Physics-based film blowing modeling to enhance empirical film property predictions from polymer and processing parameters

In this paper physics-based modeling of the film blowing process is combined with empirical film property relations. A hybrid approach for polymer processing-property prediction is provided. A continuum mechanics model is implemented to enhance the nominal fabrication input with calculated stresses, strains, and related parameters. Nominal and calculated parameters are candidate inputs for empirical property prediction. Data is used from various (linear low-density polyethylene) LLDPE resins, run under different conditions at laboratory and commercial-scale film blowing lines. The results based on temperature-dependent Newtonian constitutive relation indicate that the strategy lead to significant improvement of a quality of prediction of certain film properties.