Rapid prototyping by reactive extrusion:: Mixing process

Rapid prototyping by reactive extrusion corresponds to a novel concept of rapid prototyping that produces thermosetting parts through a low-pressure extrusion process at room temperature of a mixture of polyol and isocyanate. One of this process key aspect is an appropriate mixture of these chemical compounds, performed at appropriate chambers (mixing-heads) with high pressure conditions, to create high turbulence. This paper presents a computer simulation study, developed to select the most suited configuration of the mixing head. Its position and orientation of the entrance channels is crucial to create appropriate mixing conditions that will enable to improve the curing process, so producing more homogeneous parts with better properties.