Prosessikyvyn

Prosessikyvyn, or processability, is a term used in Finnish engineering and industry to describe the ease with which a material or system can be processed into a finished product under real-world manufacturing conditions. It encompasses how readily a material can be shaped, formed, or transformed within acceptable processing times, energy use, and equipment constraints, without degradation or defect formation. In practice, high processability means a broad processing window, predictable behavior under processing conditions, and efficient production.

Factors affecting prosessikyvyn include rheological properties (such as viscosity and shear-thinning behavior), thermal stability, crystallization kinetics, moisture sensitivity, chemical compatibility with processing equipment and additives, particle size and dispersion for fillers, and surface tension. Additives, fillers, and processing methods (injection molding, extrusion, film casting, or additive manufacturing) also influence it. Materials like polymers, composites, and bio-based polymers are often evaluated for processability to assess manufacturability and cost. Assessment methods involve rheometry to measure viscosity as a function of shear rate and temperature, determination of a processing window (temperature and shear ranges), melt flow rate tests, and practical pilot runs to test mold filling, debinding, or sintering as applicable. In manufacturing practice, processability guides material selection, formulation, and process optimization to minimize defects and save energy.