Patent ID: 8512021

Claim:
A solid face die plate for extruding polymer in an underwater pelletizer comprising: a die plate base member and a removable die insert body fitted therein having a generally circular downstream face with a solid center and a plurality of extrusion orifices arranged in a generally circular pattern around a perimeter of said solid center of said downstream face, said plurality of extrusion orifices passing through said die insert body and through said solid downstream face to extrude polymer to an attaching surface on said downstream face of said die insert body, said attaching surface extending fully across a diameter of said downstream face of said die insert body including said solid center; and a solid face plate including a carrier made of a nickel-iron alloy, said carrier directly attached to and covering said attaching surface of said die insert body, said carrier having a hard anti-wear element made of tungsten carbide embedded therein, said solid face plate including exit openings spaced around a perimeter of said solid face plate that align with said extrusion orifices in said die insert body, and a central area of said solid face plate encircled by said exit openings being solid.