Torque value evaluated by ultrasonic technique during polymer melting process

Abstract

The torque profile during the melting process of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) pellets in an internal mixer has been estimated by ultrasound. Improved factor analysis was utilized to evaluate the relationship between torque and ultrasonic parameters and to rebuild the torque profile. The estimated torque value had an agreement with the measured data within 11%, which means that the presented ultrasonic measurement contained the same information as the torque measurement, namely viscosity. Therefore, the presented ultrasonic technique and evaluating method might be an optional approach to diagnose the melting process of polymer in the internal mixer and estimate the torque profile.