Pumping characteristics of self‐wiping twin‐screw extruders—A theoretical and experimental study on biopolymer extrusion

Abstract

The flow of Newtonian and non‐Newtonian fluids which obeys a power law relationship between shear stress and shear rate has been modeled in the melt conveying section of a self‐wiping co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder using a finite element analysis of an unwound channel section. Predictions of throughput against pressure gradient are compared with experimentally obtained results for maize grits which is represented as a power law material. Rheological data applicable to extrusion simulation were obtained from capillary rheometry. Comparisons are reasonable with predicted characteristic showing similar behavior.