| A polymer melt flow simulation software for an annular (pipe) extrusion die was developed. The polymer melt flow in the annular (pipe) die was assumed to be non-Newtonian and non-isothermal. The finite difference method was used to solve the flow problem. The components of the software included material rheological data, die geometry, flow analysis, and display of the results. Flow simulation results provides velocity profiles, shear rate, melt viscosity, melt temperature, residence time, and pressure loss. The experimental results of the die pressure at several points along the axial length of the die verified that the accuracy of the flow program was 84 percent. The software developed also presents an estimate of the critical pressure for foam extrusion. |
