Non-newtonian flow in deformable porous media: Modeling and simulations of compression molding processes

The aim of this study is to develop a mathematical model based on power law fluid using mixture theory. The resulting system is solved numerically and graphs are produced to highlight the unidirectional compression molding process. In this industrial process, a piston operates on the top of the pile to compress the preimpregnated layers. The moving domain problem is modeled using Eulerian coordinates, and then transformed to fixed domain using Lagrangian coordinates. The dynamics are controlled by velocity of piston or pressure applied on the piston. We find that there is a homogeneous increase in solid volume fraction for shear thickening fluid as compared to shear thinning fluid.