Numerical Simulation of Heat Transfer and Crystallization of Non-Newtonian Flow in a Two-dimensional Flat Channel

Abstract

Solidification process of molten polymer flowing in a two-dimensional flat channel was simulated with a numerical simulation program developed by considering non-Newtonian flow and crystallization simultaneously. In our crystallization model, effects of non-isothermal, convective, and stress-induced crystallization kinetics were taken into account. The effect of the cooling wall temperature on the velocity distribution and the formation of the skin layer is predicted. The skin layer becomes thicker along the flow direction, owing to the development of a temperature boundary layer, though the skin layer and the temperature boundary layer are not analogical. The skin layer thickness is predicted to be greater with mass velocity under the same cooling wall temperature. Simulated skin layer thickness, affected by stress-induced crystallization in a strong viscous shear flow, agreed with experimental data.