Numerical Simulation of GAEM for Asymmetric Double-Lumen Plastic Micro-Catheter

Abstract

Abstract In the study, the numerical simulations of gas-assisted extrusion molding (GAEM) of double-lumen micro-catheter (DLMC) with asymmetric structure were performed via the finite element software package Polyflow. At the same time, the numerical results of traditional extrusion were also obtained. The numerical extrusion profile, deformation, and the die swell ratios of DLMC based on the traditional and GAEM were all gotten, and compared with each other. In addition, to analyze the effect of gas-assisted on the elimination of the extrusion problems, the physical field distributions of melt for both extrusions were also compared and analyzed. Numerical results show that the obvious die swell and large extrusion deformation of DLMC generated by the traditional method were all eliminated by using the GAEM.