Abstract: A screw extruder comprises a barrel including a section that is supported for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the barrel. A screw extends and is supported for rotation in the barrel; and, in use, rotation of the screw rotates and advances plastic material through the barrel. Rotation of the screw also causes the rotatable barrel section to rotate, and a brake is connected to that rotatable section to maintain the rotational speed of the rotatable section less than the rotational speed of the extruder screw. The rotational speed of the screw relative to the rotatable barrel section controls the relative rates at which plastic is mixed, heated, and pressurized in the barrel.