edge along a plurality of positions along a length of the second edge. The first edge is spaced apart from the second edge by a gap that has an adjustable profile. A pressure sensor communicates with the reservoir and measures the pressure of the polymer in the reservoir. A control unit with an algorithm correlates the profile of the gap to the pressure in the reservoir. The algorithm is configured to generate control signals to cause the profile of the gap to be uniform.

The extrusion installation is configured for manufacturing a complex profiled-element strip, such as a tread, based on elastomer compounds by co-extrusion, and comprises multiple extruders feeding elastomer compounds to an extrusion head. The extrusion head receives a proportion of elastomer compound of between 2 and 25% of the total volumetric throughput of the installation from at least one Archimedean-screw extruder and the rest from positive-displacement extruders.

Various measures increase the cooling effect on a planetary roller extruder section/module. Those measures include a choke being arranged at an outlet of the planetary roller extruder section or module, a distance between centerlines of adjacent planetary spindles being at least equal to an outer diameter of the planetary spindles, providing a pressurized melt supply, having a cooling section composed of several sections/modules, providing at least one section/module in which a flow, during melt supply is converse to the conveying direction of the extruder, and providing cooling tubes arranged within the central spindle.

A method of making multilayer foam sheet from recycled polyester sources, which may be used for packaging applications. The method comprises a co-extrusion system comprising at least two single screw extruders. A low I.V. polyester feedstock comprising up to 100% of the polyester flakes from recycled sources with an intrinsic viscosity (I.V.) of lower than 0.8 dL/g as measured by ASTM D4603-18 is directly being fed into the extruders. Supercritical physical blowing agent is introduced into the melted polyester feedstock in at least one of the extruders wherein the processing temperature is in the range of 15% lower than the melting temperature and 15% higher than the melting temperature. Then, coextruding the feedstock from the extruders of the co-extrusion system through a flat sheet die to make a multilayer foam sheet, wherein at least one layer is a foam layer comprising low I.V. polyester.

Multilayer composite materials are described herein. The multilayer composite materials have a first layer comprising a first polymer and a second layer comprising a second polymer. The first layer and the second layer abut each other. The first layer and the second layer each have a thickness in a range of about 10 nm to about 1 mm. The first layer and the second layer are arranged to provide for the multilayer composite material to have reduced dripping and a delayed first dripping time as they undergo a combustion process relative to a single layer material having a same thickness as a thickness of the multilayer composite materials.

A method of preparing a nanocomposite fiber comprising suspending carbon powder comprising graphene flakes in a carrier fluid. A solid polymer material is added to the carrier fluid having the carbon powder suspended therein to create a mixture. The mixture is heated and the solid polymer material is at least partially dissolved within the carrier fluid having the carbon powder suspended therein. The carrier fluid is removed from the mixture, forming the polymer into a fiber carrying the graphene flakes.