Mathematical Modelling For Polymer Processing

Polymers are substances made of macromolecules formed by thousands of atoms organized in one (homopolymers) or more (copolymers) groups that repeat themselves to form linear or branched chains, or lattice structures. The concept of polymer traces back to the years 1920's and is one of the most significant ideas of last century. It has given great impulse to indus try but also to fundamental research, including life sciences. Macromolecules are made of sm all molecules known as monomers. The process that brings monomers into polymers is known as polymerization. A fundamental contri bution to the industrial production of polymers, particularly polypropylene and polyethylene, is due to the Nobel prize winners Giulio Natta and Karl Ziegler. The ideas of Ziegler and Natta date back to 1954, and the process has been improved continuously over the years, particularly concerning the design and shaping of the catalysts. Chapter 1 (due to A. Fasano ) is devoted to a review of some results concerning the modelling of the Ziegler- Natta polymerization. The specific ex am pie is the production of polypropilene. The process is extremely complex and all studies with relevant mathematical contents are fairly recent, and several problems are still open.

Experts in rheology and polymer processing present up-to-date, fundamental and applied information on the rheological properties of polymers, in particular those relevant to processing, contributing to the physical understanding and the mathematical modelling of polymer processing sequences. Basic concepts of non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, micro-rheological modelling and constitutive modelling are reviewed, and rheological measurements are described. Topics with practical relevance are debated, such as linear viscoelasticity, converging and diverging flows, and the rheology of multiphase systems. Approximation methods are discussed for the computer modelling of polymer melt flow. Subsequently, polymer processing technologies are studied from both simulation and engineering perspectives. Mixing, crystallization and reactive processing aspects are also included. Audience: An integrated and complete view of polymer processing and rheology, important to institutions and individuals engaged in the characterisation, testing, compounding, modification and processing of polymeric materials. Can also support academic polymer processing engineering programs.

Authored by a respected scientist with a growing international reputation this is a self-contained text that can be used by the beginners and the experts alike, to study the basic aspects of finite element modelling. It provides a sound physical understanding of the basis on which mathematical models of polymer processes are built. * Written from a chemical engineering rather then a mathematical perspective it enables the reader to get up to speed in a relatively short time * Provides the 'parts and tools' required to assemble finite element models, applicable to situations that arise under realistic conditions * Discusses and compares specific finite element schemes that provide the most reliable and robust numerical solution procedures for polymer processing models * Practical examples give a wide ranging view of the application of finite element analysis to industrial problems * Describes non-Newtonian fluid mechanics equations in a self-contained, concise and clear manner * Includes clear and simple readily compiled code to model simple problems that can be extended to solve more complex polymer processing problems This book makes the subject accessible to a wide audience ranging from senior under-graduate to post-graduate engineering students, as well as, researchers and practising engineers involved in polymer industry.

The use of computers to numerically analyse polymer processing was first reported as for back as the 1950's, and the first commercial software became available around 20 years ago. Much research has been carried out since that time, and this report aims to summarise contemporary trends in both commercial and academic research and development. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provides useful references for further reading.

This book addresses traditional polymer processing as well as the emerging technologies associated with the plastics industry in the 21st Century, and combines engineering modeling aspects with computer simulation of realistic polymer processes. This book is designed to provide a polymer processing background to engineering students and practicing engineers. This three-part textbook is written for a two-semester polymer processing series in mechanical and chemical engineering. The first and second part of the book are designed for a senior- to graduate level course, introducing polymer processing, and the third part is for a graduate course on simulation in polymer processing. Throughout the book, many applications are presented in form of examples and illustrations. These will also serve the practicing engineer as a guide when determining important parameters and factors during the design process or when optimizing a process. Examples are presented throughout the book, and problems and solutions are available.

Filling a gap in the literature and all set to become the standard in this field, this monograph begins with a look at computational viscoelastic fluid mechanics and studies of turbulent flows of dilute polymer solutions. It then goes on discuss simulations of nanocomposites, polymerization kinetics, computational approaches for polymers and modeling polyelectrolytes. Further sections deal with tire optimization, irreversible phenomena in polymers, the hydrodynamics of artificial and bacterial flagella as well as modeling and simulation in liquid crystals. The result is invaluable reading for polymer and theoretical chemists, chemists in industry, materials scientists and plastics technologists.

This text examines problems in modelling and optimization of heterogeneous catalysis, polymerization processes, and transport phenomena. The book features many original results, many of which have been published only in Russian publications.

During the First Conference of European Rheologists, which was held in Graz, Austria, in April 1982, the Provisional Committee of European Delegates to the Inter national Committee on Rheology held a meeting to discuss future European activities in the general area of rheol ogy. It was agreed, among other things, that the organ ization of meetings in Europe on specific topics related to rheology would be done in cooperation, so as to avoid conflicts of dates and/or subject areas. Any such meeting, if approved by the Provisional Committee, would be named a European Meeting; the European Societies of Rheology would help the organizers with distribution 6f circulars, membership lists, and any required technical assistance. One of the very first meetings organized within this procedural scheme has been the European Meeting on Polymer Processing and Properties, which was held in Capri, Italy, on June 13-16, 1983. This book constitutes the Proceedings of that meeting.