One of the largest materials markets in the world is Plastics and -these applications require the use of a wide variety of Polymers. The global polymer market was valued at $533.6 Billion USD in 2019 and is projected to have a compound annual growth rate of 5.1% to 2030. Currently the size reduction of polymers is limited by several constraints including heat generation and the ability to control particle top size. The current state-of-the-art systems includes impact or attrition mills followed by screening decks to control particle top size. These classification devices are limited by the screen size that will allow significant throughput without blinding. Typically, screening is done at 50-60 MESH and the very top end particle size that can be efficiently screened is approximately 80 MESH or 180 µm. Heat sensitive polymers can also be processed using liquid nitrogen for cooling the product.

Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems has designed and installed a new system specifically for the size reduction of heat sensitive polymeric materials. The system incorporates state-of-the-art milling and classification equipment and controls allowing for the grinding and classification of a wide range of materials in both fine and coarse applications. The system can be operated under cryogenic or ambient conditions which adds to its flexibility and can be used with a counter rotating pin mill or attrition type mill depending on the final particle size requirements. An integrated air classification system will improve material capacity, efficiency and cut point for finer applications where mechanical screening is not practical.

This new system will allow our customers to experience a multi- functional processing center with an abundance of flexibility to handle many materials and applications.  The new system will allow us to effectively and efficiently fine grind and classify polymer materials for applications such as 3D printing, medical device manufacturing and many of the engineered resins that are now used throughout the industry for specialty applications.

To learn more about this system, download our Polymer Processing Brochure and contact our experts today.