Modelling of Microencapsulated Polymer Shell Solidification

Abstract

A finite element transport model has been developed and implemented to complement experimental efforts to improve the quality of ICF target shells produced via controlled-mass microencapsulation. The model provides an efficient means to explore the effect of processing variables on the dynamics of shell dimensions, concentricity, and phase behavior. Comparisons with experiments showed that the model successfully predicts the evolution of wall thinning and core/wall density differences. The model was used to efficiently explore and identify initial wall compositions and processing temperatures which resulted in concentricity improvements from 65 to 99%. The evolution of trace amounts of water entering into the shell wall was also tracked in the simulations. Comparisons with phase envelope estimations from modified UNIFAP calculations suggest that the water content trajectory approaches the two-phase region where vacuole formation via microphase separation may occur.

Meeting Name

MRS Fall Meeting (1994: Nov. 28-Dec. 1, Boston, MA)

Department(s)

Physics

Keywords and Phrases

Computational methods; Dynamics; Encapsulation; Finite element method; Fusion reactions; Mathematical models; Phase separation; Plastic products; Polymers; Solidification, Inertial confinement fusion target shells; Microencapsulated polymer shell solidification; Phase envelope estimations, Shells (structures)

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0272-9172

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1995 Materials Research Society (MRS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 1995

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS