Selecting the Physics Models and Materials

Curing is an unsteady, non-isothermal process. The polymer material is modeled by a Generalized Newtonian fluid model. The Chemorheology model tracks the degree of curing. The degree of curing alters the viscosity of the polymer, which is accounted for by the Curing Viscosity Factor according to Castro-Macosko. The kinetic rate constants k 1 and k 2 in Eqn. (5246) depend on temperature according to the Arrhenius law.

To select the physics models and materials:
  1. Right-click the Continua node and create a new physics continuum named Curing.
  2. For the Curing continuum, select the following models, in order:
    Group Box Model
    Space Two Dimensional
    Time Implicit Unsteady
    Material Liquid
    Flow

    Viscous Flow

    Constant Density (Selected automatically)

    Laminar (Selected automatically)

    Rheology Generalized Newtonian
    Optional Models

    Viscous Energy

    Chemorheology

    Material Calibration

  3. Select the Liquid > H2O node and rename H2O as Polymer.
  4. Select the Liquid > Polymer > Material Properties > K1 Temperature Shift Factor node and set Method to Arrhenius. Repeat for K2 Temperature Shift Factor.


  5. Save the simulation.