The interaction between multiple fibers and air flows within the quench box of a glass fiber spinning process is a very difficult phenomenon to analyze from a theoretical perspective. In the process, continuous strands of fibers are drawn by extruding molten polymers through spinnerette nozzles. The fibers are formed by the balance of the tension from a winder and gravity. Fiber attenuation and interaction with quenching air flows characterizes this process. Quenching air flow pattern and fiber temperature are significantly altered by the entrainment of air due to the drag induced by fiber motion. To aid in the understanding of these complex interactions, Fluent Inc. has developed a fiber module add-on to its FLUENT software.

Steady state melt fiber spinning with a cross stream quenching air flow is successfully simulated using the fiber module. The diameter, temperature and velocity of fibers as functions of distance from the nozzles are calculated together with the flow field in the spinnerette chamber.

Fiber trajectories colored by temperature. The air flow vectors in the quench box.