Wear Measurement – Detect Early, Act with Precision
During extrusion or injection molding, the plastic or rubber compound is conveyed and plasticized by the rotating screw inside the barrel. This continuous process inevitably leads to wear – on the screw, barrel, and non-return valve. In rubber processing in particular, aggressive compound ingredients such as sulfur, carbon black, or mineral fillers place additional stress on the components involved.
Key factors influencing wear:
- Plastic or rubber compound and its additives
- Processing parameters
- Design of the plasticizing unit
- Material combination of screw, barrel, and non-return valve
Types of Wear
We distinguish between the following wear mechanisms:
- Abrasion – micro-cutting caused by hard fillers, reinforcing agents, or mineral components
- Adhesion – cold welding and scuffing between metallic surfaces
- Surface fatigue – fatigue wear caused by cyclic loading
- Tribochemical reactions – layer wear resulting from chemical interactions, particularly relevant in sulfur- or acid-containing rubber compounds
On-Site Wear Measurement
Using our specially developed measuring equipment, we carry out wear measurement directly at your facility – for both plastics and rubber applications. Results are provided immediately – including our well-founded recommendation for the next steps.
Our recommendations are based on more than 55 years of experience in both processing sectors and a holistic assessment of your entire production process. In addition to conventional reconditioning, we also provide targeted recommendations regarding screw geometry and material selection – with the goal of sustainably reducing future wear.
The Perfect Combination: Wear Measurement & Process Optimization
The combination of precise wear measurement and targeted process optimization enables screw solutions that are perfectly tailored to your specific application in plastics or rubber processing. The result: greater process reliability, extended service life, and minimized machine downtime.