Overview
Plastic extrusion is a manufacturing process in which raw plastic material is melted and formed into a continuous shape, typically in the form of a profile, tube, sheet, or rod. The material is fed into a machine called an extruder, where it is heated and forced through a die to create the desired shape. The extruded product is then cooled and cut to the desired length. It is a versatile, cost-effective, and efficient process used to make a wide variety of products. LB offers the following types of extrusion capabilities:
Mono Extrusion
Mono Extrusion is a type of plastic extrusion where only a single material is used to create the finished product.
Co-Extrusion
Co-extrusion is a type of plastic extrusion where two or more materials are simultaneously extruded and combined to create a single finished product. This process allows for a variety of unique material combinations to achieve specific end-use properties. The materials are fed into separate extruders and are then combined at a specific point before being extruded through a common die. The materials may be layered in different ways to achieve specific properties or visual effects. For example, a window profile will sometimes include a small bead of flexible PVC in additional to the rigid PVC profile.
Capstock Extrusion
Capstock Extrusion is a process that involves applying a thin layer, or “capstock,” of a different material over the surface of the core material as the product is being extruded. The capstock material is usually a thermoplastic polymer with a different composition, which can add desired properties like UV resistance, weatherability, gloss, and chemical resistance. For example, capstock extrusion is mainly used for products that are exposed to the elements, such as decking, siding, and railing.
LB has 20 extruders and 6 co-extruders of various sizes to handle your large and small jobs. Here is a brief overview of our equipment:
