Numerical Simulation of the Flow of a Tire Tread Compound Through Capillary Die and Laboratory Extruder Die

To study tire tread compound extrudability is a very demanding process. Complicated flow geometry, and a broad range of operating parameters make predictions of processability a difficult task. In this work the viscoelastic parameters, which affect the rheology of tire tread compound such as relaxation time and viscosity index in generalized Maxwell model using two-parallel plates rheometer are determined. Then to simulate the flow of rubber compound through a capillary die a Fastflo software which works on mixed finite element (MFE) method is used. After calculation of the generalized viscoelastic Maxwell model parameters, the Fastflo software was used to simulate the flow of compound through a capillary die and laboratory extruder die. Comparisons between the simulation prediction and actual data show a good agreement between capillary die and laboratory extruder die. Numerical simulation in the Fastflo software was based on penalty method algorithm in FEM (finite element method).