Effect of screw rotating speed on polymer melt temperature profiles in twin screw extruder

The effect of screw rotating speed on two-dimensional temperature profiles of flowing polypropylene melt was investigated in the barrel of a counter-r otating twin screw extruder using a designed experimental apparatus and a t hermocouple temperature sensing device, the experimental apparatus being co nnected to a high speed data logger and a computer. The flow patterns of th e polymer melt in the barrel of the extruder were also revealed. The change s in melt temperature profiles with extruding time were discussed in terms of flow patterns of the polymer melt during the flow, the increase in melt temperature being closely associated with total flow length of the melt, an d shear heating and heat conduction effects. (C) 2000 Kluwer Academic Publi shers.