Calibrator modelling in the simulation of extrusion process
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Benoit Debbaut
Abstract
Technical polymer profiles are often extruded while dragging them into a water bath. However, complex profiles may require additional forming tools. For example, geometrically complex profiles, such as PVC-window frames, require the use of a series of calibrators for satisfying severe geometric requirements. Calibrators are also required for rapid and homogeneous cooling as well, they must however be designed in such a way to minimize the temperature gradient along the profile thickness and hence to minimize the residual stresses of thermal origin. Within the context of numerical simulation of extrusion flows, a calibrator brings an additional downstream constraint to the kinematic equation which governs the extrudate surface shape. In the present paper, we propose a simple engineering approach for modelling calibrators used in profile extrusion, and we apply it to the non-isothermal simulation of the extrusion process for a 3D non-symmetric profile.
Acknowledgments
The author wishes to acknowledge the use of the POLYFLOW software developed by the Ansys group (ANSYS POLYFLOW software 2025). The author also wishes to acknowledge fruitful discussions with Bernard Hocq, Thierry Avalosse and André Goublomme from Ansys Belgium s.a., with Vincent Navez from NMC s.a. and with Wim Zoetelief from Covestro (Netherlands) B.V.
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: The author has accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
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Conflict of interest: The author states no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: None declared.
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Data availability: Not applicable.
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© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Review Articles
- A review on industrial optimization approach in polymer matrix composites manufacturing
- A review on the effect of fiber treatment and fillers on mechanical properties of kenaf fiber–reinforced composites
- Research Articles
- Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres using poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) as a suspending agent
- Medical grade polypropylene after artificial aging in regard to the VOC emissions
- Optimal performance of poly-hybrid nanocomposites promoted with carbon fibers and nano silicon carbide particles via compression associated with hot pressing: characterization study
- Spectroscopic analysis of silicone intraocular lenses by optical transmission measurements and FTIR
- Preparation and properties of biodegradable antibacterial polylactic acid/modified chitin antibacterial agent composites
- Impact of domain knowledge on developing pumping models for single-screw extruders using symbolic regression
- Calibrator modelling in the simulation of extrusion process
- Strength and thermophysical properties of polylactide-few-layer graphene composites
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Review Articles
- A review on industrial optimization approach in polymer matrix composites manufacturing
- A review on the effect of fiber treatment and fillers on mechanical properties of kenaf fiber–reinforced composites
- Research Articles
- Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres using poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) as a suspending agent
- Medical grade polypropylene after artificial aging in regard to the VOC emissions
- Optimal performance of poly-hybrid nanocomposites promoted with carbon fibers and nano silicon carbide particles via compression associated with hot pressing: characterization study
- Spectroscopic analysis of silicone intraocular lenses by optical transmission measurements and FTIR
- Preparation and properties of biodegradable antibacterial polylactic acid/modified chitin antibacterial agent composites
- Impact of domain knowledge on developing pumping models for single-screw extruders using symbolic regression
- Calibrator modelling in the simulation of extrusion process
- Strength and thermophysical properties of polylactide-few-layer graphene composites
