This review report discusses sheet and profile extrusion, wire and cable coating, and coinjection. It describes both the rheological and structural considerations and the design and selection of machinery. Problems of layer instability and the measurement of layer thickness are addressed, as well as the selection of polymers and the recyclability of coextruded scrap.

From the Introduction: “...With increased interest in coextrusion technology has come the development of new polymers; designed especially for coextrusion as adhesive and barrier polymers, for recycling, and blending with different polymers, etc. There has also been a proliferation of equipment; coextrusion adapters, multimanifold dies, feedblocks and other coextrusion tools, with capabilities to coextrude materials with high viscosity ratios, and varieties of combinations with minimal and rapid changes...”

Rapra Review Reports contain a brief overview of the topic, followed by extensive references, with abstracts, from the Rapra database. They serve as condensed, valuable research tools for scientists, technologists, and other researchers working with rubber or plastics materials.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

The Coextrusion Process: Status and Importance

Polymers

Coextruded Structures

Coextrusion Tools

Coextrusion Dies

Layer Distribution and Instability

Determination of Layer Thickness

Selection of Polymers

Recycling

Conclusion and Trends

References from the Rapra Abstracts Database

Subject Index