Abstract: The mathematic model of the co-extrusion of polymer with metal insert is established by using the penalty finite element method. The simulation program is coded and a co-extrusion process of polymer of Carreau fluid with metal insert is simulated. The distribution of the three-dimensional velocity field of polymer in die cavity is obtained. Through solving the energy equation by SUPG formulation, the temperature field of polymer is obtained while the convective term dominates in energy equation. The influence of various volume fluxes on the velocity field of the polymer is studied. The result shows that the analysis of the example gave the common rule of the co-extrusion process of polymer with metal insert. The simulation results supplied theoretical guidelines for the process and mould design of the co-extrusion of polymer with metal insert.

Key words: Carreau fluid, Finite element, Co-extrusion of polymer with metal insert, Numerical simulation