Modeling of Reactive Filling in Complex Cavities***

Abstract

Abstract The flow of reacting monomers into thin planar cavities of irregular geometry is analyzed. The Hele-Shaw approximations are used to simplify the momentum and mass balances. At each time step, the flow domain is mapped onto a rectangular domain using elliptic expressions. The transformed governing equations are solved using finite-differences. The transient three-dimensional energy and species balances are solved using an explicit marching scheme coupled to the flow. Viscosity is modeled as a function of temperature and extent of reaction. Castro's model is used to compare several fountain flow approximations. A simplified algorithm was found to capture the essence of the fountain flow kinematics. The fountain flow approximations described here can also be used in thermoplastic injection molding modeling. Results for a rectangular end gated mold and for an irregular mold geometry are presented.