Polymer Processing Partitioning Approach: Extruding Plastic Pipe

Abstract

The proposed thesis research aims at deepening our understanding of the flow of polymer melts through eccentric plastic pipe extrusion dies. Specifically, the proposed thesis research will explore how viscoelasticity affects the (1) velocity profile, (2) extrudate shape, (3) residual stresses, (4) axial and lateral forces on the eccentric mandrel, and on (5) knuckle formation (knuckling). Since pipe is only as strong as its thinnest part, a non-uniform extrudate shape wastes material. Pipe manufacture is thus preoccupied with perfecting extrudate shape.