Computational fluid dynamics modeling of multicomponent elastomeric complex profile while flowing through extrusion die

Extrusion is one of the most efficient and widely used methods for producing long elastomeric profiles, partic-ularly for automotive industries. These include mono-component glass run, co-extrudate, multi-component, metal-reinforced rubber, and cellular elastomeric profiles. Die swell and the interface disturbance between the fluids creates additional complexities while designing an extrusion die for elastomeric products. The extrudate deformation depends on die geometry, processing parameters, and material properties of the elastomeric com-pound. In this study, the 3D model having three flow channels is constructed to perform the multi-component extrusion simulation with the help of computational fluid dynamics. Three different configurations of flowing material are considered; first for all the flow channels having the same material, second for two channels having the same material, and third for all the flow channels having different materials. The extrusion simulation was performed using shear rate dependent viscosity model and temperature-dependent viscosity model to compute the extrudate deformation along with the interfaces on carbon black filled ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) based elastomeric compound for a multi-component elastomeric profile. Moreover, the simulated results show that the extrudate having different materials possesses lower structural stability compared to the other two extrudates. Finally, the simulation carried out with a complex-shaped multi-component elastomeric profile revealed a good agreement with the structural profile of the physical extrudate.

Automated summary

This study investigates the extrudate deformation and interface of multi-component elastomeric profiles using extrusion simulation. The results indicate lower structural stability for extrudates with different materials compared to other extrudates.