Multilayer film coextrusion of polymer melts: Analysis of industrial lines with the finite element method

Mitsoulis, E

dc.contributor.author	Mitsoulis, E	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T01:22:48Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T01:22:48Z
dc.date.issued	2005	en
dc.identifier.issn	0334-6447	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/16659
dc.relation.uri	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-22544482326&partnerID=40&md5=8e309e0436e75a7819f8ec14e59370b4	en
dc.subject	Film coextrusion	en
dc.subject	Interfaces	en
dc.subject	Multilayer structures	en
dc.subject	Numerical simulation	en
dc.subject.classification	Polymer Science	en
dc.subject.other	Computer simulation	en
dc.subject.other	Finite element method	en
dc.subject.other	Heat resistance	en
dc.subject.other	Plastic films	en
dc.subject.other	Plastic products	en
dc.subject.other	Viscosity	en
dc.subject.other	Film coextrusion	en
dc.subject.other	Flat rate ratios	en
dc.subject.other	Interfaces	en
dc.subject.other	Multilayer structures	en
dc.subject.other	Polymers	en
dc.title	Multilayer film coextrusion of polymer melts: Analysis of industrial lines with the finite element method	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.language	English	en
heal.publicationDate	2005	en
heal.abstract	Multilayer coextrusion is practiced increasingly today for many commercial plastic products. It is not uncommon to employ up to 11 layers in many combinations to set up a structure that meets certain requirements, especially for the food packaging industry. The structure usually consists of the middle barrier layer, adhesive layers on either side, the bulk layer to take up most of the structure, and skin layers to provide high and low temperature impact strength and high heat resistance. In this work, multilayer coextrusion of typical industrial lines to produce plastic sheets for food packaging is analyzed via the finite element method. All the necessary material data are collected, with the emphasis placed on shear viscosity data for a wide range of shear rates and temperatures. Two cases of 4 and 7 layers are thus analyzed by using the conservation equations of mass, momentum, and energy for industrial throughputs. For a given flow rate and flow rate ratios (or correspondingly total sheet thickness and individual layer thicknesses), the solution provides the interface locations and individual pressure drops that each extruder has to supply. The shear stresses at the channel walls are checked as a criterion to avoid melt fracture. Such an analysis provides a fast qualitative as well as quantitative insight into the proper design and melt combinations for multilayer sheet coextrusion of polymer melts.	en
heal.publisher	FREUND PUBLISHING HOUSE LTD	en
heal.journalName	Journal of Polymer Engineering	en
dc.identifier.isi	ISI:000230443500002	en
dc.identifier.volume	25	en
dc.identifier.issue	5	en
dc.identifier.spage	393	en
dc.identifier.epage	410	en