Enhancing Injection Molding Simulation Accuracy: A Comparative Evaluation of Rheological Model Performance

This contribution provides a detailed comparison of the impact of various rheological models on the filling phase of injection molding simulations in order to enhance the accuracy of flow predictions and improve material processing. The challenge of accurately modeling polymer melt flow behavior under different temperature and shear rate conditions is crucial for optimizing injection molding processes. Therefore, the study examines commonly used rheological models, including Power-Law, Second-Order, Herschel-Bulkley, Carreau and Cross models. Using experimental data for validation, the accuracy of each model in predicting the flow front and viscosity distribution for a quadratic molded part with a PA66 polymer is evaluated. The Carreau-WLF Winter model showed the highest accuracy, with the lowest RMSE values, closely followed by the Carreau model. The Second-Order model exhibited significant deviations in the edge region from experimental results, indicating its limitations. Results indicate that models incorporating both shear rate and temperature dependencies, such as Carreau-WLF Winter, provide superior predictions compared to those including only shear rate dependence. These findings suggest that selecting appropriate rheological models can significantly enhance the predictive capability of injection molding simulations, leading to better process optimization and higher quality in manufactured parts. The study emphasizes the significance of comprehensive rheological analysis and identifies potential avenues for future research and industrial applications in polymer processing.