Extrusion die and method for using the same

1. An extrusion die comprising:

mating die body portions, each mating die body portion having a mating die wall on one side of the mating die body portion such that when the mating die body portions are assembled the mating die walls define a die inlet, a substantially straight-line die exit and a die cavity, each mating die body portion having an exterior surface on the side of the mating die body portion opposite the mating die wall, the exterior surface being spaced from the mating die wall by a thickness dimension that varies along the length of the die exit by an amount dependent on a pressure exerted on the die exit such that there is substantially uniform deflection of the die exit,

wherein the die cavity includes a manifold that is in fluid communication with the die inlet and the die exit, the manifold having a back wall located a varying distance from the die exit, and side walls.

2. The extrusion die of claim 1 , wherein the thickness dimension increases from each side wall to a maximum thickness dimension at an area substantially between the side walls.

3. The extrusion die of claim 2 , wherein the increase in the thickness dimension is linear.

4. The extrusion die of claim 2 , wherein the increase in the thickness dimension is non-linear.

5. The extrusion die of claim 2 , wherein the increase in the thickness dimension has a relative increase of between about 75 to about 150% from the side walls to the area substantially between the side walls.

6. The extrusion die of claim 1 , wherein the die manifold is a coat hanger manifold.

7. The extrusion die of claim 1 , wherein the thickness dimension in the area substantially between the side walls is uniform.

8. The extrusion die of claim 1 , wherein the mating die body portions are joined together by a series of body bolts that extend through the mating die body portions.

9. The extrusion die of claim 8 , wherein the body bolts extend through an area outside the manifold.