MACHINE DEVELOPMENTS | LAB COMPOUNDERS
Lab systems enable new compound development
Laboratory-scale extruders are the first step in new compound and process development. Jennifer Markarian learns more
As the starting point for many compound and compounding process development projects, laboratory scale compounding extruders are critical items of equipment. And they come in a variety of sizes, extending from what might genuinely be considered to laboratory equip- ment through to small production units. This article takes a look at some of the latest developments. Brabender, which will mark 100
years of manufacturing instruments and equipment for testing materials in 2023, recently launched its 12mm diameter, 36 D Mini-Compounder B-TSE-A 12/36. The machine is designed for formulation and process development duties or for production of very small quantities. Like all Brabender extruders, the new model
features a clamshell design for easy access and cleanability. “When working with several different compounds in the lab, it is easy to changeover quickly, for example from a high-temperature polymer to a low-temperature polymer,” says Shane Harton, North American Sales Manager at Brabender. “You can also switch out the liner and screw and clean it offline, if desired.” The lab extruder attaches directly to Brabender’s
MetaStation drive unit, which is a modular torque rheometer that directly measures mechanical force to determine torque. Torque measurements are important for determining the process conditions for scaling up to a larger extruder, according to Harton. In addition, a rheometric capillary die can be
added at the extruder output to continuously measure viscosity. Harton says there is increasing interest in this type of real-time, in-line measure- ment data. He says the capillary rheometer can also be used as a development tool — by varying screw speed and temperature, a plot of viscosity as a function of shear rate can be obtained. The company’s MetaStation 4E (for torque up to 200 NM) and 8E (for torque up to 400 NM) units
www.compoundingworld.com
have been updated from Windows-based software to an open-source, Linux operating system. “A new, intuitive industrial design is used on all the Bra- bender equipment, so that operators who are familiar with the system can easily operate any equipment,” says Harton. The modular drive can be attached to a twin-
screw extruder or to a mixer, for example, and the software has a similar structure for both so it is easy to switch between systems. “For small-scale development, you can use the mixer for quick batches to choose a formula and then scale-up to the 12mm twin-screw extruder to compound pellets,” Harton says. Brabender’s next-size larger twin-screw extruder is a stand-alone TwinLab-C20/40, with the newest twin-screw extruder to date the 30mm B-TSE-S 30/40 Big Compounder, which can serve as a transition between the lab and pilot plant. The Big Compounder offers a throughput of 100 kg/hr. It also has a clamshell design and uses the Meta- Bridge software. Earlier this year, kneader extruder maker Buss
introduced a laboratory version of its latest Compeo machine design, offering throughputs of
December 2022 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 53
Main image: The latest
addition to the Buss Compeo kneader extruder family is this lab machine, shown with detached twin-screw discharge unit
IMAGE: BUSS
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