Finite element analysis for phase change problem in polymer processing

Transient analysis of heat transfer with phase change in thermoplastic injection molding plays an important role to predict solidification in many material-manufacturing processes. Solidification results in a moving solid-liquid interface during filling. Two approaches of the finite element method, namely the apparent heat capacity model and the enthalpy model, for the solution of the Stefan problem in a fixed domain are examined. A two-dimensional, transient, non-newtonian and non-isothermal thermal field of a polymer in a rectangular domain is selected as study case.