A diverse range of material is used in the manufacturing of extruded sheets. Ranging from different types of plastic materials to even rubber to metals. In metals aluminium is the most preferred option. Extruded aluminium sheets find application in construction activities. Since thermoplastic extruded or co extruded sheets are most common they have been described at length here.

Extruded Plastic Sheets
Plastic material used as extruded sheets include TPE, Acrylic, polyethylene, polypropylene, HDPE, LDPE, ABS etc. For example extruded Acrylic sheets are produced on automated machinery. A typical process to make extruded sheets works like this, pellets of resin is combined with acrylic monomer and a catalyst. The mixture is then dispensed through a "die-block". Further, in the semi-molten form it is run through rollers. After which there is production of the final thickness, the sheets are then cut, trimmed and finished to their final size. A typical run of plastic extrusion sheet may run as much quantity as 40,000 lbs. in a single color and thickness. Some of the features of extruded plastic sheets include:

• High hardness
• Easy forming
• Perfect ability to withstand wear
• High gloss surface
• High strength
• Lightweight
• Resistance to heat

Buyers Guide to Extruded Plastic Sheets
As a smart buyer venturing to buy extruded sheets made of plastics there is a need to give a thorough consideration to the following points.

• General properties that includes
  • Water absorption
  • Density
  
  
• Mechanical Properties that includes
  • Tensile strength
  • Modulus of elasticity
  • Elongation at break
  • Wear resistance
  • Compressive strength
  • Shear strength
  • Hardness in Rockwell scale
  • Hardness in Shore scale
  
  
• Optical properties that includes
  • Refractive index
  • Light transmission
  
  
• Electrical properties that includes
  • Dielectric strength
  • Transverse resistivity
  
  
• Thermal properties that includes
  • Specific Heat
  • Thermal conductivity
  
  
• Flammability that includes
  • Self ignition temperature
  • Flame resistance
  
  

Applications of Extruded plastic Sheets
Among a large number of applications that extruded plastic sheets have some of the prominent are descried here:

• Pickup truck bed-liners
  
  
  
• Automotive passenger compartment matting
  
  
• Mud flaps
  
  
  
• Point-of-sale display units
  
  
• Lighting fixtures
  
  
• Skylight covers
  
  
• Protection covers
  
  
• Outdoor signage
  
  
  
• Glazing for Window
  
  
  
• Refrigerator linings
  
  
• Roofing
  
  
• Bus shelters
  
  
• PCO booths
  
  
• Sound Barriers