Abstract: Reinforced composites containing cellulosic pulp fibers dispersed in a matrix, wherein the matrix comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material melting above 180° C. and the cellulosic pulp fibers have an alpha-cellulose purity greater than 80% by weight. Methods of making and using the reinforced composites.

Abstract: A process for producing an article of resin made from at least about 50% by weight of methyl methacrylate is provided, which comprises a step of melt-processing the resin with an extruder, wherein an oxygen concentration of a gaseous phase in a resin feed zone of the extruder falls within a range of from about 0.7% by volume to about 10% by volume. The article is excellent in curbing the coloring in melt processing.

Abstract: A process for producing solid creatine-containing dosage forms, wherein

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a powder coating composition, wherein 5-90% by weight of at least one monomeric compound selected from glycidyl group-containing unsaturated compounds and methylglycidyl group-containing unsaturated compounds is copolymerized with 95-10% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer in methanol to obtain a resin solution. The resin solution is spray-dried to obtain a powdery resin. Alternatively, the resin solution is fed to an extruder having a die and a plurality of vent ports and extruded through the die, while removing volatile matters through the vent ports, to obtain extrudates. The extrudates are pulverized to obtain a powdery resin.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a powder coating composition, wherein 5-90% by weight of at least one monomeric compound selected from glycidyl group-containing unsaturated compounds and methylglycidyl group-containing unsaturated compounds is copolymerized with 95-10% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer in methanol to obtain a resin solution. The resin solution is spray-dried to obtain a powdery resin. Alternatively, the resin solution is fed to an extruder having a die and a plurality of vent ports and extruded through the die, while removing volatile matters through the vent ports, to obtain extrudates. The extrudates are pulverized to obtain a powdery resin.

Abstract: An artificial turf that includes a first face yarn, a second face yarn, and a stitch-in yarn. The second face yarn is textured in some embodiments, for at least the reason of creating a zone such as a textured zone. A knot is formed by knitting the first face yarn, the second face yarn, and the stitch-in yarn together. A row of knots is also formed in this manner. A backing is formed when a lay-in yarn is extended between at least two rows of the knots and knitted to hold the at least two rows of knots together. A coating is coupled to the backing to prevent, among other things, detachment of the yarns after extended use of the artificial turf. An underlayment is positioned beneath the backing such that a stable base is provided for the artificial turf.

Abstract: An industrial precursor suitable for making resilient construction materials for use in interior and exterior applications is produced by homogenizing a glassy material together with a plasticizer and suitable solvent. The homogenized material is extruded, dried, and ground into pellets. The industrial precursor may be stored indefinitely, and is processed into construction materials by packing the industrial precursor into a heat-resistant mold, and thermally treating the industrial precursor to sinter it into a construction material having a substantially defect-free surface and strong tensile strength.

Abstract: A printable tape of a thermoplastic material for use in cash registers to improve the efficiency of the check out process and enhance the post consumer recyclability of the plastic bags used by the stores. The tape comprises a thermoplastic material, typically polyethylene or polypropylene, a pigment to provide sufficient opacity such that printing on the printable media is readable and a sufficient amount of a matting agent to improve the printability of the printable media.

Abstract: Disclosed are polyester pellets made of a polyester which comprises dicarboxylic acid constituent units derived from dicarboxylic acids containing terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid and diol constituent units derived from diols containing ethylene glycol and 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene, and which has the properties: constituent units derived from terephthalic acid are 15 to 99.5 % by mol and constituent units derived from isophthalic acid are 0.5 to 85 % by mol, both based on the total amount of dicarboxylic acid isophthalic acid constituent units (i); constituent units derived from ethylene glycol are 25 to 99.5 % by mol and constituent units derived from 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene are 0.5 to 75 % by mol, both based on the total amount of the diol constituent units (ii); the intrinsic viscosity is in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 dl/g; and the melting point (Tm (° C.)), as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter, satisfies the formula [1/527-0.

Abstract: A non-tower process for preparing a granular detergent composition having a low density of less than 600 g/l is provided. The process comprises the steps of: (a) mixing an anionic surfactant paste comprising from about 35% to about 85% anionic surfactant and from about 15% to about 65% water with a sufficient amount of a particulate water absorbing material to form a solid mass having a penetration value of from about 75 gf to about 4,000 gf, then (b) agglomerating the solid mass from step (a) and an amount of one or more other detergent ingredients in a mixer so as to produce agglomerates having an anionic surfactant content of from about 12% to about 60%.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer/wood fiber composite structural members that can be manufactured in an extrusion process engineered to produce the highest quality materials. The composite can be in a linear extrudate or pellet and can have a cross-section of any arbitrary shape, or can be a regular-geometric or of arbitrary-amorphous shape. The extruded material comprises a consistent proportion of polymer, wood fiber and water. During the extrusion, water is removed intentionally to dry the material to a maximum water content of less than about 10 wt-% based on the pellet weight. To make a structural unit, the pellet is introduced into an extruder apparatus wherein, under conditions of controlled mass throughput, shear, mechanical energy input, controlled temperature and pressure, the composite material is produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for making extruded granules containing an agriculturally active ingredient.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a colored fine particulate composition by dissolving or dispersing a coloring matter or a coloring matter and charge control agent in a condensation-polymerized resin component and forming the resultant resin composition into fine particles. The coloring matter or the coloring matter and charge control agent are added to a raw material component for the production of the resin component, or to the resin component in a period from initiation to completion of polymerization of the resin component or while the resin component is in a molten state subsequent to the completion of the polymerization, whereby the coloring matter or the coloring matter and charge control agent are dissolved or dispersed in the resulting resin component. A colored composition obtained subsequent to the dissolution or the dispersion is cooled. The colored composition so cooled is then formed into fine particles.

Abstract: Cyanuric chloride moldings, especially tablets and flakes, have advantages over powders in ease of handling. The moldings are produced by droplet or strip application of molten cyanuric chloride on to a surface and dissipation of the latent heat of fusion by cooling the surface or contacting the melt applied as droplets or strips with a cooling gas.

Abstract: There is provided a method which reduces fines while maintaining the bulk handling advantages of granular or particulate elastomers such as those produced in gas phase processes and which affords continuous bulk handling of synthetic rubbers or elastomers such as those produced in solution and/or suspension processes. The method comprises (1) feeding an crumb form elastomer or a granular elastomer which contains fines along with optionally one or more filler materials to a mixer/extruder where it is masticated and melted into a compound; (2) pumping the compound through an orifice of the mixer/extruder, and (3) cutting and forming the compound into shaped pellets ranging in size from about 0.5 to 30 mm.

Abstract: Controlled release, discrete, solid particles which contain an encapsulated and/or embedded component such as a heat sensitive destruction or readily oxidizable pharnaceutically, biologically, or nutritionally active component are continuously produced without substantial destruction of the matrix or encapsulant. A release-rate controlling component is incorporated into the matrix to control the rate of release the encapsulant from the particles. the additional component may be a hydrophobic component or a high water binding capacity component for extending the release time. The plasticizable matrix material, such as starch, is admixed with at least one plasticizer, such as water, and at least one release-rate controlling component under low shear mixing conditions to plasticize the plasticizable material without substantially destroying the at least one plasticizable material and to obtain a substantially homogeneous plasticized mass.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for producing an implantable polymer/drug matrix mass, comprising the steps of (1) forming a polymer solution/drug mixture comprising a polymer dissolved in an organic solvent and a suspended labile drug; (2) removing the solvent from the polymer solution/drug mixture, thereby forming a solid polymer/drug matrix; and (3) mechanically compressing the polymer/drug matrix, thereby forming an implantable polymer/drug matrix mass.

Abstract: A hydrocolloid product having improved dispersibility and wettability characteristics in aqueous medium is provided by dry blending in a heated state the hydrocolloid powder particles with molten, normally solid nonionic surfactant. The heated mixing state is at a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the solid nonionic surfactant. After suitable mixing, the resulting mixture of surfactant-coated powder particles is extruded to produce granules of the hydrocolloid-nonionic surfactant mixture, which granules are cooled to below the melting temperature of the nonionic surfactant to provide a readily water dispersible, readily wettable hydrocolloid product.

Abstract: A super-low temperature plastic powder manufacturing method for continuous production of thermo-plastic powder with granule sizes smaller than 10 microns. The method includes the steps of material melting wherein coarse granular thermo-plastic material is melted to form a plastic solution, high air pressure blowing for separation wherein high pressure air is injected to impact the plastic solution to cool and harden it gradually into micro-granules and to thereby reduce its adhesive strength, super-low temperature liquid nitrogen impacting for brittling wherein super low temperature liquid nitrogen is used to reduce the temperature of the plastic micro-granules, and low temperature calendaring. The reduced temperature greatly reduces elongation, impact strength, and fracture resistance of the plastic micro-granules for easier processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of lenticular tablets by melt calendering in which molding rolls with depressions in the shape of segments of an ellipsoid are used. The process according to the invention affords tablets which are easily deflashed and in which the tablet residue to be abraded when there is a displacement between the upper and lower half of the tablet is small.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an extrudate (e.g., water-dispersable extruded rod-shaped granules) from an extrudable powder-based material (e.g., a finely-divided water-insoluble powder) includes a hopper for the extrudable material having at least one extrusion aperture at its lower end, a rotatable extruder tool at or near the lower end of a first drive shaft for forcing the extrudable material through the aperture(s) and a rotatable feeder at or near a lower end of a second drive shaft for feeding the extrudable material to the extruder tool. The first drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the second drive shaft by axially displaced bearings, the second drive shaft being mounted within a fixed bearing housing by further axially displaced bearings. Drive motors are connected by respective drive trains to the upper ends of the first and second drive shafts, respectively.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for pelletizing a feed material containing finely divided solids and water by compressing the feed material in the die cavities of a pellet mill and permitting excess water to escape from the material being compressed through at least one water escape opening in each die cavity.

Abstract: A process for producing graphite materials for a negative electrode used in a lithium secondary battery which process includes the steps of packing carbon materials having an average particle diameter of 5 to 50 .mu.m in a plurality of boxes, placing the boxes in a graphitization furnace, subjecting the graphite materials to graphitization treatment, and thereafter subjecting the resultant graphite materials to uniformization treatment by mixing and agitation. The above process is capable of decreasing the influence on the qualitative variation of graphite materials ascribed to packing operation into boxes for graphitization, to the position of the materials in a graphitization furnace, and to bubbling phenomenon or the like through graphitization treatment, and is also capable of stabilizing the qualities of the resulting graphite materials and increasing the productivity.

Abstract: Methods for producing plastic scintillating material employing either two major steps (tumble-mix) or a single major step (inline-coloring or inline-doping). Using the two step method, the polymer pellets are mixed with silicone oil, and the mixture is then tumble mixed with the dopants necessary to yield the proper response from the scintillator material. The mixture is then placed in a compounder and compounded in an inert gas atmosphere. The resultant scintillator material is then extruded and pelletized or formed. When only a single step is employed, the polymer pellets and dopants are metered into an inline-coloring extruding system. The mixture is then processed under a inert gas atmosphere, usually argon or nitrogen, to form plastic scintillator material in the form of either scintillator pellets, for subsequent processing, or as material in the direct formation of the final scintillator shape or form.

Abstract: Preparation of secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate particles comprises admixing secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate surfactants with a deagglomerating agent such as zeolite or silica. The resulting powder is agglomerated with a nonionic surfactant, and formed into particles. The particles are then coated with a free-flow aid. Secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate particles treated in this manner have improved solubility characteristics for use in laundry detergents.

Abstract: A process for making a detergent component having a bulk density of at least 650 g/l, which comprises the steps of:(i) forming a structured paste comprising a uniform mixture of, by weight;(a) from 5% to 40% of water;(b) from 30% to 90% of an ingredient selected from the group consisting of anionic, zwitterionic, cationic, ampholytic and nonionic surfactant; water-soluble organic polymer; and mixtures thereof;(c) from 1% to 20% of water-soluble silicate salt;(d) at least 30% of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate;in a continuous process; wherein the maximum pressure reached in step (i) is not less than 10 bar; and (ii) subsequently dispersing said structured paste with one or more builders in powder form; in a high shear mixer at a tip speed of greater than 10 meters per second; wherein the ratio of the structured paste to the builder powder is from 9:1 to 1:5.

Abstract: In the underwater cut pellet transport apparatus in which pellets cut formed by an underwater cutting device 4 are delivered to a cooling water dehydrating device 10 and a drying device 11 by means of the head pressure of a cooling water circulating pump 6 and are dehydrated and dried there, and the thus dried pellets are then delivered to pellet silos 15 by means of the head pressure of an air feed blower 17 of a pneumatic feed facility, the above-mentioned cooling water dehydrating device 10 and drying device 11 are respectively disposed above the pellet silos 15, thereby eliminating the need for provision of the above-mentioned pneumatic feed facility.

Abstract: A method of recycling post-consumer polyester to obtain recycled polyester of sufficiently high purity to meet food packaging requirements is disclosed. The method includes cleaning comminuted pieces of post-consumer polyester to remove surface contaminants; melting the surface-cleaned post-consumer polyester pieces; extruding the post-consumer melt; blending the melt of post-consumer polyester with a melt of virgin polyester prepolymer; solidifying and pelletizing the blended melt while the virgin polyester prepolymer remains as prepolymer; and polymerizing the solid blended pellets in the solid state.

Abstract: A method of making a polypropylene product for use in making biaxially oriented films. The method includes the addition of an improved nucleating system that allows for even distribution of a nucleating agent in the polymer material. The improved nucleating system comprises a nucleating agent and a liquid miscible with the nucleating agent. The solution is combined with the polypropylene material, and the miscible liquid is removed during processing. The resulting films possess superior processing and material characteristics.

Abstract: The invention provides a polyolefin drug packaging material characterized in that the content, in the polyolefin, of substances containing 12 to 26 carbon atoms is not more than 150 ppm. The packaging material of the invention is useful because the risk of its reacting with and adversely affecting the drug packaged therewith is minimum.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new and innovative method of making the synthetic fiber containing the infrared energy powder. The present invention generally has three steps. The first step is mixing a quantity of the synthetic material with a quantity of the infrared energy powder to form a mixture of the synthetic material and the infrared energy powder. The second step is adding a quantity of silicon oil into the mixture of the synthetic material and the infrared energy powder to form a blend of ready to draw substance. The third step is drawing one or more strands of synthetic fiber containing the infrared energy powder from the blend of ready to draw substance. It is believed that the innovative use of the silicone oil holds together the infrared energy powder and the synthetic material better then other conventional methods. The silicone oil acts as an epoxy and also as a lubricant.

Abstract: A method of producing a cathode mixture for batteries is disclosed. It comprises supplying a wet mixture containing a cathode active material, a binding agent and a conductive material onto a disc having a horizontal surface and rotating around its vertical axis, moving the mixture along the upper and side surfaces of the disc to obtain spherical granules. A liquid mixture can also be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recycling waste resin products are disclosed in which a shearing force is produced from pulverized small pieces due to the rotation speed difference of rollers by making the small pieces pass between the rollers rotated at different speeds. The shearing force is applied to both sides of the small pieces at different magnitudes. Foreign material films are separated from the small pieces due to the shearing stress difference between the small pieces and the films coated thereon. Additionally, the small pieces are passed through a secondary pulverizer rotated at a high speed to be thereby pulverized secondarily into a predetermined size, whereby the foreign material films are completely separated from the small pieces.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing solid halogenated hydantoin products using the process of melt extrusion. The form of the products which can be produced includes tablets, briquettes, pucks, dispensers, "designer" forms such as Christmas ornaments, pellets, and granules. The halogenated hydantoin compounds used in the forms contain methylethylhydantoin or an admixture of methylethylhydantoin and dimethylhydantoin. The halogenated hydantoin compositions used to make the forms can also include additives such as solubility modifiers, compaction aids, fillers, surfactants, dyes, fragrances, dispersants, lubricants, mold releases, detergent builders, corrosion inhibitors, chelants, stabilizers, biocides, bromide sources, or oxidizing halogen compositions. The present invention is also the product which is made via the melt extrusion method. The invention also is a method of obtaining an improved feedstock via melt extrusion and the improved feedstock product.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel kind of aluminum laminally filled plastic pellets and a process and apparatus for manufacturing the plastic pellets. The process includes coating the upper and lower surfaces of each of the substantially parallel lined aluminum foil layers with a coupling agent; drying the aluminum foil layers; introducing a molten plastic matrix to the space between each two aluminum foil layers and the outer surfaces of the most outside two aluminum foil layers to moisturize and bind the aluminum foil layers; reducing the thickness of the aluminum foil layers to form a continuous laminally filled plastic composite plate; and cooling and cutting the composite plate into aluminum laminally filled plastic pellets of a predetermined size.

Abstract: A process for producing active substance compositions in the form of a solid solution of the active substance in a polymer matrix, which comprises melt extrusion of the active substance in nonionic form together with a polymer and a salt.

Abstract: A process for the extrusion of polyethylene having a broad molecular weight distribution wherein the polyethylene is prepared in pellet form, said extrusion taking place in a pelletizing extruder having one or more zones essentially filled with polyethylene and two or more zones partially filled with polyethylene including(i) introducing the polyethylene into the extruder at a temperature sufficient to melt the polyethylene; (ii) introducing a mixture of an inert gas and oxygen into each partially filled zone wherein the mixture contains about 1 to about 21 percent by volume oxygen based on the volume of the gaseous mixture; (iii) passing the molten polyethylene through each zone at melt temperature; and (iv) extruding the polyethylene into pellets and cooling same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing molded polyester articles having a low acetaldehyde content bya) reacting a glycol and a dicarboxylic acid in the melt phase to form a polyester having an I.V. of about 0.65-0.85,b) solidifying and pelletizing said polyester,c) remelting said polyester in an extruder, and,d) forming said polyester into shaped articles, wherein the polyester is devolatilized during or following said polymerization in the melt, while it is being remelted, after remelting, or any combination by passing a purge gas over said molten polyester.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing an article having high load absorption, durability and wear resistance properties with increased lubricity including mixing particles of polyurethane and polytetrafluoroethylene, extruding the mixture of polyurethane and polytetrafluoroethylene particles, reducing the extruded polyurethane/polytetrafluoroethylene product to particle form and molding the polyurethane/polytetrafluoroethylene extruded particles to form the article in a selected configuration.

Abstract: A method of forming a disk brake pad having a friction member composed of a bonding layer having a low porosity and a matrix layer having a high porosity and laminated on the bonding layer. The method does not require a pre-forming step. A material formed by pelletizing a mixture of components for the friction member and a non-pelletized material are fed one after the other into a cavity defined by a mold and a back plate. Also, since the pelletized material is compacted beforehand, the bonding layer formed from the pelletized material exhibits a sufficiently low porosity, so that the bonding layer can prevent moisture from infiltrating therethrough. Thus, the back plate is less likely to develop rust. Also, the bonding strength between the back plate and the bonding layer is improved. Further, since pelletized material forming the bonding layer penetrates into the matrix layer in a complicated manner, the bond strength between the bonding layer and the matrix is also improved.

Abstract: Medium modulus molded polyethylene materials with improved impact strength are made. The polyethylene material is molded to pipes, bars, and sheets. The molded material comprises high molecular weight linear polyethylene and a substantially linear ethylene/.alpha.-olefin interpolymer. The material is more than about 0.23 mm thick, has a density in the range of about 0.923 to about 0.95 grams/cubic centimeter (g/cc) and has an excellent impact resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of water-dispersible granules which comprises mixing the desired ingredients of the granules to form an extrudable composition, extruding the mixture, and rolling the extrusions to break them down into granules. The process of the invention is particularly suitable for the preparation of water-dispersible granules comprising agricultural chemicals (also known as dry flowables) as the process enables high production rates to be achieved and the products have high suspensibility and rapid dispersion.

Abstract: In a fiber composite plastic composed of plastic composition and fibers, the fibers have a pronounced fiber length distribution, in particular more than 50% by weight of the fibers have a length outside the range from 0.8.times.L to 1.2.times.L, where L is the mean (weight average) fiber length, and the mean fiber length is greater than the critical fiber length of the plastic composition/fiber system.

Abstract: For the extrusion of a calibrated profile of a thermoplastic polymer onto articles, the polymer, which is melted in an extruder (17), is fed, via a heated pressure hose (22), to an extruder head guided by a robot (5) and, by means of said extruder head, extruded and deposited on the article. At the end of each extrusion operation, the material flow to the extruder head is maintained and, by means of a change-over valve within the extruder head, redirected into an outlet orifice provided in the vicinity of the die orifice until the commencement of the subsequent extrusion operation. The redirected material flow emerges from a pipe connector (29) which is arranged on the extruder head and is coupled to a coupling piece (33). The material collected in this manner may be pelletized and fed back to the feed hopper (16) of the extruder (17).

Abstract: Spherical particles having a diameter between 0.007" and 0.040" are formed from melt extruded thermoplastic material suitable for casting on a heated mold surface and melting thereon to form a thin layer of material having a nominal thickness of 0.040" that is cooled and removed from the mold surface as a part having a porosity less than a visually observable threshold. The process includes the steps of providing microspheres formed of blended and melt extruded thermoplastic, plasticizers (if necessary) and pigment additives that constitute less than 5% by weight of the blend and shaped as a smooth round spherical particle. The microspheres may then be distributed as predetermined charge of such microspheres against the heated casting surface to melt the microspheres as a layer of thermoplastic material having a porosity less than 0.003 inches and thereafter cooling and removing the non-porous layer from the casting surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recycling previously used agricultural plastic film mulch in which the plastic film mulch is fed by a conveyor along a predetermined path of travel, while being agitated and shaken on the conveyor to dislodge and remove dirt and debris therefrom, shredding the plastic film mulch into discreet pieces in a shredder while removing additional dirt and debris therefrom, conveying the shredded plastic film mulch through a vertical separator along a second, tortuous path of travel, while drying the shredded plastic mulch by heated air and agitating the plastic film mulch by projections extending into the second path of travel to dislodge and remove still further dirt and debris therefrom, and extruding the cleaned and shredded plastic film mulch into a reusable form in an extruder, which melts the plastic film mulch, screens solids from the molten plastic, and extrudes the molten plastic into a reusable form, such as pellets.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing dense, free-flowing and non-caking alkali metal silicate-based particles which are heat expandable into lightweight particles of a spumiform character. Pursuant to the invention, one provides at a selected temperature a dilatant aqueous gel comprising an alkali metal silicate as the majority non-aqueous component, the silicate being present in the gel in a dissolved state; and the non-aqueous content of the gel being in the range of from about 38 to 65% (w/w). Shearing forces are imposed upon the gel which exceed the flow response characteristics of the gel, whereby the viscosity of the gel becomes sufficiently high to cause a discontinuity in the gel, resulting in disruption into discrete particles. The discrete particles are conditioned while being maintained as separate entities to thereby form a skin on the particles so that they will not agglomerate or coalesce with one another.

Abstract: A pellet mill for pelleting feed product, has a pelleting die with a plurality of extrusion holes for extruding the feed product; rollers, rotatable relative to the pelleting die, for forcing feed product through the extrusion holes; provision for intensively mixing and shearing the feed product before introducing the feed product to the pelleting die; and a device for positively conveying the feed product into the provision for intensively mixing and shearing.

Abstract: A method for the production of spherical granulated materials from powdered solids and the granulated materials produced by it are disclosed. The method is characterized in that the powdered solids are moistened, possibly together with the usual binders, flow agents and plasticizers for the compression of solids, by the addition of a corresponding quantity of liquid and mixing smoothly in a mixer; they are then compressed with a ring collar mill into cylindrical agglomerate and then rounded in a rounding unit with wrinkle washer. The granulated solids thus produced have a very narrow particle size distribution and are distinguished by good flowability and good dispersability, depending on process controls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in the context of a rotating conveying screw situated within a cylindrical housing which has an inlet port on one end of the cylinder and a discharge opening on the other end of the cylinder. A resistance plate is mounted transversely to the conveying screw near the discharge opening for corotation with the screw. The plate is mounted to define a discharge gap between the opening and the plate. A sleeve on the housing is employed to adjust the size of the gap between the plate and the opening. A process controller positions the sleeve by means of a pair of screw jacks. The controller adjusts the discharge gap width to maintain feed material temperature within a predetermined band. Alternatively the controller adjusts the discharge gap width and feed screw speed to maintain a predetermined specific energy input into the feed material. The helical screw is preferably supported at both ends by a bearing means.