Influence of feature size of micro-scale channel on ink flow characteristics

Under the micro-scale condition,feature size of the channel is one of the main factors influencing the fluid flow characteristics. In printing process,ink thickness in the extrusion zone formed by two ink rollers may reach micron scale. Compared with macroscopic fluid,the velocity field and the pressure field of fluid may change when the feature size of fluid channel reaches micron scale. In order to control printing quality,it is necessary to research the influence of feature size on ink flow characteristics in micro scale. This paper analyzes it in theory,and then numerical simulation of an ink flow model with different feature sizes is carried out in no slip condition. The influence of the feature size on the ink flow characteristics and the wall shear force are obtained. Besides,the ink flow model with different feature sizes is simulated numerically in slip condition,and the influence of feature size on ink flow characteristics is obtained. Finally,by comparing and analyzing the above results,it can be concluded that both the ink velocity and pressure at the inlet of the extrusion zone are inversely proportional to the feature sizes whether in slip condition or not. And the ink velocity in slip condition is larger than that without slip,the pressure at the inlet of the extrusion zone is less than that in no slip condition. Within the micro-scale range,the ink velocity difference between the two conditions cannot be ignored. Therefore,it is necessary to consider slip when analyzing the influence of feature size of micro-scale channel on ink flow characteristics.