Twin-screw segments for gentle melting & mixing.

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Two new groups of twin-screw kneading elements for gentle, low-pressure melting and mixing were introduced at the recent K 2007 show in Dusseldorf by Coperion (U.S. office in Ramsey, N.J.). One is a group of cam-style ZSK elements for dispersive mixing, which are used for bimodal polyolefins with very high filler levels. The second group are modified kneading discs called SAM elements, where the width of the kneading disc is reduced along the length of the tip. This reduces melting pressure by increasing the space between the elements. It also slightly reduces the self-wiping action, but not enough to be a problem, Coperion says. Tel: [phone] * www.coperion.com