Real-time measurement of melt viscosity in single-screw extrusion

Abstract

This paper examines the issues associated with the real-time measurement of viscosity in a single-screw extruder. To this end, the static and dynamic performance of a side-stream and in-line rheometer are compared. Side-stream sampling techniques were shown to be inappropriate for accurate detection of process dynamics. In-line rheometers may detect process dynamics but there are practical limitations on their use in an industrial environment.