Calendering is used to produce a variety of sheet-like polymer products. In particular, it is the leading method for processing vinyl.
Polymer Product Manufacturing Steps
Calendering is one of the ways you can process the polymer in the manufacture of polymer products:
General Information
Calendering was originally developed to process rubber, but today is widely used to make thermoplastic films, sheets, and coatings. Calendering is used most frequently in the production of vinyl products, primarily plasticized PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Calendering is popular because the thickness of the product can be set accurately and finish coatings or textures may be applied.
Equipment Design
Calendering was originally developed to process rubber, but today is widely used to make thermoplastic films, sheets, and coatings. Calendering is used most frequently in the production of vinyl products, primarily plasticized PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Calendering is popular because the thickness of the product can be set accurately and finish coatings or textures may be applied.
Usage Examples
One of the more common products manufactured using calendering is vinyl floor coverings, shown above on the left. Conveyor belts, shown on the right, are also produced using calendering.
Advantages
- Excellent control of product thickness
- Increases the strength of the material
- Allows any desired texture or pattern to be applied
Disadvantages
- High operating cost compared to other sheeting processes
- Low tolerances cause engineering problems
- Many mechanical parts may fail
Acknowledgements
- Armstrong World Industries, Lancaster, PA
- Lubrizol Co., Wickliffe, Ohio
References
- Chanda, Manas, and Salil K. Roy. Plastics Technology Handbook. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1998.
- Wilkes, James O., Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall PTR, 1999.
Developers
- Daniel Viaches
- Henry Chen
- Jackie Priestle