Generalized Newtonian flow analysis in the microchannel manufactured by SLA considering nano-scale stair effect

SLA (stereolithography), as a rapid and accurate additive manufacturing method, can be used to mold the microchannel. The stair effect is inevitable when the part is printed layer by layer, which has an important influence on the printing performance. In the current work, the power-law flow in the microchannel with nano-scale stairs manufactured by SLA is simulated and investigated. To improve the stability caused by the non-Newtonian behavior, a modified lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is proposed and validated. Then, a series of simulations are conducted and analyzed, the results show that both the stair effect and power-law index are important factors. The stairs on the surface force the streamlines to be curved and increase the outlet velocity. In addition, different power-law indexes result in completely different flows. The small power-law index leads to a much larger velocity than other cases, while the large power-law index makes the outlet velocity unstable at the middle position.

Automated summary

This study investigates the power-law flow in microchannels with nano-scale stairs manufactured by SLA. The results show that both the stair effect and power-law index have important influences on the flow.