Wall friction effects and viscosity reduction of gel propellants in conical extrusion

Influence of wall friction on mean apparent viscosity reduction of gel propellants in conical radial flow extrusion is investigated analytically and numerically. A parametric study has been conducted to evaluate the effects of injector geometry, rheological constants, wall friction factor and volumetric flow rate on fluid viscosity profile. Gel propellants were modeled by the non-Newtonian power law constitutive relation. The influence of wall friction on the mean apparent viscosity, on wall slip and on pressure gradient is found to be substantial. Central results are supported by asymptotic analysis for small cone angles and low wall friction. Contact is made with lubrication type flow pattern.