Abstract:
Extrusion is a process that the cross-section area of a billet is reduced by forcing it to flow through a
die with a certain shape with high pressure. Different types of extruders are used with several
materials in extrusion processes. Obtaining the product without defects, energy efficiency is some
major considerations of the extrusion process and process optimizations are conducting for better
extrusions. Among all the extruder types, single screw extruders play a major role due to low cost,
easiness of manufacture and maintenance, and parts resistance to abuse. Screw speed, taper angle,
channel depth, helix angle, pitch are some of the parameters related to screw and which can affect the
extrusion process. Scholars have studied the effect of the metallurgical properties of the material,
friction factors, and flow indexes of materials, screw speeds, and taper angles. The effect of the
channel depth and helix angle should be considered in material extrusion process optimization. This
study carried out the relationship between channel depth and helix angle within extrusion, optimal
helix angle, channel depth for the PLA polymer extrusion process and variation of pressure gradient
of extruder with channel depth and helix angle was studied using the finite element analysis methods.
PLA polymers with different MFI values used for analysis in Abaqus. This study suggests the
optimal helix angle and channel depth for PLA extrusion to obtain maximum flow with a high-
pressure gradient.
Keywords: Single-Screw extruder; Helix angle; Channel Depth; Extrusion Optimization
