Size Reduction
A major step in the polymer development procedure occurs when the individual resin pellets are ground to a fine powder. For that reason, the choice of polymer grinding techniques becomes a vital component of the overall process.
At General Polymer Services, we offer a wide array of grinding equipment, as well as professional advice on which grinding method will work best for your project. We work with our clients to ensure that the grinding process produces the highest-quality product, while maintaining both energy efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Purposes of Grinding
The fineness of the polymer grains left after grinding often contribute to the quality of the finished product. Smaller grains lead to less shear between ingredients during the blending process, thus ensuring a smoother mixture.
The incorrect choice of grinding technique can have a damaging effect on the final product. Materials that are ground in improper ways can result in polymers that become contaminated with extraneous substances. These substances can affect the durability, tensile strength, or aesthetic appeal of the materials.
Applications for Size Reduction
Polymer grinding has a wide range of applications. For every industry that uses polymer materials, those industries also have specialized polymer grinding needs. These industries can include:
- Auto parts
- Cosmetics
- Electronics
- Food products
- Medical implants
- Plastic Recycling
- … and many more
Size Reduction Technology
The team at General Polymer Services has numerous methods for grinding polymers available. These methods can grind resin pellets down to fractions of a millimeter. The types of materials used in the project, as well as the fineness of grain the project requires, will determine the choice of grinding method.
Attrition Size Reduction
Attrition grinding uses mechanical methods to reduce the particle size. These methods can include friction, impact, shearing, or a combination of all of these. Some materials suited for attrition grinding include:
- Compound & Master Batch
- Coating Powders
- Rotational Molding
Cryogenic Size Reduction
The cryogenic size reduction process, also known as “cryomilling”, involves exposing the resin pellets to temperatures of -100° Centigrade or lower. These temperatures lead to finer grains, as they make even the most elastic polymers more brittle. This environment also suppresses recovery and recrystallization. Some materials suitable for cryomilling include:
- Cellulose ether
- Composite materials
- Copolymers
- Elastomers
- Heat sensitive polymers
- Polyester
- Synthetic rubber
Jet Milling
Jet milling uses high-speed mechanical mills to collide pieces of the resin pellets into each other. This method can produce grains as fine as 1 to 10 microns. Jet milling can also work with oxidizers or highly explosive materials, as it does not introduce any volatile agents to aid with the grinding process. Some materials used in jet milling include:
- Molybdenum compounds
- Paint pigments
- Toner compounds
- Hard waxes
- Organic material
Contact Us
Let the team at General Polymer Services show you how we can work with you on your next polymer compounding project.
Our techniques can help you boost your manufacturing capacity, without the high cost of capital investment or the inconvenience of long installation times.
To learn more about how we can help you with your next project, email us at info@generalpolymerservices.com or call us at (281) 424-4673.