We wish to emphasize safety in working with hot polymers and liquids that are under pressure, and recommend placing cardboard or other suitable material over the exits of the die and barrel vents.
CA250 becomes a liquid at 130-140°F and will remain a liquid above that temperature. This liquid is a plasticizer and if melting occurs before it is in the screw, slippage can occur.
We recommend that the screw speed be slowed to 10-15 rpms to reduce high pressure on this liquid/solids mixture.
CA250 can be used when cleaning the barrel and screw of burnt or carbonized material that may plug screen packs. Monitoring of back pressure at the slower screw speeds will reduce the chance of screen blockage, but should be controlled.
CA250, acting as a plasticizer, will reduce normal shear rate and shear stress, the motor load amperage will be significantly reduced.
First time use of CA250 will remove carbonized material from the barrel and screw which was previously unknown to exist. Cleaning each polymer/color change or on a preventative maintenance basis, will keep this build-up to a minimal.
After the purging is completed and before production speeds are resumed, a fresh screen pack should be installed.
The purged polymer/CA250 will contain contaminants such as burnt polymer and carbonized material and should not be salvaged for reuse.
CA250 is safe for use as a purge in process equipment used for food packaging products.
CA250 will generate a white smoke when it exits the die and is classified as nontoxic.
Estimated cost of cleaning a 4½” extruder and die of most thermoplastics will be $10-$15 (1-2 pounds of CA250).
When a screw removal or die tear-down is necessary, CA250 will reduce clean-up time as the polymer in the equipment will not adhere to the metal surfaces.
One time use of CA250 may not totally remove all carbonized polymer. When used with a preventative maintenance program, it will reduce production downtime and contaminated polymer.
CA250 will separate hot polymer from die surfaces, reducing the need for manual cleaning that can damage these critical flow surfaces and seal faces.
CA250 will burn at elevated temperatures (500°F) similar to candle wax.
A SDS is available upon request.
CA250 contains no abrasives that can damage polymer flow surfaces.
CA250 has no known chemical reactions with all types of metals.
CA250 has been used as a dynamic dispersion aid in manufacturing of color concentrates, and fillers that are highly loaded.
