Measurement of three‐dimensional velocity field in the translational region of a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder

The velocity field in the screw channels of a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder was measured using laser Doppler anemometry. Velocity distributions were measured for two screw elements having pitches of 14 and 28 mm, respectively. The magnitude of radial velocity component for both elements was no more than 10% of the magnitude of total velocity. The radial and the axial velocity components were similar for both screw elements. Wider range of tangential velocity values and steeper gradients near the flights were observed for smaller pitch screw element.