A finite element analysis of the squeeze flow of an elasto-viscoplastic paste material

A finite element analysis of squeeze flow has been implemented for a material that exhibits elasto-viscoplasticity. The formulation is based upon the assumption that linear elastic deformation occurs prior to yield and that the yield surface is strain rate hardening as defined by an associated viscoplastic flow rule. Both no-slip and lubricated wall boundary conditions are considered. The numerical simulation results are compared with experimental measurements involving a model elasto-viscoplastic material for which the material parameters were derived from tensile and ram extrusion measurements. Satisfactory agreement was obtained for the compressive forces as a function of displacement, the radial displacement fields and the wail normal and shear stress distributions. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V