Spray Processing of Polymers and Complex Fluids: PARC’s Filament Extension Atomizer Technology

Abstract

Polymers and similar complex fluids are notoriously difficult to spray process due to their strain hardening behavior in extension. In most cases, strain hardening leads to the formation of stable filaments that resist break-up into droplets. PARC’s filament extension atomizer (FEA) is an innovative solution that addresses this problem. FEA takes advantage of the strain hardening behavior of polymers and elastocapillary thinning of the filaments in the high throughput generation of droplets with a narrow size distribution. This technology could be disruptive and could enable the creation of new platforms with a wide range of applications including additive manufacturing. It could also change the formulation paradigm for consumer and specialty products intended for spraying. In this contribution, we will present a few case studies on different materials and applications where FEA can be applied and how it can change the way we think about spray processing.