Abstract:
Pelletizing die and knife assemblies that may be used for pelletization of plastic extrudate are disclosed. The knife assemblies may include an extrusion die and a rotary knife hub assembly. The rotary knife hub assembly may comprise a hub having multiple pelletizer cutting knives mounted thereon. Each knife may include a cutting blade insert mounted on a body of the knife. The cutting blade inserts may comprise a composite material having a continuous metal matrix with hard metal carbide particles dispersed therein. The composite material has relatively high hardness and good wear resistance properties, but may have a hardness less than the hardness of the pelletizing die surface in order to reduce wear of the die face.