--- title: Friction & Maintaining Output of Your Single Screw Extruder description: Learn about the importance of keeping your single screw extruder clean to ensure efficency and higher output by using purging compounds in extrusion. image: https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/This%20image%20depicts%20someone%20drawing%20a%20arrow%20going%20up%20from%20left%20to%20right%20indicating%20increases-1.jpeg --- [ 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/friction-and-maintaining-output-of-your-single-screw-extruder#subscribe-modal) ### Suscribirse Troubleshooting / 3 min read / October 18, 2017 # Friction & Maintaining Output of Your Single Screw Extruder - [Facebook Share ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Ffriction-and-maintaining-output-of-your-single-screw-extruder) - [Twitter Tweet ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Ffriction-and-maintaining-output-of-your-single-screw-extruder&text=Friction+%26amp%3B+Maintaining+Output+of+Your+Single+Screw+Extruder) - [LinkedIn Share ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Ffriction-and-maintaining-output-of-your-single-screw-extruder&title=Friction%20%26amp%3B%20Maintaining%20Output%20of%20Your%20Single%20Screw%20Extruder&summary=Learn+about+the+importance+of+keeping+your+single+screw+extruder+clean+to+ensure+efficency+and+higher+output+by+using+purging+compounds+in+extrusion.&source=) - [Pinterest Pin ](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Ffriction-and-maintaining-output-of-your-single-screw-extruder) - [Email Email ](mailto:?subject=Friction%20%26amp%3B%20Maintaining%20Output%20of%20Your%20Single%20Screw%20Extruder&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Ffriction-and-maintaining-output-of-your-single-screw-extruder) ![Friction & Maintaining Output of Your Single Screw Extruder](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/This%20image%20depicts%20someone%20drawing%20a%20arrow%20going%20up%20from%20left%20to%20right%20indicating%20increases-1.jpeg?width=640&height=500&name=This%20image%20depicts%20someone%20drawing%20a%20arrow%20going%20up%20from%20left%20to%20right%20indicating%20increases-1.jpeg) [![3_Ways_A_Preventative_Purging_Process_Improves_Operations.jpg](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3_Ways_A_Preventative_Purging_Process_Improves_Operations.jpg?width=320&name=3_Ways_A_Preventative_Purging_Process_Improves_Operations.jpg) ](https://www.brabender.com/en/food/products/extruder/single-screw-extruder/single-screw-extruder-test-extrusion-properties-of-various-materials/) The single screw extruder is the workhorse for many extrusion processors. It is relied upon daily to keep pumping out the extruded plastic products. They lead the way for those on time shipments to meet your hard-earned customer demand. Therefore, it is important for extrusion processors to consider and maintain their extruder’s output. First, this requires an understanding of material conveyance within these machines. Here surface friction plays an important role. Having high friction along the barrel and low friction along the rotating screw allows for forward material motion. Under these conditions, the polymer slips past and over the screw (rather than rotating with it). This further melts and mixes along at each zone. It then exits the barrel at an output rate to support the required line speed. Please also consider your grooved barrel feed sections, and highly-polished, low friction coated extruder screws. They supplement opposing frictional forces, providing for more consistent extruder output and improved metering of materials. Negatively altering the required friction characteristics will also have a direct effect on extruder output. It is possible to lose output and ultimately lose operating efficiency over time. As residue builds up, a layering effect on surfaces can set in. Left unchecked, this is a progressively worsening condition. It can vary from everything from material hang up or wrap, all the way up to a total loss of output. This happens because of improperly maintaining the screw and barrel surfaces. Simply put, overlooking or underestimating the need for a clean machine is costing you! This problem is especially common with dedicated extruders, where one material and color consistently runs. It often provides a false sense that there is no need to purge—because no “real” changeovers take place. But reduced extruder output and increased operating cost will quickly begin to erode any perceived savings with this notion. Under all extruder-operating circumstances, it is important to keep the condition of the extruder screw and barrel surfaces in mind. Having a clean machine, by including regular screw and barrel purging with a commercial purging compound, will keep your workhorse up and running at its best. Keep barrel friction high and screw friction low for optimum performance. That’s what it takes to maintain output of your single-screw extruder! **Learn about the importance of implementing proper purging procedures by downloading this free industry guide.** **** ** [![](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468726/interactive-161630774182.png) ](https://www.asaclean.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJlrEKJXAzSQHSMk9GM4DEjqbyGBJ4UY2U%2BJn2D3lreuu3bgE1UGNuMCenNMo6xxxcGu6E76yS3488PdnJuLfAI%2FRmqCoPzAedqFtm0BHTyGH75DGWFZMfGNFdci1g0eotc6VKbL920oCuXyGpU2%2FMFzal6dfi4qccIA4ZokCrGLyUpHC5vgHwTqblzwze%2BVj3dAPV0Qcn9B9OzbJlToUeRBtIytt3Oof%2FSGztiCJgT2VG8I8598qye&webInteractiveContentId=161630774182&portalId=468726) ** ** ** ![Yoko Tanaka](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Yoko%20Tanaka%20Headshot%203-25-16.jpg?width=150&name=Yoko%20Tanaka%20Headshot%203-25-16.jpg) #### [ Yoko Tanaka ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/yoko-tanaka) Yoko Tanaka is the Marketing Manager at Asaclean. She has been helping molders and extruders learn about Asaclean purging and how to improve their processes for the past eight years. - [Share On LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yokotanaka/) ## Related Posts [![Purging for Extrusion: Screw & Barrel vs. Downstream](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Header-extrusions%20screw%20vs%20downstream.jpg?width=450&height=250&name=Blog%20Header-extrusions%20screw%20vs%20downstream.jpg) Purging for Extrusion: Screw & Barrel vs. Downstream Chemical... / 4 min read / February 01, 2022 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/purging-for-extrusion-screw-barrel-vs.-downstream) [![](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sheet%20Die.png?width=450&height=250&name=Sheet%20Die.png) Purging Extrusion Sheet Applications & the Challenges with Hanger Dies Chemical... / 3 min read / March 23, 2021 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/purging-extrusion-sheet-applications-the-challenges-with-hanger-dies) ## Comments Get Started ## Ready to start improving your efficiency and increasing your profitability? - [Request a Consultation](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/friction-and-maintaining-output-of-your-single-screw-extruder#) - [Contact Sales](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/friction-and-maintaining-output-of-your-single-screw-extruder#) ![](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. [Request your free sample](https://offers.asaclean.com/en/free-sample?hsLang=en) ![](https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/assets/images/icons/icon-calculator.svg) #### Cost Savings Calculator Use our free calculator to see how much you could be saving with Asaclean® Purging Compounds. [See your savings](https://www.asaclean.com/cost-savings-calculator) [ Back to Top ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/friction-and-maintaining-output-of-your-single-screw-extruder#top) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Yoko Tanaka", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/yoko-tanaka" }, "dateModified" : "2025-07-08T17:19:06.873Z", "datePublished" : "2017-10-18T12:39:00.000Z", "headline" : "Friction & Maintaining Output of Your Single Screw Extruder", "image" : [ "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/This%20image%20depicts%20someone%20drawing%20a%20arrow%20going%20up%20from%20left%20to%20right%20indicating%20increases-1.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/friction-and-maintaining-output-of-your-single-screw-extruder", "@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" : "The single screw extruder is the workhorse for many extrusion processors. It is relied upon daily to keep pumping out the extruded plastic products. They lead the way for those on time shipments to meet your hard-earned customer demand. Therefore, it is important for extrusion processors to consider and maintain their extruder’s output.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Yoko Tanaka" }, "datePublished" : "October 18, 2017", "headline" : "Friction & Maintaining Output of Your Single Screw Extruder", "image" : "https://468726.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/468726/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/This%20image%20depicts%20someone%20drawing%20a%20arrow%20going%20up%20from%20left%20to%20right%20indicating%20increases-1.jpeg", "name" : "Friction & Maintaining Output of Your Single Screw Extruder", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/friction-and-maintaining-output-of-your-single-screw-extruder" } ```