Author(s)

R. Akkermarf, G. Rekers, B.D. Carleer & J. Huetink

Abstract

Thermomechanical contact elements for healing in polymers R. Akkermarf, G. Rekers*, B.D. Carleer", J. Huetink^ M.J.H. Bulters\ H.A.J. Schepens^ ** University of Twente, Department of Mechanical En#meerm#, P.O. Boz ^)7, 7500 A The Netherlands ^D^M TZesearc^ P.O. Boz ^g, &?#0 MD The Netherlands ABSTRACT In injection moulding of polymers flows may split and recombine. The resulting weldlines usually have inferior mechanical properties. A finite element model has been used to study the development of a weldline during the filling and cooling stages of injection moulding. An Arbitrary Lagrange- Euler method is applied to describe the moving free surface. For the instationary thermal and mechanical contact behaviour between polymer and mould, use is made of a penalty formulation implemented in a contact element. For the description of contact between two polymer flow fronts (weldlines) the model has been enhanced using reptation theory describing the he

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