Squeeze flow in multilayer polymeric films: Effect of material characteristics and process conditions

Abstract

AbstractIn this work, effects of sealing temperature, time, pressure, as well as sealant thickness and viscosity on squeeze out flow (SOF) in heat sealing were examined. A new image analysis approach is presented to quantify SOF in heat sealing. It was found that increasing temperature or pressure could improve SOF but only in thick 130 μm sealants and reducing the sealant thickness to 50 μm suppressed SOF. Reducing viscosity in 50 μm sealant films was also found to improve SOF only at high‐sealing pressure and long sealing times. Three approaches were used to model SOF: analytical one‐dimensional model, numerical one‐dimensional model using finite difference method (FDM), (iii) Numerical two‐dimensional model using finite element analysis. Heat transfer was modeled, and it was shown that heat transfer induces a delay in SOF. When the FDM and the heat transfer models were combined, a good agreement between experimental and model prediction could be obtained. In addition, modeling results showed that SOF occurred in shear rates within the transition region between the Newtonian and Power‐law regions. This indicates the importance of considering the Carreau‐Yasuda fluid behavior in modeling of SOF.