Study of the Single-Screw Extrusion Process Using Polylactide

This study presents the extrusion process while using a single-screw extruder and polylactide (PLA). This material belongs to the so-called biodegradable plastics, and is characterized by a higher density compared to typical polymeric materials used to manufacture products in this technology. Various polyethylenes and polypropylenes and their derivatives are commonly used. An evaluation of the extrusion process was carried out for various extruder operating parameters. The rotational speed of the screw and the process temperature were changed. For each rotational speed of the screw, the following readings were made: changes in temperature, active power, current intensity, pressure, and mass of extruded plastics each time.