Calendering

is a process where a large amount of molten plastic is placed between rollers and rolled to turn it into sheets. The rollers are hot and keep the plastic in its semi - molten state allowing it to be rolled thinner and thinner as it passes through rollers which are closer and closer together. When it is at the required thickness it is rolled through cold rollers to enable it to go hard and is then wound into rolls.

Examples of this final product might be cling film, a plastic bed sheet for a baby or damp proof sheeting which is placed under house foundations.

B - molten plastic Link to past exam question & answer

F - finished sheet of plastic