3D Numerical Simulation of the Hollow Square-Typed Polymer Based on Gas-Assisted Extrusion Method

Abstract

According to the properties of hollow square-typed polymer extrudate, the three dimensional numerical simulation of hollow square-typed polymer extrudate based on gas-assisted extrusion technology was performed by using finite element method. Meanwhile, four different gas-assisted modes imposed on the outer and inner wall of hollow square-type extrudate were considered. The extrudate swell ratios and field distributions, such as pressure drop, velocities and normal stresses of four different gas-assisted modes were obtained and compared with each other. Research results show that the extrudate swell ratios and field distributions of different gas-assisted modes are completely different. For the mode of gas-assisted on the single wall, the extrudate swell or shrink phenomena are large due to the non-symmetric properties of field distributions. For the no gas-assisted mode, although the physical field values are large, the extrudate swell ratio is not large due to the interaction role of both walls. For the mode of gas-assisted on both walls, the physical field values, such as pressure drop, normal velocities and stresses are all diminished, and the extrudate swell phenomenon was completely eliminated.