Makara Journal of Technology
Vol. 29, No. 3

Aerodynamics and Heat Transfer in Polymer Blown Film Processing: Experimental and Numerical Investigation

Zulbakri, Mohammad Luqman (Unknown)
Mat. Rautin, Nur Atiqah (Unknown)
Shuib, Raa Khimi (Unknown)
Ku Ishak, Ku Marsilla (Unknown)
Abdul Hamid, Auratus Zuratul Ain (Unknown)
Shafiq, Mohamad Danial (Unknown)
Idroas, Mohamad Yusof (Unknown)
Abdullah, Muhammad Khalil (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Dec 2025

Abstract

The effects of airflow dynamics, heat transfer, and mechanical properties on the HDPE blown film extrusion process were examined using a single-lip air ring with a fixed compressed-air valve opening angle of 10°. Reynolds numbers ranging from 9175 to 25911 were analyzed to understand their impact on cooling efficiency, bubble morphology, and film properties. Numerical simulations employing the Standard k−ω turbulence model in ANSYS FLUENT v2023, with mesh refinement achieving y+ ≈ 1, captured detailed flow and heat transfer behavior. Results showed that higher Reynolds numbers significantly enhanced the heat transfer coefficient, with values increasing from 1096 W/m²·K at Reynold number of 9175 to 1438 W/m²·K at Reynolds number of 25911, reducing the axial cooling distance by up to 30%. This rapid cooling improved the cooling rate but led to a reduced lay-flat width (from 29.10 cm at a Reynolds number of 9175 to 27.50 cm at a Reynolds number of 25911) and thicker films. The tensile stress decreased from 25.25 MPa at a Reynolds number of 9175 to 20.84 MPa at a Reynolds number of 25911, reflecting the impact of turbulence on the polymer chain alignment. These findings emphasize the trade-offs between enhanced cooling efficiency and material properties, offering critical insights for optimizing blown film extrusion processes for improved quality and operational performance.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

publication:mjt

Publisher

Subject

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Civil Engineering, Building, Construction & Architecture Electrical & Electronics Engineering Engineering Materials Science & Nanotechnology Mechanical Engineering

Description

MAKARA Journal of Technology is a peer-reviewed multidisciplinary journal committed to the advancement of scholarly knowledge and research findings of the several branches of Engineering and Technology. The Journal publishes new results, original articles, reviews, and research notes whose content ...