Friction and pressure within the cavity of the twin screw extruder serve to produce extra heat that is independent of the heaters. Sometimes, the pressure and friction inside the cavity produces so much heat that the heaters may be shut off. When this happens, the desired temperature is maintained by the friction and pressure. Cooling fans are also employed frequently, helping to keep the plastic screw extrusion cavity at the desired temperature.
When the molten plastic reaches the front of the barrel, it moves away from the screw and journeys through a special screen designed to filter contaminants from the plastic. The molten plastic then moves into a die. The die is responsible for giving the molten plastic its profile. The plastic must then be cooled, often by a sealed-water bath; care must be taken to prevent the collapse of the newly formed product in its still molten state. Plastic sheeting and certain other products are cooled by special cooling rolls, instead of water baths.
After cooling, the product is spooled, coiled, or cut to length. In addition to plastics, a variety of other materials may be extruded. Aluminum and rubber are examples of materials that can be extruded. Even clay and certain types of foods may be extruded. However, the process used may differ from that employed for the purpose of plastic single screw extrusion.