PEKUTHERM® ULT: Ultra-Low-Temperature Mechanical Purging for Injection Molding
- UniTemp
- Mar 5
- 4 min read
Plastic injection molding operations frequently encounter one persistent challenge: cleaning machines effectively at lower processing temperatures without increasing downtime or risking contamination.
Many purging compounds perform well at standard or high temperatures but struggle when processors run low-temperature materials such as PVC, EVA, silicone, or specialty elastomers. At these temperatures, degraded polymers and color contamination can accumulate inside the screw and barrel, creating longer changeovers and inconsistent production quality.
PEKUTHERM® ULT was engineered specifically to solve this problem.
PEKUTHERM® ULT is a mechanical purging compound designed to operate across ultra-low temperature processing ranges while maintaining effective cleaning performance through thermoelastic physical action.
Trusted in continuous production use since 1985, PEKUTHERM® purging compounds help plastic processors reduce downtime, minimize scrap, and maintain cleaner injection molding equipment.
What Is PEKUTHERM® ULT?
PEKUTHERM® ULT is an ultra-low-temperature mechanical purging compound designed for plastic injection molding machines operating in processing ranges as low as:
175°F – 625°F (79°C – 330°C)
Unlike chemical purging systems or carrier-resin blends, PEKUTHERM® ULT works through a thermoelastic mechanical cleaning mechanism.
During processing, the material softens to a pencil-eraser-like consistency, allowing it to:
• Self-adhere within the screw channel
• Form a mechanical purge plug
• Soft-scour contaminated metal surfaces
• Capture degraded polymers and residues
• Exit the machine without leaving carrier resin contamination
This mechanical action removes contamination while preserving the integrity of the machine’s screw and barrel.
Why Ultra-Low Temperature Purging Matters
Low-temperature materials often create unique processing challenges.
Some materials degrade easily, while others leave stubborn residues that are difficult to remove without pulling the screw or running large amounts of purge material.
Typical low-temperature processing materials include:
Silicone rubber
EPDM rubber
PVC
EVA
Specialty elastomers
Flexible engineering polymers
When machines process these materials, contamination buildup can lead to:
• color streaking
• inconsistent parts
• longer material changeovers
• excessive startup scrap
• unnecessary screw pulls
PEKUTHERM® ULT addresses these problems by physically removing residues without requiring chemical reactions or extended purge cycles.
How PEKUTHERM® ULT Cleans Injection Molding Equipment
The cleaning process occurs through thermoelastic mechanical action.
When PEKUTHERM® enters the heated screw and barrel environment, it softens and forms a self-adhering purge plug.
This plug travels through the machine and:
Expands to contact screw and barrel surfaces
Soft-scours contaminants from the metal
Captures degraded polymers and carbon residues
Pushes the contamination forward through the system
The outgoing contamination is expelled during the purge cycle, leaving clean metal surfaces ready for the next production material.
Because PEKUTHERM® does not rely on carrier resins, new production material can run directly behind the purge.
Operational Benefits for Injection Molders
Plastic processors use PEKUTHERM® ULT to achieve several operational advantages.
Reduced Downtime
Shorter purge cycles mean production can resume faster during:
color changes
material transitions
maintenance cleaning
Lower Scrap Rates
Because the purge removes contamination efficiently, operators typically produce fewer off-spec parts during machine startup.
Improved Machine Cleanliness
Mechanical soft-scouring removes contamination from:
screw flights
barrel walls
dead spots within the system
This helps restore consistent processing conditions.
Compatible With Multiple Materials
PEKUTHERM® ULT can be used across a wide range of thermoplastics within its processing temperature range, allowing facilities to standardize purge procedures.
Supporting Preventative Maintenance
In addition to routine purge cycles, PEKUTHERM® ULT can assist maintenance teams during equipment service.
When used prior to screw removal, the purge compound can help remove degraded material from metal surfaces. This allows technicians to pull screws more easily while reducing the amount of manual cleaning required during inspection.
This approach helps minimize maintenance labor while maintaining equipment reliability.
Processing Temperature Range
PEKUTHERM® ULT operates across one of the widest temperature ranges available for purging compounds.
Operating Range
175°F – 625°F
79°C – 330°C
This flexibility allows processors to purge machines even when operating at lower temperatures typically associated with elastomers or specialty resins.
Typical Applications
PEKUTHERM® ULT is commonly used in:
Plastic Injection Molding
For:
PVC processing
elastomer molding
flexible polymer production
low-temperature specialty materials
It is particularly effective when processors need to clean machines without raising temperatures or risking thermal degradation of sensitive materials.
The PEKUTHERM® Portfolio
Within the PEKUTHERM® product family, ULT serves as the ultra-low temperature formulation.
Other formulations address different processing ranges and machine sizes.
Examples include:
PEKUTHERM® HLT for high-temperature polymers
PEKUTHERM® N / SM / SK for standard temperature injection molding machines
PEKUTHERM® EX for extrusion processing
Each formulation is designed to match specific machine sizes, temperature ranges, and processing environments.
Made in America Production
PEKUTHERM® purging compounds are manufactured in the United States, strengthening supply chain stability and supporting North American plastics manufacturing operations.
Domestic production allows Unitemp to maintain consistent formulation quality while ensuring reliable availability for industrial processors.
Start Saving Time and Money with PEKUTHERM® Today
Effective machine cleaning is essential for maintaining consistent plastic injection molding performance.
PEKUTHERM® ULT provides processors with a mechanical purging solution designed for ultra-low temperature applications, enabling facilities to reduce downtime, improve equipment cleanliness, and streamline material changeovers.
By using a thermoelastic physical cleaning mechanism rather than chemical reactions or carrier resins, PEKUTHERM® ULT delivers predictable purging performance across a wide range of injection molding environments.
For processors working with low-temperature materials, it offers a practical solution for maintaining cleaner machines and more efficient production cycles. Contact UniTemp today!
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