Page 73 - Plastics News July 2024

PRODUCT NEWS

Peak Performance Compounding develops

micro-pellet technology

Due to equipment constraints and small-part
configurations, manufacturing plastic com-
ponents that are small in size often results in
dispersion concerns and processing challeng-
es. To mitigate these potential issues, PEAK
Performance Compounding (PEAK) has devel- tive additives, and lubricants. Because the pellets
oped the ability to produce high-quality micro- are smaller and more easily dispersed, the result
pellets that aid in the manufacturing of micro- is a more homogenous blend after additives and
sized products for a wide variety of industries colours are introduced. With larger granules, some-
and applications. times the consistency can be compromised, leading
to colour inconsistencies and filler pockets on the
surface of the part, resulting in costly rejection lev-
els.
PEAK has been involved in several design-of-ex-
anufacturers of micro-parts often struggle periments with injection moulders and extrusion
with colour dispersion, additive dispersion, processors to confirm the success of these micro-
Mand product consistency, due to the size pellets in a range of applications, including thin-wall
of the equipment and the small design of the parts medical device tubing and extra-small moulded
being produced. Additionally, the use of extra-small components, such as those used in electrical, con-
extruders and micro-moulding machines often re- sumer, and industrial products. “These micro-pellets
sults in material feeding challenges and equipment enable automated injection moulding and continu-
clogs, specifically when standard pellets (approxi- ous extrusion, free from clogs,” reports Todd March-
mately 3.0mm in size) are used. and, president of PEAK. “Customers have reported a
PEAK has developed a proprietary compounding substantial increase in production yields and a sig-
and post-blending process that produces homo- nificant reduction in rejects due to these processing
geneous sub-1.0mm micro-pellets to aid in feeding improvements.” Additional improvements in filler,
and dispersion. This proprietary process involves additive, and colour were reported. These contrib-
precise control over the pelletisation phase, ensur- ute to a reduction in overall production costs and
ing each pellet is consistently small, thereby enhanc- manufacturing flexibility for next generation prod-
ing the overall homogeneity of the final product. ucts.
Unlike standard pellet production, this method in- PEAK is continually innovating and is working to of-
cludes additional steps in the material blending and fer spherical, underwater micro-pelletisation in the
screening phases to ensure uniformity in size and future. Currently, strand cut is the primary offering,
composition, which is crucial for small-part manu- but customers can expect ongoing advancements
facturing. in micro-pellet technology as PEAK continues to re-

Pellets of this size have been proven to enhance the fine and expand its capabilities.
quality of micro-sized products by improving the Source – Medical Plastics News
dispersion of pigments, radiopaque fillers, conduc-

July 2024 PLASTICS NEWS 75