Laminar flow Laminar flow, sometimes known as streamline flow, occurs when a fluid flows in parallel layers, with

no disruption between the layers. In laminar flow the motion of the particles of fluid is very orderly with all particles moving in straight lines parallel to the pipe walls. Laminar flow tends to occur at lower velocities, below the onset of turbulent flow. Turbulent flow is a less orderly flow regime. The dimensionless Reynolds number is an important parameter in the equations that describe whether flow conditions lead to laminar or turbulent flow. Reynolds number (Re) is the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces. In the case of flow through a straight pipe with a circular cross-section, at a Reynolds number below the critical value of approximately 2040 fluid motion will ultimately be laminar, whereas at larger Reynolds number the flow can be turbulent. In polymer processing, the polymer melt viscosity is generally very high. As a result, the Reynolds number in polymer processing is very small typically .001. therefore in polymer processing the process melt flow is always laminar. Flow of polymeric fluid through different geometry Flow through a Rectangular Channel transverse circulating (secondary) flow patterns in each of the four quadrants of the rectangle are observed when the fluid has high Reynolds number. But well-characterized rectilinear flow patterns are observed for extremely slow motion fluid that is characteristic of polymer melt flow having a very low Reynolds number (i.e., below 0.001). Flow in the Entrance Region of a Slit Die When fluid enters a tube from a large reservoir, the velocity profile becomes fully developed at a certain distance and also circulatory (secondary) motion was observed at the corners of the reservoir section preceding a cylindrical tube or slit die. Flow through a Converging or Tapered Channel a polymer melt circulating at the corners of the reservoir section. So it is best to design a die to have a conical entrance in the reservoir section. So that no secondary flow is observed because the angle of the converging channel is apparently smaller than the natural streamline angle of the melt flowing through the die.