Troubleshooting extrusion problems is one of the most challenging tasks for everyone involved in extrusion operations. It requires a good understanding of the extrusion process, knowledge of material properties, accurate and reliable instrumentation, good analytical tools, and the ability to adopt a systematic and logical approach.

Troubleshooting the Extrusion Process is the first book available that will help the reader achieve these objectives — it discusses fundamental troubleshooting techniques and tools, investigates troubleshooting systematically, then presents over a dozen richly illustrated case studies of actual extrusion process challenges. Highly recommended.

From the Preface: “...Despite the industrial importance of extrusion troubleshooting, no book currently deals exclusively with this topic. This book is an attempt to rectify this situation...The authors welcome feedback from readers, along with additional material on extrusion troubleshooting. This will allow more information to be incorporated into future editions of this book. The authors plan to add material to future editions with process-specific chapters covering such topics as sheet extrusion, blown film, pipe, wire coating, and so on.”

Target Audience: Process, design, mechanical, industrial, and quality engineers; technical and plant managers; manufacturing personnel; and others concerned with practical extrusion troubleshooting.

Table of Contents:

Requirements for Efficient Troubleshooting

Tools for Troubleshooting

Systematic Troubleshooting: Upsets vs. Development Problems; Machine-Related Problems; Polymer Degradation; Extrusion Instabilities; Air Entrapment; Gel Problems; Die-Flow Problems

Case Studies

Appendix 1: Systematic Problem Solving

Appendix 2: Machine Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Appendix 3: Setting Extruder Termperatures

Index