George A. Kruder
Hydraulic Press Manufacturing Corporation (H.P.M.)
Inducted 1991
During his long career, George A. Kruder (1919-2002) was one of the world’s most experienced and knowledgeable industrial extrusion experts. Born in Chicago, Kruder received his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering in 1942 and his Ph.D. in 1948 from Purdue University. His major contributions to the plastics industry began in 1957 when he managed the development of polyethylene bread and meat wrap films and other extrusion processes at the Kordite Co. His work contributed to developing Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) film with greatly enhanced strength and barrier properties.
Kruder also made significant contributions as head of Research and Development (R&D) for numerous firms. He worked for U.S. Rubber, DuPont, AMF, Kordite, Tee-Pak Inc., Rexall Drug and Chemical, Dart Industries, Prodex, and finally at the Hydraulic Press Manufacturing Corporation (H.P.M.) from 1970 through 1984. He built, organized, and directed highly skilled R&D teams that made major technological advances of significant commercial importance. His knowledge and experience in polyolefin and polystyrene process development and manufacturing were applied at Rexall and Dart Industries, where he held positions in directing R&D, Technical Services, Quality Control, and Polyolefin Plant Operations.
Eleven U.S. patents have been issued to him since 1975. His most significant invention was the double wave screw for injection molding and extrusion while at H.P.M. His unique talents guided new process and product developments, optimized extrusion process design and operation, diagnosed field problems, and audited extrusion plant performance.
His many conference presentations and published papers include studies on fundamental feeding mechanisms, metered starve feeding, ultra-high-speed extrusion, barrel venting, and specialty extrusion and injection molding screw designs. He won the Extrusion Division “Best Paper Award” at the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) ANTEC in 1975 and 1980. In 1990, the SPE presented him with their “Distinguished Service Award.” He also received the Plastics Institute of America Educational Service Award. Kruder was a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Chemical Society, and the Society of Sigma Xi.
Areas of Expertise:
Plastic processing, Plastics Machinery