In the technical analysis of the temperature curve of a screw extruder, the calculated temperatures are plotted at various support points along the length of the screw. These interpolation points represent defined positions along the screw at which calculations are performed.

• ** Red curve: Melt temperature curve along the length of the screw. This curve shows the calculated temperatures of the material that is melted during the process. The temperature curve is the result of thermal and mechanical influences acting on the material during the rotation of the screw, such as friction, shear and heat transfer from the heated zones of the barrel. * ** Blue curve: Temperatures of the heating zones along the extruder barrel. This curve shows the temperatures that are set in the individual heating segments of the extruder barrel. These heating zones play a central role in regulating the temperature balance and supporting the melting of the material.

The visualisation of the temperature curve provides a differentiated view of the thermal conditions in the screw extruder. The two curves (red and blue) provide information on how the melt temperature interacts with the heating zone temperatures and whether the temperature profile along the screw length meets the process requirements.

* Melt temperature (red curve): The progression of the melt temperature along the screw provides information on how the material is thermally processed. Ideally, this curve should rise evenly, especially in the plasticising area where the material is melted. However, excessive heating can lead to thermal damage to the polymer, while insufficient heating slows down the melting process or makes it incomplete. * Heating zone temperature (blue curve): The heating areas along the extruder barrel are divided into several zones, each of which can be controlled individually. The blue curve shows which temperatures are set in the individual zones. These temperatures are not only used to heat the material directly, but also to regulate the heat generated by the mechanical shear. In areas where the melt temperature becomes too high, the heating zones can cool, while in areas with a low temperature they can supply additional heat.

• Tab system
• Screw
• Multigraphics
• Pressure profile
• Melting profile
• Temperature profile
• Power profile
• Residence time
• Wall shear stress
• Distribution of residence time
• Mixing behaviour
• Material degradation
• Shear deformation gradient and shear rate
• Drag-pressure flow
• Short report
• Long report