Abstract
With the growing demand for high-performance polymer composites, conventional single- and twin-screw extruders often fall short of meeting industrial requirements for effective mixing and compounding. This research investigates the kinematic behavior of the plasticization and transport mechanisms in tri-screw extruders when subjected to a vibrational force field. The study specifically examines how applying vibrational force technology can improve the efficiency of polymer mixing. Vibration force field means that in a three-screw mechanism, an axial vibration is applied to the middle screw to produce a vibration force field. Through the development of mathematical and physical models, this study analyzed the motion dynamics of the screw and the influence of a vibrational force field on polymer transport and mixing efficiency. The findings indicate that, in comparison to traditional twin-screw extruders, tri-screw systems can achieve higher shear and elongational rates, leading to enhanced polymer mixing uniformity. Furthermore, applying an axial vibrational force field significantly influenced the shear and elongational strain rates of the material, thereby optimizing its rheological behavior and processing quality. This research not only establishes a theoretical foundation for the design and optimization of tri-screw extruders but also opens new pathways for the efficient processing of high-viscosity composite materials.