The Characterisation and Finite-Element Analysis of a Polymer under Hot Pressing

Finite-element simulation of the hot pressing process has been performed using ABAQUS. The viscoelastic polymer (polymethyl methacrylate) used in this study has mechanical properties that depend on the temperature and working pressure. Based on the nonlinear viscoelastic model, the polymer material behaviour is simulated successfully with the data obtained from material tests. Simulation results conform to related experiments, indicating that the approach can accurately predict pressure distribution within a polymer hot pressing.