Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

A finite element numerical analysis of parison inflation associated with the extrusion blow molding process has been developed using a novel overlay viscoelastic model. The model uses 2-D six noded overlay isoparametric elements. The analysis is capable of predicting final wall thickness distribution for axisymmetric mold geometries. Experimental studies were carried out on an extrusion blowing molding machine with two axisymmetric molds. High density polyethylene was used in the experiment. The predicted wall thickness distribution is in reasonable agreement with the experimental data. Non-uniformity in the initial thickness and the non-isothermal temperature profile of the parison was found to have the most significant impact on the inflation behavior and the resulting wall thickness. Numerical simulation of a blow molding process can be used to optimize the molds and the molding parameters to achieve a product with ideal thickness distribution.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. Z. Tadmor and C.G. Gogos , Principles of Polymer Processing, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1979).

2. D. Rosato and D. Rosato , Blow Molding Handbook Hanser Publisher, Munich (1989).

3. M.O. Ghafur , B. L. Koziey and J. Vlachopoulos , Simulation of Thermoforming and Blow Molding: Theory and Experiments, Chapter in Rheological Fundamental in Polymer Processing, J. Covas et al., Eds., Kluwer, The Netherlands (1995).

4. W.N. Song , F.A. Mirza and J. Vlachopoulos , Int. Polym. Proc., 7, 248-248 (1992).

5. K. Kouba , O. Vartos and J. Vlachopoulos , Polym. Eng. Sci., 32, 699-699 (1992).

6. K. Kouba , M.O. Ghafur and J. Vlachopoulos , ANTEC Tech. Paper, 51, 1861-1861 (1993).

7. A.S. Lodge , Elastic Liquids, Academic Press, New York (1964).

8. M.W. Johnson and D. Segalman , J Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech., 2, 255-255 (1977).

9. W.P. Haessly and M.E. Ryan , Polym. Eng. Sci., 33,1279-1279 (1993).

10.

10. M. Bellet , C. Corsini , D. Assaker , P. Mercierand P. Wouters ,J. Reinf. Plast. Comp., 12,498-498 (1993).

11.

11. R. Harms and W. Michaeli , J. Reinf/ Plast. Comp., 13, 439-439 (1994).

12.

12. F. D'oria , P. Bourgin and L. Coincenot ,Adv. Polym. Tech., 14, 291-291 (1995).

13.

13. R.E. Khayat and A. Derdouri , Polym. Eng. Sci., 35, 1852-1852 (1995).

14.

14. S.J. Liu , J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 62, 1537-1537 (1996).

15.

15. K-J Bathe , Finite Element Procedures in EngineeringAnalysis, Prentice Hall, New Jersey (1982).

16.

16. J.T. Oden , Finite Element of Nonlinear Continua, McGraw-Hill, New York (1972).

17.

17. D.R.J. Owen and E. Hinton , Finite Element in Plasticity, Pineridge Press Ltd., Swansea U.K. (1980).

18.

18. D.V. Rosato and D.V. Rosato , Plastics Processing Data Handbook Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York (1990).

19.

19. I.C. Cormeau , Int. J. Num. Meth. Eng., 9, 109-109 (1975).

20.

20. J.H. Ferziger , Numerical Methodsfor EngineeringApplications, Wiley, New York (1981).

21.

21. D.M. Kalyon and M.R. Kamal , Polym. Eng. Sci., 26,508-508 (1986).

22.

22. D.K. Lee and S.K. Soh , Polym. Eng. Sci., 36, 1513-1513 (1996).

23.

23. R.W. Diraddo and A. Garcia-Rejon , Polym. Eng. Sci., 32, 1401-1401 (1992).

24.

24. S. Tanoue , Y. Kuwano , K. Terada and M. Yamabe , Polym. Eng. Sci., 35, 1546-1546 (1996).

25.

25. S. Tanoue , T. Kajiwara , K. Funatsu , K. Tarada and M. Yamabe , Polym. Eng. Sci., 36,2008-2008 (1996).

Computer Simulation of the Inflation Process in Blow Molding

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References