As the term implies, co-extrusion refers to the process of extruding two different materials at the same time – both of which are then used to form one final, unique product. Tri-extrusion takes things one step further, adding in a third material to a single profile.
At Spiratex, we’ve been offering co-extrusion, tri-extrusion, and other custom plastic extrusion solutions to clients for over 70 years and are honored for the opportunity to do the same for you, too.
Why Co-Extrusion and Tri-Extrusion Matter
Regardless of whether you’re talking about co-extrusion or tri-extrusion, both processes offer the distinct advantage of being an excellent way to combine much-needed properties from different materials into a single application.
You can combine not only mechanical properties but factors like thermal resistance, moisture resistance, oxygen resistance, and more – all for a custom solution that performs exactly the way you need it to be given the application.
Co-extrusion and tri-extrusion are also great ways to save money on a project, as you can always use a less expensive polymer in non-essential areas of a custom profile. You can also use recycled materials for large portions of your project while still arriving at the high value, high performance finished product you can depend on.
One of the major advantages of the tri-extrusion process in particular is that it can make up for certain limitations that are inherent to the co-extrusion process. Some types of plastics simply do not mesh well together due to, among other factors, improper adhesion.
With tri-extrusion, you can solve this by adding in another layer to the original two in order to fill in some of the gaps left behind. Some plastics might have different melting temperatures, but you still need to use them due to other properties they bring with them. Tri-extrusion can help make sure that there are no long-term issues due to extreme temperature changes with the finished component.
Tri-extrusion also allows you to combine different colored plastics into a single extruded plastic profile.
Spiratex: Your Partner in Custom Plastic Extrusion
So which is right for your next project, co-extrusion or tri-extrusion? The answer, as always, is “it depends.”
You should never start with the process and hope it meets the needs of your application. You need to start with the end application and rigid requirements and work your way back to the process that helps you accomplish your goals. At Spiratex, we act as a trusted partner to many organizations, helping them understand their options and the pros and cons of each method. That way, we can come up with a custom plastic extrusion solution that is tailor-made with your business in mind – exactly the way it should be.
If you’d like to find out more information about our co-extrusion and tri-extrusion solutions, or if you’re eager to start your next big project and would like to speak to someone at length, please don’t hesitate to contact Spiratex today.
