Innovations in Film Manufacture : Exemplified by Calender Technology

Calendering is an industrial process in which materials, especially plastics or rubber, are processed into thin layers or films by rolling. Plastic films play a major role as homopolymer films, as multilayer films, or as mixed films in the packaging industry as well as in technical and agricultural applications and are an integral part of our current value chain. This book present innovations and practical experiences in plastics processing using the example of the calendering process, which can also be used in other plastics technologies, such as extrusion, injection molding or coating. All calculation methods presented are applicable or can be transferred to other plastic technologies. Important topics covered include defect types, detection, and countermeasures; rheology and its application to optimized products; mathematical methods and software applications for film production; measurement technology; further film processing technologies; digitalization and Industry 4.0; recycling technologies; and future outlook. It is written by specialists in plastics technology, especially calendering technology, and is based on around 20 years of professional experience and scientific collaborations with international universities and research institutions.