There are several different methods of custom manufacturing plastics. The techniques used to customize plastics are different from those that manufacturers use for metal, such as aluminum. One of the most common plastic manufacturing techniques is co-extrusion.
During this process, plastics go through a co-extrusion line, which customizes the shape and type of material that you need at the end. Here is a quick guide to what this production line actually does.
Melts Different Polymers Together
The biggest reason why manufacturers may turn to a co-extrusion line is that this is the best way to work with several different polymers. Plastic is not just a singular material—there are thousands of different polymers and types out there, and blending them into one product isn’t always easy.
The process of co-extrusion makes this normally difficult project easier because the polymers are melted separately but extruded onto the same die or mold. This allows polymers of different properties to be blended into the same material.
Allows Layering
Another benefit of a co-extrusion line is that it allows materials to be precisely layered. Layering plastics adds heft and durability to a finished product, but you don’t want the final results to be lumpy or uneven. The best way to layer precisely, ensuring that each polymer has been processed properly and that the layers are at the right thickness, is through a production line like the one described.
For complex plastics manufacturing, production lines using co-extrusion processes are the best option.
