LAUSR

Abstract The development and distribution of residual stresses in extruded polymers are investigated at concentric and eccentric geometries in the shape of an annular tube with the help of heat transfer simulations in order to understand the effect of non-uniform wall thickness on the temperature and residual stress profiles of melt solidified polymers. The measurement of residual hoop stress and thermal analysis of the polymer product along with the heat transfer simulation of the post die cooling process were evaluated to understand the change in stress state on the polymer depending on geometric eccentricity as a function of temperature through an example of extruded high-density polyethylene pipe using an industrial scale extrusion line. It is revealed that the eccentricity of extruded plastic pipe significantly alters the heat transfer profiles upon post die cooling process and causes re-distribution of residual stress along the circumference. The outcome of this research helps better understanding of the melt solidification process and its effect on application related properties.