A simplified method for introducing the Cross viscosity law in the numerical simulation of Hele Shaw flow

The aim of this paper is to analyse the influence of the polymer viscosity on the flow during the injection moulding process. A new method has been developed in order to easily represent a viscosity law exhibiting a Newtonian plateau at low shear rates, and a power-law dependence at high shear rates. In particular, the Cross law can be used without involving a dramatic increase of the computational cost through multiple quadratures in the gapwise direction during pressure calculations. Several examples are analysed and discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.