FEM BEM CALCULATIONS OF VELOCITY, TEMPERA TURE, PRESSURE AND STRESS-FIELDS IN A CALENDER

Velocity, pressure, temperature and stress fields are calculated for t he flow field between two counterdirectionally rotating rolls and comp ared to measured results. The equations of motion and continuity are s olved with a Finite Element Method (FEM) based on the Galerkin weighte d residual method. The comPuter code is combined with a Boundary Eleme nt Method (BEM) algorithm solving the coupled equation of energy. Resu lts are shown for a slightly shear thinning Polyisobutene melt in a ca lender with totally submerged rolls. The calculated results for the pr incipal stress differences are compared to measured results and confir m fairly well. The influence of friction is discussed. For a usual cal ender, calculations with a high viscous elastomer are shown considerin g the influence of the melt bank.