1. Temperature: Must be appropriate and stable
Recommended range: Workshop temperature 10–35°C; ideally maintained between 20–30°C.
Reason: Too low a temperature will cause the PPR raw material to become brittle and hinder smooth feeding, requiring more energy consumption in the heating section; too high a temperature will affect the cooling and shaping effect, potentially leading to unstable pipe dimensions.
Requirements: Avoid direct sunlight on the equipment or air conditioning vents blowing directly onto the mold/calibration sleeve; local temperature differences should not be too great.
2. Humidity: Must be dry and moisture-proof
Recommended range: Relative humidity ≤ 80%; the drier, the better.
Reason: Although PPR itself has extremely low moisture absorption (far lower than engineering plastics such as PA), if a significant amount of moisture is adsorbed on the surface (due to moisture accumulation), silver streaks and bubbles may still form during high-temperature melting, affecting both appearance and mechanical properties.
Requirements: Keep the raw material storage area dry; use the material as soon as possible after opening the package; recycled material must be dried before being mixed in.
3. Ventilation and Exhaust: Adequate and Compliant
Mandatory Requirements: Forced ventilation or local exhaust hoods must be installed to remove trace amounts of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and dust generated above the extruder die and hopper from the workshop.
Emissions Standards: Must comply with local environmental regulations (e.g., GB 31572 or local standards). Generally, emissions must be discharged at a high elevation after simple treatment such as activated carbon adsorption or UV photolysis.
On-Site Observation: There should be no noticeable irritating odors or "plastic smell" inside the workshop; otherwise, this indicates insufficient ventilation or treatment capacity.
4. Cleanliness and Space: Must Be Tidy and Uncluttered
Floors: Keep the floor level, free of oil stains, standing water, and dust to prevent contaminants from mixing into the pipes or causing slipping accidents.
Raw Material and Recycled Material Areas: These should be appropriately isolated from the extruder operating area to prevent dust from becoming airborne; the recycled material shredder should ideally be housed in a separate compartment or equipped with a dust collection system.
Aisles: Equipment layout should allow for at least 1 meter of space for operation and maintenance, ensuring smooth material handling and compliance with fire safety requirements.
5. Safety Precautions: Avoid Potential Hazards
Fire Safety: PPR is a combustible material; open flames are prohibited in the workshop. Electrical panels and wiring must be explosion-proof or inspected for aging, and fire extinguishers must be provided.
Anti-static Measures: Static electricity generated during the conveyance of PPR pellets can attract dust; hoppers and feed pipes should be grounded.
Noise: The extruder itself does not produce significant noise (generally below 75 dB), but the shredder generates higher noise levels. It is recommended to install a soundproof enclosure around the shredder or to schedule its operation during separate time slots or in a designated area.