Effect of shim configuration on internal die flows for non-Newtonian coating liquids in slot coating process

In this study, a strategy for designing optimal shim configuration inside a slot die is suggested to assure the uniform coating flow distribution of various non-Newtonian shear-thinning liquids at the die exit in a slot coating system. Flow patterns of non-Newtonian liquids inside the slot die, via three-dimensional computations, have been compared using various shim geometries which can adjust the flow region in a slot manifold. The rather non-uniform (parabolic) velocity distributions of shear-thinning liquids at the die exit under the basic shim condition could be effectively flattened by the modification of shim geometry without the change of die manifold structure. Dimensions of hybrid shims for controlling flow features at edge and center regions within slit channel are positively tuned, according to the shear-thinning level of coating liquids.