Multi-Field Synergy Process for Polymer Plasticization: A Novel Design Concept for Screw to Facilitate Phase-to-Phase Thermal and Molecular Mobility

Abstract

A novel concept of screw design has been proposed considering the multi-field synergy principle to facilitate phase-to-phase thermal and molecular mobility; subsequently, a torsion element has been designed. This new screw design allows an innovative and effective way to resolve a growing challenge in polymer process engineering, especially for nanocomposites or biopolymers, that is, an inadequate control of mass transfer and thermal management for multicomponent melt flows through narrow channels during extrusion or injection. The adaption of torsion element in the screw facilitated the plasticization mixing and thermal distribution in polymer melts, and the torsional flow induced by the torsion elements shows a synergistic effect on the melt-phase mass flow and the thermal flow field. The latter effect enhances the mass and heat transfer of heterogeneous polymer systems and realizes effective heat management to achieve properly uniform temperature field.