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Screw Pull Aid for Injection Molding & Extrusion | PEKUTHERM®

Screw Pull Aid for Clean, Efficient Screw Removal

In plastics processing, screw removal is one of the most labor-intensive and time-consuming maintenance tasks. Residual plastic, carbon buildup, and degraded polymers often make screw pulls difficult, messy, and inefficient.


PEKUTHERM® functions as a high-performance screw pull aid, enabling maintenance teams to remove screws cleanly, safely, and with significantly reduced downtime.

What Is a Screw Pull Aid?

A screw pull aid is a material used prior to maintenance shutdown to:

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  • Displace residual plastic inside the barrel

  • Encapsulate degraded material

  • Leave the screw clean for removal and inspection

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Unlike traditional purging compounds or carrier resins, PEKUTHERM® uses a mechanical thermoelastic action to physically remove contamination rather than relying on chemical reactions or dilution.

The Maintenance Problem

Maintenance teams routinely face:

 

  • Screws packed with degraded polymer

  • Carbon buildup deep in screw flights

  • Difficult, time-consuming cleaning after removal

  • Increased labor costs during scheduled downtime

  • Safety risks from hot or partially molten residues

 

In many facilities, screw pulls require:

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  • Manual scraping

  • Secondary cleaning processes

  • Extended downtime windows

How PEKUTHERM® Works as a Screw Pull Aid

PEKUTHERM® behaves differently than traditional purge materials.

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During processing, it softens into a thermoelastic, self-adhering mass that:

 

  • Forms a solid purge plug

  • Adheres to itself, not the machine

  • Encapsulates residual plastic and contamination

  • Travels through the screw and barrel as a unified mass

 

When the screw is pulled, PEKUTHERM® leaves behind a thin, peelable film, often described by operators as similar to clear cellophane.

 

This allows maintenance teams to:

 

  • Remove screws with minimal residual plastic

  • Peel off remaining material quickly and cleanly

  • Inspect screw condition without interference

Injection Molding Applications

In injection molding environments, PEKUTHERM® is used prior to shutdown to:

 

  • Clear color and material contamination

  • Remove carbon buildup from screw flights

  • Prepare the machine for maintenance or inspection

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Result:

 

  • Cleaner screw removal

  • Reduced post-pull cleaning time

  • Faster return to operation

Extrusion Applications

For extrusion operations, PEKUTHERM® is especially valuable during:

 

  • Planned maintenance shutdowns

  • Material transitions involving high-temperature polymers

  • Screw inspections and replacements

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Field-proven performance includes:

 

  • Ultra-low-temperature purging (~175°F for rubber applications)

  • Reduced need for manual screw scrubbing

  • Improved uptime and maintenance efficiency

Step-by-Step: Using PEKUTHERM® as a Screw Pull Aid

  1. Run PEKUTHERM® at appropriate processing temperature

  2. Allow material to fully displace existing resin

  3. Form a consistent purge plug through the system

  4. Shut down and begin screw pull procedure

  5. Remove screw with minimal residual contamination

  6. Peel off remaining film for final cleaning

black specks injection molding contamination guide

Benefits for Maintenance Teams

PEKUTHERM® directly supports maintenance KPIs:

 

  • Faster screw pulls

  • Reduced labor requirements

  • Cleaner inspections and measurements

  • Less downtime during maintenance cycles

  • Reduced need for manual scraping and solvents

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In many operations, screw pulls are reduced to:

 

  • Inspection-only events

  • Wear verification

  • Preventative maintenance

Pekutherm Why Engineers Choose Us UniTemp

Field-Tested and Maintenance-Approved

Maintenance professionals and third-party service crews consistently report:

 

  • Cleaner screw removal across varied operating conditions

  • Reliable performance regardless of temperature or cycle speed

  • Reduced dependency on secondary cleaning processes

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In some cases, contractors require PEKUTHERM® prior to performing screw pulls to ensure efficient service.

Dual-Use Advantage: Purging + Screw Pull Aid

PEKUTHERM® is uniquely positioned to serve both:

 

  • Production teams (purging during operation)

  • Maintenance teams (screw removal and cleaning)

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This eliminates the need for separate products and simplifies plant-wide material management.

Why PEKUTHERM®

  • Trusted in continuous production use since 1985

  • Mechanical, thermoelastic cleaning — not chemical

  • Non-abrasive and safe for screws and barrels

  • No carrier resin or blending with production material

  • Wide operating temperature range across formulations

Request a Sample

Experience cleaner screw pulls and reduced downtime with PEKUTHERM®.

 

👉 Request a Sample of PEKUTHERM®

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