Extrusion International 1-2017

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24 Extrusion International 1/2017 COMPOUNDING
TEX25αIII high-performance extruder
for demanding R&D in compounding
The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. JSW, shows at K 2016 its TEX25αIII
laboratory extruder with a special side feeder, the compounding
range ofwhich extends to super engineeringplastics and rubber/
elastomer compound. The compact 26.5 mm diameter co-
rotating twin-screw extruder (first worldwide debut in 2014), for
product development of various compounds andmasterbatches
in engineering and high performance thermoplastics is the
smallest one of eight types in the TEX-αIII series (up to 129.5 mm
diameter) available in Europe.
The TEX25αIII compounding range covers all general purpose/
engineering plastics recipes and extends to super engineering
plastics such as PEEK, PPA, PPS, LCP, PEI, and PI, also rubber/
elastomer compound such as TPV. This makes the compounder
ideal for research and development with frequent material and
process changes, as cartridge heaters and a barrel clamping
mechanism enable easy and rapid barrel section block chang-
es., The total screw length/diameter (L/D) ratios can be select-
ed from 42 with 12 blocks, 52.5 with 15 blocks, and 70 with 20
blocks. The machine accommodates vented or closed barrel
sections and side feeding of abrasive reinforcements, heat- or
shear-sensitive compound additives and materials into the melt
via a downstreambarrel section. Wear resistant LSP-2modified
tool steel screws and barrels inN60-S nickel based alloymade by
JSW promise long life of barrel and screw (high wear and cor-
rosion resistance) for various kinds of compounds containing
abrasive and/or corrosive materials and additives.
TEX25αIII series advantages include a new gearbox design
combined with enhanced gears and bearings, screw shafts and
barrels as well as individual barrel temperature control. The re-
sult is a surprisingly high torque of up to 194 Nm per shaft (or
387 Nm in total) combined with wider processing windows as
well as more aggressive kneading and mixing. Its torque den-
sity value is 18.2 Td i.e. reduced screw speed without reducing
the throughput and keeping the temperature at an optimally
reduced level. A standard torque limiting function disengages
motor and gearbox to stop the screw rotation and protect the
machinery. A low noise water-cooledmotor is optional, as is di-
rect drive instead of the standard V-belt drive in Europe.
A TKD Twist Kneading Disc screw element with a twisted tip
developed for energy-efficiency of kneading and mixing sup-
ports this “tip-clearance technology” by ensuring fast material
conveying and relatively lowmaterial temperaturewhile retain-
ing appropriate mixing efficiency. “Such features make the
TEX25αIII the worldwide highest performance compact twin-
screw extruder,” says Jun Kakizaki, JSW Europe General Man-
ager since July 2016.
JSW’s patented TEX-FAN Flow Analysis Network R&D support
tool developed for TEX25αIII analyses polymer melt pressure,
temperature, residence time and fill factor with special dedi-
cated software developed by JSW. The TEX25α III comes with
JSW’s EXANET 64-bit RISC high-speed control system. Its 15-inch
colour LCD touchscreen provides for easy operation, optimum
process control and monitoring, storing thousands of opera-
tion conditions and process parameters. It integrates with aux-
iliary equipment, from JSW’s gravimetric feeders, side feeder,
through to strand and underwater pelletizer units.
The NIC special kneading barrel developed by JSW is discussed
as a possible option. It achieves good mixing/dispersion at re-
peated high-low shear rate and high viscosity for good com-
pound material properties – without dead zones at the mixing
zone through the introduction of several longitudinal grooves
of particular geometry on the inside barrel surface for more
screw to barrel clearance. New“TEXenter”: “Wewould also like
to announce that we will open our new technical center called
“TEXenter” at K2016 in Düsseldorf from January 2017,” says
Hayato Hobo, Sales Representative at JSW Europe since June
2016. The “TEXenter”will be equippedwith all high-end equip-
ment for R&D on extrusion processes, compounding, dewater-
ing, devolatilizing, pelletizing etc. The TEX44α III will be installed
for high-end compound test and a specialized TEX30α will be
available for devolatilizing test. The 700 square meter floor
space “TEXenter” is combined with a 200 square meter office
section. “We welcome customers and prospects to come to us
for TEX-αIII demonstrations,” promises Kenji Inagawa, Process
Engineer. Apart fromhands on equipment, the “TEXenter” has
the appropriate facilities for seminars, lectures and training on
customer demand.
TEX25 αIII, co-rotating twin-screw extruder