Extrusion
The Importance of Plastic Extrusion
Plastic extrusion is a high-efficiency, continuous process widely used to produce everything from pipes and profiles to films, sheets, and insulation. It plays a critical role across industries such as construction, packaging, automotive, and electrical.
Its benefits include:
• Continuous, high-volume production
• Custom-shaped profiles with minimal material waste
• Consistent dimensional control
• Broad use of polymer types and additives
Why Extrusion Tool Steel Selection Matters
Extrusion tools, such as dies, screws, and adapters, are exposed to intense mechanical and thermal stress. The choice of the appropriate tool steel significantly affects: • The tool’s lifespan and wear resistance • Dimensional accuracy and stability • The surface quality of the extruded products • Corrosion resistance and thermal fatigue • Maintenance intervals and overall production efficiency
What Makes an Excellent Extrusion Tool Steel?
Whether coming from Uddeholm or BÖHLER, the tool steels for extrusion must provide long-term performance under difficult operating conditions. The critical properties include:
• Wear resistance to withstand abrasive fillers and fiber-reinforced plastics
• Corrosion resistance for aggressive polymers like PVC or halogenated compounds
• High toughness to avoid cracking under high-pressure extrusion
• Hardness retention at elevated temperatures (up to ~400°C)
• Thermal fatigue resistance for repeated heating and cooling cycles
• Dimensional stability to maintain tight tolerances in long production runs
Available in large dimensions and customized formats to suit a wide range of extrusion tooling needs.