Viscosity Optimization-TPE
Improved processing of thermoplastic elastomers through simulation with load-dependent corrected viscosity
Project duration
From: 01.12.2022 To: 31.01.2025Description
The Viscosity Optimization-TPE project provided insights into the processing of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) on screw machines. The project aimed to design TPE melting processes that consistently produce a homogeneous TPE melt with the lowest possible viscosity without degrading the polymer. The research project focused on styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPS).
Initially, the material properties of the selected materials were analyzed. The obtained data served as a basis for simulations. One hypothesis examined in more detail during the project was that shear forces within the screw unit significantly influence viscosity at the screw tip. Another hypothesis addressed the differing melting behavior of TPE compared to that of conventional thermoplastics. Various measurement methods were used to investigate these and further hypotheses. The results of experimental and simulation-based studies were compared, and an approach to modifying the material models was considered.
Based on the research project's findings, it was concluded that neither the viscosity models nor the melting calculations for screw machines require fundamentally adjusted for TPS. Additionally, no significant influence of pre-shearing was found. As a result, established measurement methods as well as simulation and calculation models for extrusion processes can be applied.
