Abstract: A slot die for producing webs of a foamed plastics material, into which die plastics material which has been plasticized under elevated pressure in an extruder and charged with a blowing agent enters, and through the die gap of which the plastics material is extruded by foaming. The die gap is formed by a pair of rollers mounted in a laterally sealed manner in the slot die. This achieves the effect that an advantageous formation of outer layers already occurs ahead of the die gap before the start of foaming.

Abstract: A melt-sealing device for extruders for thermoplastic polymers or rubber for sealing off the gear unit side against high-melt pressure, in which sealing is effected by the configuration of the extruder screw which includes an intake section, a compression section having a channel depth that decreases in the conveying direction, a metering section with a constant screw channel depth, a smooth annular melt channel section, and a blister element with an annular gap for the sealing melt.

Abstract: A method of extruding a foamed thermoplastic plastics material wherein the plastics material and a pore regulating agent are fed into an extruder and are fused in a fusion zone. The pressure of the fused material is augmented in a further zone and the material is then caused to flow past or through an obstruction so as to be converted into the form of thin layers or strands. Thereafter, steam and a propellant are sequentially injected into the fused mixture in injection zones. The steam is either saturated or superheated and has a temperature not lower than that of the mixture. The pressure of the mixture upstream of the obstruction is higher than the vapor pressure of the steam downstream of the obstruction. The pressure of the fused mixture and steam, while the propellant is being injected, is greater than the condensation pressure of the steam. The mixture is then cooled and discharged in a still further zone whereupon it foams.