--- title: 5 Tips for Processing Heat-Sensitive Resins in Sheet Extrusion description: Struggling with PVC degradation? Learn 5 expert tips to process heat-sensitive resins in sheet extrusion while reducing contamination and downtime. image: https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/Sheet%20Extrusion%20Blog.jpg --- [ Order Online ](https://asaclean.my.site.com/b2bstore) [ Free Sample ](https://offers.asaclean.com/free-sample) ## [ Asaclean Blog ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog) Browse by Topic " aerospace asaclean asaclean news Asaclean® benefits asahi kasei automotive Best Practices black specks blisters blow molding blown-film extrusion buyers caps and closures carbon contamination cast-film extrusion Chemical Purging Compounds clear applications Color Changeovers Company News compounding consumer products contamination Cost savings custom molders Customer Success Story decreasing scrap defects electronics Energy Efficiency EX Grade extruder cleaning Extrusion fillament glass filled Glitter Grade Selection HDPE High and Low Temp Changeovers hold a bubble Hot Runners Injection Molding Injection Molding Tips LDPE Lightweight automotive components LLDPE low residue maintenance Material Changeovers Mechanical Purging Compounds medical Melt Flow Index NPE 24 nylons on the fly packaging PCR PEEK Polypropylene Post Consumer Resins preventative preventative purging processing tips profile extrusion Purge Program purge programs Purge Training Purge Trial purging purging compounds purging concentrates purging procedures Purging Tips quality recycled resins residue issues scrap reduction Screw Pulls sheet extrusion shutdown and sealing start-up super engineering resins Sustainability Tech Day technical support training trials Troubleshooting Twin Screw twin screw extrusion two step purging U Grade ULTEM venting Viscosity webinars wire extrusion - 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[Twin Screw](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/twin-screw) - [twin screw extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/twin-screw-extrusion) - [two step purging](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/two-step-purging) - [U Grade](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/u-grade) - [ULTEM](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/ultem) - [venting](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/venting) - [Viscosity](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/viscosity) - [webinars](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/webinars) - [wire extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/wire-extrusion) [ Subscribe ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/5-tips-for-processing-heat-sensitive-resins-in-sheet-extrusion#subscribe-modal) ### Suscribirse Chemical Purging Compounds / 5 min read / May 12, 2020 # 5 Tips for Processing Heat-Sensitive Resins in Sheet Extrusion - [Facebook Share ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2F5-tips-for-processing-heat-sensitive-resins-in-sheet-extrusion) - 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It took them 8-12 hours (an entire shift) to complete a full teardown and clean out PVC before they could go into the next resin. PVC [sheet extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/process/sheet-extrusion) can be a bit of a tricky application.  Today we will look at 5 tips for processing heat-sensitive resins like PVC. **1.) Watch for Degradation and [Contamination](https://www.asaclean.com/solutions/carbon-contamination)** When processing heat-sensitive resins such as PVC or EVOH, there is always a great susceptibility to degradation.  These resins burn very easily It is important to control heats when processing because high temperatures will lead to burning, and cooler temperatures can lead to excessive shear. With less heat-sensitive materials, residual polymer left in the machine will degrade over a long period of time, but in the case of PVC, degradation will occur immediately. **2.) Heat-Sensitive Resins Tend to Have [Residue Issues](https://www.asaclean.com/solutions/residue-and-clear-resins)** In addition to the heat sensitivity, ingredients in low temp resins like the vinyl content in PVC and EVOH gives rise to a stickier residue which can also be problematic to remove. When processing these resins, it makes it extremely important to ensure all residue is cleaned out of the screw and barrel to avoid excessive degradation. **3.) Use Chemical Purging Compounds to Reduce These Factors** One solution to effectively cleaning these problematic resins is the use of a [chemical purging compound](https://www.asaclean.com/purging-products/asaclean-chemical-purging-grades/). We tried using a chemical purging compound using a 3-step process which would allow us to remove the PVC first AND then remove contamination without taking apart the machine. [Chemical purge compounds](https://www.asaclean.com/purging-products/asaclean-chemical-purging-grades/ncr-grade-purging-compound-formerly-supernova-regular/) contain foaming agents that are heat activated- these help to remove stubborn degradation and hard-to-remove residue, which is often experienced with PVC. To work effectively, the purge compound does require heat and containment so it is important to ensure we get the heat needed to clean well BUT without burning any residual resin that may still be inside the barrel. **4.) Flush Out the Heat-Sensitive Resin** Flush as much of the heat-sensitive resin out of the machine as you can by using any virgin resin stiffer than the incumbent resin.  At the trial, we used an HDPE to flush out as much PVC as possible. The chemical purge was then introduced. As soon as the purge was exiting the die, the screw speed was reduced to the minimum RPM and allowed to purge slowly. This ensured any residual PVC was emptied. **5.) Do Not Increase Heats Until You Are Sure the Heat-Sensitive Resin was Removed** It is important to perform the initial purge at the processing temperature of the resin. i.e. Do not increase heats inside the barrel until you are certain all the PVC has been removed. When working with the sheet extruder, once the first soak was complete, the temperature was increased in all sections. We subsequently had a second soak for an additional 15 minutes. By increasing heat, the foaming agents in the chemical purge are activated allowing them to remove contamination. Although some processors are wary of soak cycles, we hope you can look at the bigger picture here. The entire purge process took 1 hour and 45 minutes, leading to** over 80% reduced machine downtime. ** When it comes to heat-sensitive materials, extra steps do need to be taken, but they can be cleaned very effectively when using this approach.  **Ready to reduce your ****production downtime**** to protect your profits? Learn more about how ****purging compounds**** and process efficiency work in tandem.** ![Kiran Raza](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Head_Shots/Kiran%20Raza%20LinkedIn%20Headshot%204-14-16.jpg?width=150&name=Kiran%20Raza%20LinkedIn%20Headshot%204-14-16.jpg) #### [ Kiran Raza ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/kiran-raza) Kiran Raza is an Asaclean Purging Expert & Technical Sales Representative. She's worked in the plastics industry for nearly 20 years and has expertise In Bio-Medical Materials, Polymer Processing, and Materials Testing. ## Related Posts [![](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Specks%201.jpg?width=450&height=250&name=Specks%201.jpg) How to Reduce Gels & Black Specks in PE During Conversion Chemical... / 3 min read / January 16, 2020 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/how-to-reduce-gels-black-specks-in-pe-during-conversion) [![Reducing Machine Downtime is Key to Your Success](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Header-Reducing%20Machine%20Downtime.jpg?width=450&height=250&name=Blog%20Header-Reducing%20Machine%20Downtime.jpg) Reducing Machine Downtime Chemical... / 3 min read / September 13, 2019 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/reducing-machine-downtime) ## Comments Get Started ## Ready to start improving your efficiency and increasing your profitability? - [Request a Consultation](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/5-tips-for-processing-heat-sensitive-resins-in-sheet-extrusion#) - [Contact Sales](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/5-tips-for-processing-heat-sensitive-resins-in-sheet-extrusion#) ![](https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/assets/images/icons/icon-layers.svg) #### Free Sample Request a free sample of Asaclean® Purging Compounds for your plant and start saving today. 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[See your savings](https://www.asaclean.com/cost-savings-calculator) [ Back to Top ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/5-tips-for-processing-heat-sensitive-resins-in-sheet-extrusion#top) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kiran Raza", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/kiran-raza" }, "dateModified" : "2025-03-18T15:20:30.500Z", "datePublished" : "2020-05-12T17:28:21.000Z", "headline" : "5 Tips for Processing Heat-Sensitive Resins in Sheet Extrusion", "image" : [ "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/Sheet%20Extrusion%20Blog.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/5-tips-for-processing-heat-sensitive-resins-in-sheet-extrusion", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/Asaclean%20Logo%20TM.jpg" }, "name" : "Asahi Kasei Plastics North America" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "articleBody" : "Recently I performed a trial at a PVC sheet extruder who produces roofing. It took them 8-12 hours (an entire shift) to complete a full teardown and clean out PVC before they could go into the next resin. PVC sheet extrusion can be a bit of a tricky application. Today we will look at 5 tips for processing heat-sensitive resins like PVC. 1.) Watch for Degradation and Contamination When processing heat-sensitive resins such as PVC or EVOH, there is always a great susceptibility to degradation. These resins burn very easily It is important to control heats when processing because high temperatures will lead to burning, and cooler temperatures can lead to excessive shear. With less heat-sensitive materials, residual polymer left in the machine will degrade over a long period of time, but in the case of PVC, degradation will occur immediately.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kiran Raza" }, "datePublished" : "May 12, 2020", "headline" : "5 Tips for Processing Heat-Sensitive Resins in Sheet Extrusion", "image" : "https://468726.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/468726/Sheet%20Extrusion%20Blog.jpg", "name" : "5 Tips for Processing Heat-Sensitive Resins in Sheet Extrusion", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/5-tips-for-processing-heat-sensitive-resins-in-sheet-extrusion" } ```