Flow-Fiber Coupled Viscosity in Injection Molding Simulations of Short Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics

摘要

The main objective of this communication is to numerically investigate the use of fiber-dependent viscosity models in injection molding simulations of short fiber reinforced thermoplastics with a latest commercial software (Moldflow Insight 2018). We propose to use the homogenization-based Lipscomb's model to take into account possible flow-fiber coupling effects. The original model is adapted and then implemented in the Moldflow Insight API framework. Numerical simulations are performed in a test-case rectangle flat plate geometry with two latest fiber orientation models. The resulting coupled flow kinematics and fiber evolutions are then compared to the standard uncoupled simulations. Interpretations are given based on detailed post-processing of the field results. Certain deformation conditions are expected to be better taken into account, which may also in return lead to an improved fiber orientation prediction.