Plastic Extrusion FAQ and Answers

The plastic extrusion process begins when polymer compounds and additives in the form of pellets, flakes, granules, or powders are continuously fed through a hopper into the extruder. The screw gradually moves these materials along the barrel, and in the process, enough heat is generated to melt the plastic compounds. External heaters help to maintain the desired temperature as the melted plastic moves through the barrel.

When molten plastic exits the barrel, it is forced through a die that shapes it into the desired profile. A cooling section helps to maintain the profile while the plastic sets and hardens.

Composite windows, vinyl fencing, and freezer gaskets are all examples of the wide variety of products that are produced using the high-volume plastic extrusion manufacturing process. Plastic extrusion is continuous and capable of high volume output, making it a more economical plastics manufacturing method than other processes. In addition, tooling costs are relatively low.

Preferred Plastics’ product line includes:

• Belting components
• Bumpers
• Chock blocks
• Cord & bindings
• Edge and wall trims
• Gaskets
• Guards
• Housings
• Point of Purchase components
• Seals
• Shims
• Shrouds
• Step treads
• Slats
• Tubing
• V-Guides
• Wall protection liners
• Weather strips
• Window components

Plastic extrusion is continuous and capable of high-volume output, making it a more economical plastics manufacturing method than other processes. In addition, tooling costs are relatively low.

Preferred Plastics' plastic extrusion service capabilities include custom part configurations such as metal on the inside, cloth on the outside, multi-colored profiles, dual durometers, textured surfaces, and other configurations.

Plastic extrusion is continuous and capable of high volume output, making it a more economical plastics manufacturing method than other processes. In addition, tooling costs are relatively low.

• Profile extrusions – custom shapes and sizes to meet the requirements for a wide range of industries and applications
• Tube extrusions – custom tube profiles for a wide range of industrial and consumer applications
• Co-extrusions – using two or more resins to manufacture parts that meet exacting performance requirements
• Crosshead extrusions – providing reinforcement for the part or encapsulation of metal pieces within the extrusion

Linear products are the best applications for extrusion. Products that are straight can be cut to different lengths or have secondary applications performed to them. Cutting, notching, welding, etc.

Composite windows, vinyl fencing, and freezer gaskets are all examples of the wide variety of products that are produced using Preferred Plastics' high-volume plastic extrusion manufacturing capabilities.

Our extruded plastic parts are used in the automotive, processing, medical device, construction, marine, RV, and household appliance industries. Some of the materials available are:

• PVC (rigid and flexible)
• ABS
• TPE (thermoplastic elastomer)
• HIPS (high impact polystyrene)
• PETG (polyethylene terephthalate)
• Noryl® PPO
• Polyethylene (HDPE, MDPE, & LDPE)
• Polypropylene
• UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene)
• TPO (thermoplastic olefin)
• TPV (thermoplastic vulcanizates)
• TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane)
• Custom compounds

Preferred Plastics has the capabilities to extrude your product using a wide range of thermoplastic materials, including specialty compounds, from PVC and ABS to TPE and Polypropylene, and much more.

• Plastics can only be extruded while hot
• Cold extrusion typically refers to metal extrusions

Without a doubt, drying is the most important step in the manufacture of wood and ceramic products or the disposal of waterlogged waste. Lowering the moisture content improves product quality while reducing transportation costs.

Open air drying typically takes months, while kiln drying takes weeks. It takes 2-12 months to air dry wood to a usable state, under 20% moisture content. The same goal can be achieved in a kiln in days to weeks depending on the heat, air flow, and other factors.

Lumber can be dried in open air environments naturally without a kiln. While this process takes longer, it achieves a similar result in the end. 

Yes, both in the short term and in the long run. Polycarbonate kiln sticks can be reused many more times than standard hardwood kiln sticks. Their sturdy construction and material enables them to be used and abused many times before needing to be replaced. 

Preferred Plastics' kiln stacking stickers are extruded polycarbonate tubes designed to be used as kiln drying sticks. Our Plastic kiln sticks are specifically designed to allow moisture to escape the lumber being dried while being strong enough to handle heavy loads.

After trees, agricultural products, or minerals are harvested, the weight of water is often more significant than the items themselves. This water must be removed to some degree for usability. Drying with natural products can be problematic, however. Drying operations account for up to 80 percent of an application’s total energy usage.

Our kiln stacking sticks are manufactured from high-performance polycarbonate, a thermoplastic material prized for its strength, flexibility, and weatherability.

Polycarbonate used in manufacturing our kiln stickers is safe to use in temperatures up to 240F degrees.

Thermoplastic polyurethane is a thermoplastic elastomer that exhibits properties that are valuable for many industrial applications. TPU is abrasion-resistant, oil and grease resistant, and has strong mechanical properties.

TPU is composed of hard and soft segments, increasing its flexibility and use for different applications. TPU offers this flexibility without the use of plasticizers. It can be used as both a hard and soft engineering thermoplastic. It can be sterilized and maintains flexibility in low temperatures.

TPU is used for applications in the automotive, medical device, conveyor, and sporting goods industries. Some of the custom TPU parts we manufacture at Preferred Plastics are automotive and vehicle side molding and supports, seals, belting, gaskets, tubing, and drive belts.

The soft segments are polyether- or polyester-based, with the polyether-based formulations performing better in wet environments and the polyester-based formulations performing better in applications that are exposed to oil and hydrocarbons.

PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a popular material for a wide range of plastic products. It is a durable material, exhibits chemical and biological resistance. While it is a rigid plastic, the addition of plasticizers results in a more flexible material.

PVC is cheaper to manufacture than other thermoplastics, making it a cost-effective material to use in many applications.

PVC is typically used for applications in the automotive, construction, plumbing, marine, furniture, and RV, window & door, and farm & garden industries.

Composite windows, vinyl fencing, and freezer gaskets are all examples of the wide variety of products that are produced using the high-volume plastic extrusion manufacturing process. Plastic extrusion is continuous and capable of high volume output, making it a more economical plastics manufacturing method than other processes. In addition, tooling costs are relatively low.

Polypropylene is a versatile thermoplastic polymer resin that is used throughout industries as a structural and a fiber-type plastic. It is a strong, durable material with a high melting point, high tensile and compressive strength, excellent dielectric properties, and is resistant to most acids and solvents.