Modeling Polymer Melt Flow Using the Particle Finite Element Method.
Modeling Polymer Melt Flow Using the Particle Finite
Element Method.
(1100 K)
Butler, K. M.; Onate, E.; Idelsohn, S. R.; Rossi, R.
Volume 2;
Interflam 2007. (Interflam '07). International
Interflam Conference, 11th Proceedings. Volume 2.
September 3-5, 2007, London, England, 929-940 pp, 2007.
Keywords:
particles; melt flow; thermoplastics; flow field;
equations; gasification; heat sources; finite element
method; experiments; mass loss; flame spread; viscosity
Abstract:
A new particle-based approach is applied to the modeling
of the melt flow behavior of thermoplastics. The
Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) combines
convection of particles by the flow field with a finite
element solution of the equations of motion and energy,
in a fully Lagrangian formulation that tracks large
changes in shape and topology. The potential of this
method to model thermoplastic melt flow is tested with a
series of computational problems based on flow from an
upright rectangular sample heated on one face. The
quasi-steady flow rate under three levels of heat flux
is about 25 % higher than experimental results, in line
with previous modeling results. The addition of
gasification to the PFEM model provides good agreement
with a 1D analytical model when the gasification layer
is well-resolved. A model that includes dripping of the
sample onto a catch surface below conserves mass within
- 5 %.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899