Monofilament / tape extrusion
Pilot-scale extrusion line for monofilaments, bicomponent yarns and tapes
Functionalised (mono & multi) filaments, and bicomponent yarns and tapes from (bio) polymers
- Two extruders allow for a large variety of polymer flow rates for pilot scale productions from 0.250 to ± 5 kg / hour.
- The low flow rates are especially important to process experimental products that are only available in very limited quantities.
- Extrusion of both thick (several mm) and thin (< 40µm) filaments. In addition to filaments, the extruder is suited to produce filament bundles, films and cut tapes.
Features
- Cooling systems: standard cooling water bath with temperature range from 18 to 60°C or cooling drum with the same temperature range or air cooling or a combination of both methods
- The filaments are drawn by means of four roller sets, each with an adjustable temperature; intermediate ovens allow the process to take place in several steps to optimize both strength and stability.
- Thermal treatment in hot-air or steam ovens; possibility of a 3-step drawing process to maximize the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the yarns.
- Winding station with 4 positions for monofilament (bundles) or to a winding device for tapes.
Bicomponent fibres
The extrusion line is also suited to produce bicomponent filaments, made from two different polymer grades that are present over the entire length of the filament according to a determined pattern. By extruding both polymers to one filament, their different properties will be combined. The line is capable of producing core-sheath, side-by-side and island-in-the-sea bicomponent filaments.
The final properties and applications depend on the properties of the polymers used and on the shape of the cross-section.
Co-extruded films
The line is equipped with spinnerets to co-extrude films with an A, A-B and A-B-A-structure up to 50 mm.
Material characterisation:
- Thermal analysis (e.g. DSC, TGA)
- Rheology (e.g. MFI, intrinsic viscosity)
- Additives (e.g. XRF, FTIR)
Extrusion to filaments:
- Monofilaments
- Multifilaments: CF, POY and BCF yarns
- Bicomponent filaments & tapes
Prototyping/sample testing
- yarn testing: density, strength, elongation, modulus, evenness, (SEM) microscopic assessment
- processability: knitting, weaving, composite formation, 3D printing
- added functionalities: antimicrobial properties, burning behaviour, thermal insulation, wicking properties, conductivity etc