MODELING OF POLYMER DROP DEFORMATION AND BREAKUP DURING MELTING UNDER SHEAR FLOW USING VOLUME-OF-FLUID METHOD

摘要

Polyethylene (PE) or polycarbonate (PC) drop breakup process in PE melt under shear flow was investigated using volume-of-fluid method. Real properties of polymers, and temperature and shear rate dependent viscosity model were incorporated in the modeling. An erosion mechanism was found for both PE and PC drops. Local flow information, such as shear rate, viscosity and shear stress, was obtained from the simulation results. Highest shear stress was observed at the interface, which could explain the erosion breakup mechanism.