Mixing in polymer processing - Implementation
Article REF: AM3636 V1

Mixing in polymer processing - Implementation

Authors : Jean-François AGASSANT, Francis PINSOLLE, Bruno VERGNES

Publication date: June 10, 2017, Review date: February 5, 2025 | Lire en français

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Overview

ABSTRACT

The development of new polymeric materials often requires mixing various polymers or mixing a polymer with inorganic fillers or fibers. These mixing operations are performed in processes with complex geometry and kinematics, largely derived from the experience of those skilled in the art. This article presents and explains how the main industrial mixing processes work. These general considerations are then illustrated by some concrete examples.

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AUTHORS

  • Jean-François AGASSANT: Professor - MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, CEMEF (Centre de Mise en Forme des Matériaux), UMR CNRS 7635, Sophia Antipolis, France

  • Francis PINSOLLE: ENSEM engineer (Ecole nationale supérieure d'électricité et de mécanique de Nancy) - Master of Science from Philadelphia University - IAE (Aix-en-Provence Institute of Business Administration)

  • Bruno VERGNES: Research Director - MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, CEMEF (Centre de Mise en Forme des Matériaux), UMR CNRS 7635, Sophia Antipolis, France

 INTRODUCTION

The previous article [AM 3 635] introduced some basic concepts governing polymer blending operations and quantified their efficiency, with the aim of shedding light on the operation of different industrial tools. It should be remembered, however, that blending involves two quite different types of operation: dispersion, which consists in reducing the size of the phase to be dispersed (filler, other polymer, etc.), and distribution, which consists in homogenizing the spatial distribution of the dispersed phase within the matrix.

The aim of this article is to examine the operation of the main industrial mixing tools and to illustrate it with a few concrete examples, mainly concerning the production of composites and nanocomposites. These mixing tools are highly varied and can be classified according to several criteria:

  • continuous or discontinuous operation,

  • solid (powders, granules) or liquid,

  • (in the liquid case) low or very high viscosity.

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KEYWORDS

polymer   |   dispersion   |   filler   |   fiber   |   distribution   |   extruder

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Mixing operations in polymer transformation processes

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