Mathematical Analysis of Pseudoplastic Polymers during Reverse Roll-Coating

Abstract

This article presents a mathematical model and theoretical analysis of coating of a thin film of non-Newtonian polymers as they travel through a small space between two reverse-rotating rolls. The dimensionless forms of the governing equations are simplified with the help of the lubrication approximation theory (LAT). By using the perturbation technique, the analytical solutions for velocity, flow rate and pressure gradient were obtained. From an engineering point of view, some significant results such as thickness of the coated web, pressure distribution, separation points, separation force and power input were computed numerically. The effect of velocities ratio k and Weissenberg number We on these physical quantities is presented graphically; others are shown in tabular form. It is noted that the involved material parameters provide a mechanism to control the flow rate, pressure distribution, the thickness of coating, separation force and power input. Moreover, the separation point is shifted toward the nip region by increasing velocities ratio k.