A single screw and barrel extrusion system is a widely used method for processing plastic materials. It consists of a rotating screw inside a heated barrel. Raw plastic, in the form of pellets or granules, is fed into the hopper. As the screw turns, the material moves forward while being heated and compressed. The friction and barrel heaters gradually melt the plastic, ensuring a smooth flow toward the die.
The extruder has three main zones: the feed zone, where material enters, the compression zone, where melting and mixing occur, and the metering zone, which ensures uniform flow. Once the molten plastic reaches the die, it is shaped into the desired form and cooled. The screw and barrel are made from durable materials like nitrided steel or bimetallic alloys to resist wear. This system is commonly used for making plastic pipes, sheets, films, and other profiles due to its efficiency and cost-effectiveness.