An experimental evaluation of flow distribution models for spiral mandrel dies

Abstract Three recent mathematical models, developed to simulate the flow of polymer melts through spiral mandrel dies were analyzed. The models were compared against each other and with experimental data. The experimental data were obtained from processing several polymers through a 100 mm diameter spiral mandrel die attached to a 38 mm extruder. The die had no post‐spiral sections to ensure that only the effect of the spiral distribution system would be measured. The model developed by Vlcek et al. ( Int. Polym. Process. , 2, 174–181, 1988) was found to be the most accurate in predicting both the magnitude of the flow variation and the pressure drop.