A revised version of this book is now available.The polyethylene industry has been in the midst of major restructuring and rationalization. This has lead to joint ventures and alliances to combine technologies and exploit opportunities to maximize improvements in process productivity, catalyst innovations, and enhancements in extrusion technology and converting. This comprehensive study of the polyethylene film extrusion process describes this technology in detail. In depth descriptions of the manufacturing processes for polyethylene homopolymers and copolymers, including metallocenes, are reviewed. All aspects of machine design with particular emphasis on screws and dies including coextrusion are discussed comprehensively. With computer modeling, the interactions between equipment and polymer are quantified. All aspects of equipment design and polymer features that control melt fracture, interfacial instabilities, gauge control, output and temperature, and cooling of blown and cast film processes are presented quantitatively. This methodology will highlight solutions in troubleshooting for optimum design and operation and the best available polymer and formulation choices. All polyethylene film applications in packaging, agriculture, lamination, and construction, consumer, industrial, and health care are reviewed and discussed in depth.

A revised version of this book is now available. The polyethylene industry has been in the midst of major restructuring and rationalization. This has lead to joint ventures and alliances to combine technologies and exploit opportunities to maximize improvements in process productivity, catalyst innovations, and enhancements in extrusion technology and converting. This comprehensive study of the polyethylene film extrusion process describes this technology in detail. In depth descriptions of the manufacturing processes for polyethylene homopolymers and copolymers, including metallocenes, are reviewed. All aspects of machine design with particular emphasis on screws and dies including coextrusion are discussed comprehensively. With computer modeling, the interactions between equipment and polymer are quantified. All aspects of equipment design and polymer features that control melt fracture, interfacial instabilities, gauge control, output and temperature, and cooling of blown and cast film processes are presented quantitatively. This methodology will highlight solutions in troubleshooting for optimum design and operation and the best available polymer and formulation choices. All polyethylene film applications in packaging, agriculture, lamination, and construction, consumer, industrial, and health care are reviewed and discussed in depth.

This practical guide begins with general background to the polyethylene family, with price, production and market share information. It describes the basic types of polyethylene including virgin and filled polyethylene, copolymers, block and graft polymers and composites, and reviews the types of additives used in polyethylene. It gives the low down on the properties, including, amongst others, rheological, mechanical, chemical, thermal, and electrical properties. It goes on to describe the processing issues and conditions for the wide range of techniques used for polyethylene, and also considers post-processing and assembly issues. It offers guidance on product design and development issues, including materials selection. It is an indispensable resource for everyone working with this material.

"From hardware and materials through processing and properties, a broad coverage of blown film extrusion is presented. A primary objective of this book is to ensure a useful balance of theory and practice. The reader will find the answers to why they encounter certain effects in the blown film process so that they are better able to troubleshoot and improve their operations. At the same time, current practices and equipment are emphasized to keep readers up-to-date with the most productive and efficient technology. The companion computer-based learning tool, The Blown Film Extrusion Simulator, is provided to enhance the reader's understanding. This software was developed specifically to teach blown film extrusion equipment operation and processing principles, and is available for download. Throughout this book, exercises using the simulator are described to complement the methods and principles explained. New in this third edition is a chapter on polymer rheology, with an overview of the rheology of polymer melts and its effect on extruding blown film. Additionally, improvements and corrections have been made throughout the book. Contents: Materials for Blown Film Polymer Rheology Extrusion Overview Hardware for Blown Film Processing Coextrusion Film Properties Troubleshooting"--

The second edition of Extrusion is designed to aid operators, engineers, and managers in extrusion processing in quickly answering practical day-to-day questions. The first part of the book provides the fundamental principles, for operators and engineers, of polymeric materials extrusion processing in single and twin screw extruders. The next section covers advanced topics including troubleshooting, auxiliary equipment, and coextrusion for operators, engineers, and managers. The final part provides applications case studies in key areas for engineers such as compounding, blown film, extrusion blow molding, coating, foam, and reprocessing. This practical guide to extrusion brings together both equipment and materials processing aspects. It covers basic and advanced topics, for reference and training, in thermoplastics processing in the extruder. Detailed reference data are provided on such important operating conditions as temperatures, start-up procedures, shear rates, pressure drops, and safety. - A practical guide to the selection, design and optimization of extrusion processes and equipment - Designed to improve production efficiency and product quality - Focuses on practical fault analysis and troubleshooting techniques

This handbook provides an exhaustive description of polyethylene. The 50+ chapters are written by some of the most experienced and prominent authors in the field, providing a truly unique view of polyethylene. The book starts with a historical discussion on how low density polyethylene was discovered and how it provided unique opportunities in the early days. New catalysts are presented and show how they created an expansion in available products including linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, copolymers, and polyethylene produced from metallocene catalysts. With these different catalysts systems a wide range of structures are possible with an equally wide range of physical properties. Numerous types of additives are presented that include additives for the protection of the resin from the environment and processing, fillers, processing aids, anti-fogging agents, pigments, and flame retardants. Common processing methods including extrusion, blown film, cast film, injection molding, and thermoforming are presented along with some of the more specialized processing techniques such as rotational molding, fiber processing, pipe extrusion, reactive extrusion, wire and cable, and foaming processes. The business of polyethylene including markets, world capacity, and future prospects are detailed. This handbook provides the most current and complete technology assessments and business practices for polyethylene resins.