Numerical modelling of microfibers formation and motion during melt blowing

Abstract

Melt blowing (MB) is a widely used one-step process to manufacture products comprising microfibers in large quantities. However, fiber formation and motion are complicated and difficult to modeling in MB. In this study, a comprehensive MB model from orifice exit to collection screen is developed. Fiber is described as a model of a series of beads connected by polymer element. Fiber formation and motion are simulated by predicting beads deformation and speed. Compared with our previous work, the improved model introduces Giesekus constitutive equation, adds fiber crystal energy term and fiber thermal radiation term in the energy equation and considers fiber crystallization during fiber formation. The model can be used for predicting fiber spatial position, velocity, temperature, diameter, and crystallinity. This study provides precisely predicted results and a better understanding on the fiber formation process.