Abstract: In this article, an experimental platform based on a single-screw extruder with a split barrel was employed to analyze the onset melt temperature, melting duration, temperature and pressure of polymer melt and output of products. The effect of different materials on plasticizing performance of the single-screw extruder was comparatively investigated under different processing conditions. The results indicated that the actual melting duration increased with increasing screw speed or barrel temperature, but it was almost not affected by the onset melt temperature. Moreover, there was no significant change in the temperature and pressure of melting zone in the grooves with an increase of screw speed. However, the output was improved linearly as the screw speed increased. This implicates a good extrusion feature.

Key words: grooved barrel, single-screw extruder, plasticizing property, technology