Analytical study of viscoelastic fluid during forward roll coating process under lubrication approximation theory

Abstract

Roll coating is a popular method for applying a thin coating film to a continuous substrate, such as paper or foil. This study aims to investigate analytically the fluid flow through counter rotating rolls using a non-Newtonian model. The governing equation for the constitutive of the Oldroyd-B as a non-Newtonian fluid with momentum equation has been discovered. The nondimensionalizing of the fluid flow equations is done by using suitable dimensionless parameters. The equations are then simplified by using Lubrication Approximation Theory (LAT) to obtain the solution for various quantities. Analytical solutions for the velocity distribution, pressure and pressure gradients have been obtained by regular perturbation method. Numerical integration has been used to calculate separation point, coating thickness, separation force and power input of the fluid. The effect of involved parameter such as Weissenberg number We and viscosity on velocities, pressure gradient and pressure is presented in a variety of graphs and several other results are shown in tables. It has been observed that as the modified capillary number [Formula: see text] increases, the separation point moves toward the nip region, whereas the coating thickness declines. It has been witnessed that the We serves as the controlling parameter for flow rate, pressure distribution and power input, whereas for the coating thickness, the separation force increases, which are important for coating industries.