A single-screw extruder (100), and a method. The extruder (100) comprises—a cylindrical rotor member (1) having diameter (D) and length (L) and comprising a feeding zone (14), —the rotor member (1) arranged in a barrel (2), —the cylindrical surface of the rotor member (1) carrying cavity/cavities and/or projection(s) (5) arranged in helically extending rows, —the helically extending row(s) of the rotor member (1) having a pitch (P) and depth (d) in the feeding zone (14) of the rotor member, and the extruder (100) further compris-ing—a drive system (4) for the rotation of the rotor member (1) in the barrel (2). The relation of the depth (d) to the diame-ter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. d:D, is not more than 1:20, and the relation of the pitch (P) of the rotor member to the di-ameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. P:D, is not more than 1:4.

A single-screw extruder (100), and a method. The extruder (100) comprises—a cylindrical rotor member (1) having diameter (D) and length (L) and comprising a feeding zone (14), —the rotor member (1) arranged in a barrel (2), —the cylindrical surface of the rotor member (1) carrying cavity/cavities and/or projection(s) (5) arranged in helically extending rows, —the helically extending row(s) of the rotor member (1) having a pitch (P) and depth (d) in the feeding zone (14) of the rotor member, and the extruder (100) further compris-ing—a drive system (4) for the rotation of the rotor member (1) in the barrel (2). The relation of the depth (d) to the diame-ter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. d:D, is not more than 1:20, and the relation of the pitch (P) of the rotor member to the di-ameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. P:D, is not more than 1:4.

A method for forming a graphene-reinforced polymer matrix composite is disclosed. The method includes distributing graphite microparticles into a molten thermoplastic polymer phase; and applying a succession of shear strain events to the molten polymer phase so that the molten polymer phase exfoliates the graphite successively with each event until at least 50% of the graphite is exfoliated to form a distribution in the molten polymer phase of single- and multi-layer graphene nanoparticles less than 50 nanometers thick along the c-axis direction.

A method for forming a graphene-reinforced polymer matrix composite is disclosed. The method includes distributing graphite microparticles into a molten thermoplastic polymer phase; and applying a succession of shear strain events to the molten polymer phase so that the molten polymer phase exfoliates the graphite successively with each event until at least 50% of the graphite is exfoliated to form a distribution in the molten polymer phase of single- and multi-layer graphene nanoparticles less than 50 nanometers thick along the c-axis direction.

A shearing part for a plasticising screw has at least one inlet channel and at least one outlet channel, which run helically around or parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the shearing part. The inlet channel is open upstream and closed downstream. The outlet channel is open downstream and closed upstream. The inlet outlet channels are arranged lying directly adjacent to one another and contiguous to one another, and are connected directly with one another fluidically, so that inflowing melt can flow over directly from the inlet channel into the outlet channel, wherein a flow direction transversely to longitudinal axis (X) of the shearing part is produced. The inlet channel has a depth (T) at which shearing action on the melt is substantially avoided. The outlet channel is configured as shearing surface, so that shearing action is present onto melt flowing through the outlet channel.

A shearing part for a plasticising screw has at least one inlet channel and at least one outlet channel, which run helically around or parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the shearing part. The inlet channel is open upstream and closed downstream. The outlet channel is open downstream and closed upstream. The inlet outlet channels are arranged lying directly adjacent to one another and contiguous to one another, and are connected directly with one another fluidically, so that inflowing melt can flow over directly from the inlet channel into the outlet channel, wherein a flow direction transversely to longitudinal axis (X) of the shearing part is produced. The inlet channel has a depth (T) at which shearing action on the melt is substantially avoided. The outlet channel is configured as shearing surface, so that shearing action is present onto melt flowing through the outlet channel.

An improved screw has a shaft having a surface and a central axis and at least one flight extending helically along the surface of the shaft in successive turns. A continuous groove is formed in the surface of the shaft and extends between successive, pushing and trailing, turns of the flight at a selected angle greater than zero. The groove defines at least one generally triangular land having a base aligned with a pushing turn of the flight and an apex between successive turns of the flight. The groove also defines another generally triangular land having a base aligned with a trailing turn of the flight. Barriers or dams may be provided on the lands and in the grooves. A second continuous groove may also be formed in the surface of the shaft.

A screw for a plasticating apparatus has one or more helical flights. A portion of the screw has a plurality of advancing grooves arranged in a noncontinuous helix cut in the screw. The advancing grooves are dimensioned to receive material therein as the material is conveyed through the barrel. The screw has a plurality of noncontinuous cross-cut grooves traversing one or more of the advancing grooves. The cross-cut grooves have a second helix angle greater than the first helix angle and less than ninety degrees; and/or one or more of the cross-cut grooves have a third helix angle of about ninety degrees.

A screw for a plasticating apparatus has one or more helical flights. A portion of the screw has a plurality of advancing grooves arranged in a noncontinuous helix cut in the screw. The advancing grooves are dimensioned to receive material therein as the material is conveyed through the barrel. The screw has a plurality of noncontinuous cross-cut grooves traversing one or more of the advancing grooves. The cross-cut grooves have a second helix angle greater than the first helix angle and less than ninety degrees; and/or one or more of the cross-cut grooves have a third helix angle of about ninety degrees.

A screw for a plasticating apparatus has one or more helical flights. A portion of the screw has a plurality of advancing grooves arranged in a noncontinuous helix cut in the screw. The advancing grooves are dimensioned to receive material therein as the material is conveyed through the barrel. The screw has a plurality of noncontinuous cross-cut grooves traversing one or more of the advancing grooves. The cross-cut grooves have a second helix angle greater than the first helix angle and less than ninety degrees; and/or one or more of the cross-cut grooves have a third helix angle of about ninety degrees.