Inline Viscosity Measurement on Plastics Extrusion Machinery 

Sofraser (France) launches a new vibrating inline process viscometer, Soflux, dedicated to the production, extrusion and injection of very high viscosity polymers. The Sofraser new inline viscometer measures the viscosity directly in the stream, with no derivation, and fits any molten polymer extrusion die, thus providing a revolution into high viscosity plastic extrusion process control.

Controlling inline the viscosity of the melted polymer before the extrusion die is the ideal solution to bring precious process information in order to set up and adjust the optimum extrusion parameters, and consequently realise process savings in material, labor, time and money. 

In order to be installed in the harsh environment of the extruder (very high viscosities around 1,000,000 mPa.s and more, high pressures and high temperatures), the sensor’s shape has been designed to facilitate the fluid’s flow inside the pipe.

The installation of the Soflux viscometer on the extruder can be adjusted thanks to a connecting part customised to the extruder’s dimensions which ensures ease-of-insertion before the extrusion die. Attached with a clamp, the viscosity sensor can easily be mounted and dismounted from the extruder. Moreover, the connecting part includes a heating system, allowing maintaining the temperature of very high viscosity fluids for their viscosity measurement.