Elbow simulation

Simulation and Polymer Processing laboratory report 1

Group # 12:
Tayyaba Fatima 2016-PE-06
Mirza Aqeel Ahmad 2016-PE-44
Usama Imran 2016-PE-47
Abstract:
We have made PVC plastic elbow on solid works. For this we observe the behavior of
volumetric shrinkage and melt temperature. With the change in temperature volumetric
shrinkage changing in a range of 6% to about 14% at different temperatures. The main purpose
for PVC plastic elbow because it is dense compared to other plastics. Another advantage of
PVC plastic elbow because its material is easily available. PVC plastic elbow has very low
cost.it is very rigid and hard. it has extremely good tensile strength. Its melting temperature
range is between 100C to 260C so it has long useful life.

Introduction:
Elbows are joints used in piping system. An elbow provides the change in direction of the
material flow. When material enters in the elbow it. It pressure loses to the system by friction,
impact and re-acceleration of the material. When material enters the elbow due to inertia it
continues to move ahead then strike with wall of the elbow deflection takes place and material
moves towards the exiting direction of the elbow. The deflection is determined by the design of
the elbow. These are used in industrial and domestic purposes to reroute the regularly threaded
pipes. Elbows are available in three different directions.
45⁰C elbow:
These elbows are used to turn the pipeline in the 45⁰C direction.

Fig1:45⁰C PVC elbow

90⁰C elbow:
These are used to turn the pipeline in the 90⁰C direction.

Fig2:90⁰C PVC elbow

22.5⁰C elbow:
These are less commonly available and used.
Experiment designs:
Selection of the Part
Plastic PVC elbow is simulated using Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This elbow used to connect
from one pipe to another pipe. The fitting provides a means of changing the pipeline direction
90 degrees. It is used when velocity is not a problem. It is used to change the direction of pipe
by 90 degree and turns of round pipe. Elbow also made of metal, copper and other polymers but
these are expensive in comparison of PVC. PVC is good alternative of metal and other
polymers due to its characteristics such as cost effective and recycle able, environment friendly
and easy to injection molding.
So we selected elbow due to its huge use in pipeline and selected plastic PVC elbow part due to
its cost effective advantage and lighter in weight.
These are manufactured to used in flow lines of gases liquid in industrial processes.
These are manufactured to be used in process control system, instrumentation, and equipment
used in chemical, paper and pulp plants, petroleum, fluid power electronic plants.
Selection of the Polymer:
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been selected for the formation of plastic elbow. Polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) is a thermoplastic polymer and naturally its colour is white. It’s available in two
general form rigid PVC and flexible PVC. We selected rigid PVC because it’s hard, durable,
recycle and good tensile strength. PVC has many characteristics which make it different from
other polymers such as it abrasion resistant, light in weight, resistant to weathering, cost
effective, shock abrasion and high hardness.
Elbow also made of metal, copper and other polymers but these are expensive in comparison of
PVC. The main reason we selected PVC due to its minimum cost and light weight. PVC elbow
weight is low in comparison of metal elbow so transportation cost also decrease so it’s best
alternative.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) melting range 100 oC to 260 oC . It is easily injection molded rather
than other polymer. Rigid PVC we use in elbow formation tensile strength is 34 – 62 MPa and
specific gravity is 1.35 – 1.45. So PVC is good alternative of metal and other polymers due to
its characteristics that’s why we selected PVC for our injection molding part.
Processing conditions:
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) melting range 160 oC to 220 oC. We find the value of volume
shrinkage at temperature range of 190°C to 215°C. First we take 190 °C then 195°C, 200°C,
205°C, 210°C and 215°C. As we have to get different values of volumetric shrinkage as the
function of melt temperature change. And the default parameters are as follows:
Filling time=4.01sec
Mold temperature=40⁰C
Injection pressure limit=100MPa
Clamp force limit=100tonne
Results and discussion:
Fig1: Volumetric Shrinkage at 190°C

Fig 2: Volumetric Shrinkage at 200°C

Fig 3 : Volumetric Shrinkage at 205°C

Fig 4: Volumetric Shrinkage at 205°C

Fig 5: Volumetric Shrinkage at 210°C

Fig 6: Volumetric Shrinkage at 215°C

Readings:
Temperature ( °C ) Volumetric Shrinkage

190 7.8351
195 8.0793
200 8.3376
205 8.5934
210 8.8548
215 9.1166

Graph:
Temperature Vs Volumetric
shrinkage
9.2
VOLUMETRIC SHRINKAGE %

9
8.8
8.6
8.4
8.2
8
7.8
7.6
185 190 195 200 205 210 215 220
TEMPERATURE (⁰C)

Discussion:
Effect of melt temperature on volumetric shrinkage:
We have selected PVC for our product, PVC is an amorphous polymer. By increasing melt
temperature polymer shrinks but amorphous polymer shrinks less as compared to crystalline
polymers. In the case of an amorphous polymer by increasing temperature chains align
themselves but not completely align themselves that’s why amorphous material shrinks less.
Conclusion:
Polyvinyl chloride is the cheap easily available polymer to manufacture elbow which are used
widely in piping system in industries and also in houses. Due to its amorphous nature it shrinks
less.
Reference:
http://www.pipingstudy.com/elbow.html