Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is among the most common synthetic plastic polymers worldwide, with nearly 40 million tons generated daily. It is frequently used for making cables, wires, pipes, and bottles and also has applications in healthcare, construction, automotive, and other industries across the country. Most factories use a PVC extrusion machine to make PVC products. This machine pushes the PVC material through dies or molds to give it the desired shape.

Working procedure
PVC extrusion machines typically comprise a transmission system, a screw and a barrel, a crosshead, an automatic hopper dryer, and a vacuum loader.

• PVC granules, or small PVC pellets, are first dried or pre-dried, as required, before being used.
• These granules are then fed into the hopper, which drops them on a rotating screw. The rotating screw pushes the PVC material ahead through a heated barrel, melting it.
• The melted plastic material is then pushed through a screen pack and, finally, a shaped die, which molds the product into its final shape.
• The extruded product is pulled out and cooled down.

It is important to know that there are different types of extrusion machines, each with a slightly different working mechanism. The most common are single-screw, twin- or multiple-screw, and ram extruders. Businesses can choose a type depending on their needs. For PVC resin materials, the twin-screw design is ideal, as it entails less melting and plasticization times and reduced energy use.

Common uses
PVC extrusion machines are used in several industries to manufacture different products.

• Wires and cables
  The machine helps make sturdy PVC wires and cables that are commonly used in many industries and residential areas. Wires and cables made of this material are easy to maintain, malleable, environment-friendly, durable, and temperature-resistant.
• Pipes
  PVC-extruded pipes are cheaper than conventional metal and other pipes, which makes them quite popular. Being lighter, they are also easy to install and transport. Plus, they are highly durable and leak-proof.
• Healthcare
  PVC products are widely used to manufacture peristaltic pumps, tubes, dialysis solutions, blood bags, and masks for healthcare establishments. The material is highly durable and resistant to scratches, tears, and cracks, making it suitable for repeated use in hospital settings.
• Construction
  PVC extrusion machines help make PVC window profiles, door frames, deck railings, and roofing and plumbing components. It is preferred in construction because of its durability, weather resistance, and thermal insulation.
• Food and beverage
  Quality packaging is important for safely storing and transporting foods and beverages. Since PVC is sturdy and resilient, it is used to manufacture various packaging products, including plastic bottles, food-covering sheets, and cartons. The food and beverage industry uses it to pack various food products, such as cheeses, meat, and confectioneries.
• Cosmetics and fashion
  Since PVC is resistant to oil, grease, high temperatures, and chemicals, it is ideal for packaging shampoos, oils, and cosmetics. This makes it an indispensable part of product packaging for the cosmetics, skincare, and fashion industries.
• Automobile
  Bumpers, outer panels of tailgates, door handles, and various other vital vehicle components are typically made of PVC-extruded plastic. This material strikes the perfect balance between durability and esthetics.

Benefits
PVC extrusion machines offer many benefits, making them popular.

• Energy-efficient
  By extracting PVC through extrusion machines, businesses can conserve energy and facilitate environment-friendly packaging. PVC products, including pipes, bottles, tubes, and cartons, are leak-proof and corrosion-resistant. Also, the rate of PVC breakage is merely 1% of the breakage rate of cast metal.
• Affordable
  Since PVC is lighter than metal and many other materials, it is easy to store and transport. It is also easy to maintain and install, significantly reducing business costs.
• Durable
  Another reason most industries prefer raw materials and packaging items manufactured through PVC extrusion is that they last a long time. This is mainly because they are resistant to corrosion, rusting, leakages, etc.
• Flexible
  PVC wires and cables are easily malleable and can be molded into various shapes, fulfilling the packaging requirements of different businesses.
• Safe
  Safety is one of the key considerations one has to make w hen choosing materials to manufacture healthcare products. PVC is a safe, tried-and-tested material examined by international healthcare and environmental authorities. It also ensures chemical stability, making it a reliable packaging product in the healthcare sector.

A PVC extrusion machine can cost between $7,000 and $80,000, depending on its size, type, and features. One should compare multiple options, buy the machine from reputed dealers, and test it beforehand to get the most out of their investment.