| Abstract: | This paper deals with the measurement and interpretation of pressures and temperatures produced by the mixing of a rubber compound in the chamber of an internal mixer equipped with interlocking rotors. Pressure transducers and infrared/fiber optic temperature sensors were sited flush with the inner surface of the mixing chamber of a Francis Shaw KO Intermix of 2 L chamber volume. The variation of pressure with transducer position In the chamber wall and with rotor position was measured for selected fill factors and rotor speeds at “equilibrium” conditions (quasi-static power requirement for the mixer) and at intervals during a complete mixing cycle. Two rotor designs were studied. Interpretation of the results was carried out with reference to biconical rotor rheometer measurements on the mixed rubber compounds and by reference to four regimes of viscoelastic behavior identified for two-roll mill mixing. A basic flow analysis was carried out by use of the lubrication approximation in conjunction with an isothermal power-law model. |
