Numerical Modeling of the Deformation in Polymer Blends under Shear Flow

摘要

A numerical model for studying the deformation of a dispersed phase in polymer blends under simple shear flow is presented. A transient numerical methodology, in the finite element framework, is used to model this problem. Viscoelastic fluids are considered, where the Oldroyd-B model is used. Interfaces are captured using an Eulerian fixed mesh strategy. Surface tension is also included in the numerical model in order to study its influence on the topology of free surfaces. This methodology is validated by studying the deformation of a viscoelastic drop in a shear flow and the deformation and coalescence of a large number of drops in a shear flow.