3D chaotic mixing application for polymer production

Abstract

Industrial mixing processes have garnered significant attention over the past decade due to the critical role that efficient and rapid mixing plays in the production of innovative materials. The methodology employed in mixing fundamentally influences the physical and chemical attributes of the resultant mixture. As such, various mixing techniques have been developed, aiming to produce polymers with tailored properties for specific applications, including tissue engineering, artificial muscles, and soft robotics. In this study, the mixing process of RTV 2710 silicone rubber and Catalyst CX catalyst was conducted using the Halvorsen, Newton-Leipnik, Hadley, and Sprott A. systems. Numerical values were derived by solving chaotic differential equations associated with each system. The speed of the DC motor driving the mixing propeller was modulated chaotically to optimize mixing efficiency. To enhance energy efficiency, energy consumption was monitored, revealing that the Hadley-2 signal was the most energy-efficient among the chaotic signals tested. Samples were prepared using SCARA(Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm) to trace trajectories for all chaotic systems, followed by tensile tests to evaluate their mechanical properties. The Sprott A. chaotic system yielded the highest average force and tensile strength. Furthermore, samples were produced with constant position and varying velocities-specifically Hadley 2 and Sprott A. position combined with Hadley 2 velocity-and subjected to tensile tests. The results demonstrated that the combination of Sprott A. position and Hadley 2 velocity produced samples with superior average force and tensile strength.