Removing Iron Contamination from Plastics & Chemical Processing
At a Glance
Metal contamination removal in plastic pellets and resins uses a magnetic grill positioned above the hopper before material reaches an extruder or injection moulding screw, and inline magnetic filters for liquid chemicals and solvents.
Metal contamination in plastic pellets and resins is removed with a magnetic grill positioned directly above the hopper, before material reaches an extruder or injection moulding screw, and inline magnetic filters handle liquid chemicals and solvents the same way. A single tramp metal fragment reaching an extruder screw or barrel can cause serious, expensive damage. Below is which equipment fits which part of your line.
Why It Matters
- Extruder and screw damage, a single piece of tramp metal in the feed can score or seize an extruder screw and barrel, a costly and slow repair.
- Molded part quality, metal contamination reaching the final part is a defect and rejection risk, especially in precision or cosmetic applications.
- Liquid process purity, chemicals and solvents carrying iron contamination can affect downstream product quality and equipment.
Which Equipment Fits Your Line
Magnetic Grill / Drawer Type Magnetic Grill, mounted directly above a hopper or feed throat, catching tramp metal in plastic pellets and resin before it reaches the extruder or moulding machine.
Magnetic Filter, an inline pipeline filter for liquid chemicals and solvents, pulling ferrous particles down to 10 microns out of the flow.
Magnetic Roller Separator, for granular plastic regrind or chemical raw material moving on a conveyor ahead of processing, capturing tramp metal continuously at the head pulley.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove metal contamination while manufacturing plastic products?
Mount a Magnetic Grill directly above the hopper or feed throat, catching tramp metal in pellets and resin before it reaches the extruder or moulding machine.
Why is metal contamination dangerous for plastic extruders?
A single piece of tramp metal passing through an extruder screw and barrel can score or seize the equipment, a repair that's both expensive and causes significant downtime.
Can this be installed directly above an existing hopper?
Yes, magnetic grills are typically positioned directly above the hopper or feed throat, ahead of where material enters the extruder or moulding machine.
Does this work for liquid chemicals as well as plastic pellets?
Yes, solid pellets and resins are covered by a magnetic grill, while liquid chemicals and solvents use an inline magnetic filter on the pipeline instead.
Do I need a magnetic separator or a metal detector for plastic pellets?
A magnetic grill removes ferrous contamination before it ever reaches the extruder, while a metal detector only flags contamination already in the material. Most plastics lines use a magnetic grill as the primary protection, since a single missed piece of tramp metal can damage the extruder screw.
What size contamination can be caught before it reaches the extruder?
Magnetic grills catch tramp metal fragments and fines in the feed stream; for liquid lines, the Magnetic Filter captures particles down to 10 microns.
Protecting an extruder, moulding line or chemical process from metal contamination? Enquire now and our engineering team will size the right solution.
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