PIPE EXTRUSION

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
High pressure extrusion:
• Increase adaptor and die temperatures. High output variation:
• Check die for centering. • Increase temperature profile.
• Use wider-opening filter (lower mesh). • Check pellets’ particle size distribution for
• Decrease extrusion speed. uniformity; be sure that there is no long grain,
• Add processing aid to resin formulation. dust particles and flakes.
• Decrease cooling water temperature or increase
Surface imperfections: water flow rate at the feed throat.
• Adjust temperature profile. • Verify extruder motor and transmission belts.
• Use breaker plate and screen pack.
• Verify caterpillar roller (take-off unit) for
slippage.
• Adjust pull-off rate.
• Polish or chrome the head-die set.
• Adjust calibrator water flow.
• Decrease vacuum pressure.
• Periodically change the screen pack.

Figure 2. Pipe warpage example.

Bubbles or pores:
• Verify pipe for cold water drops before it enters
into the calibrator unit.
Figure 1. Surface imperfections in pipes. • Eliminate air bubbles in the first cooling bath.
• Decrease extruder temperature profile.
• Increase vacuum.
Additive migration (plate out): • Decrease cold water in the calibrator.
• Decrease extrusion speed. • Pre-dry the material.
• Decrease temperature profile.
• Polish or chrome the head-die.

Low hydrostatic pressure resistance:

• Increase temperature profile.
• Check head for centering.
• Decrease pull-off rate.
• Verify masterbatch quality.

Warpage, oval distortion or sink marks:

• Check head for centering. Figure 3. Bubbles or pores on pipes.
• Homogenize pipe cooling.
• Decrease extrusion speed.
• Verify die / take-off unit alignment.

Technical Bulletin issued by Poliolefinas Internacionales, C.A. (Pipe Extrusion Troubleshooting Guide). Page 1/2
 PIPE EXTRUSION
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Melt fracture or rough surface: Improper cut:
• Increase adaptor and die temperatures. • Verify saws alignment.
• Increase extrusion temperature. • Sharpen cutting implements.
• Check die for centering and calibration.
• Add processing aid to resin formulation.
• Blend the resin with a higher melt flow index
polyethylene grade, up to 20%. Consult your
Polinter representative.

Figure 4. Pipe improperly cut.

This bulletin has been made by the Marketing Department of Poliolefinas Internacionales, C.A.(Polinter) with technical support of Investigación y Desarrollo, C.A.
(INDESCA).Caracas, Venezuela. August, 10, 2011.

Please check our Webpage: www.polinter,com,ve for further information or contact us at the following e-mail address: info@polinter.com.ve. Also, you can contact us
through our trade agent: Corporación Americana de Resinas (CORAMER) at www.coramer.com.

The information described in this document is accurate and reliable to our best knowledge. However, since the particular uses and processing conditions are completely out
of our control, the setting of the processing variables in order to reach the maximum performance of our products for a specific application depends on and it is
responsibility of the user.

In order to obtain more detailed information of the security aspects regarding the use and disposal of our products, we invite you to consult the material safety data sheets
(MSDS) for Venelene® polyethylene.

Technical Bulletin issued by Poliolefinas Internacionales, C.A. (Pipe Extrusion Troubleshooting Guide). Page 2/2