Non-isothermal three-dimensional developments and process modeling of composites: Flow/thermal/cure formulations and experimental validations

N. D. Ngo, K. K. Tamma

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

For the process of resin transfer molding (RTM) of thick composite sections, multi-layer preforms with varying thermophysical characteristics across the different layers, or for geometrically complex mold geometries with varying thicknesses, the assumption of a thin shell-like geometry is no longer valid. The resin flow in the through thickness direction is no longer negligible and the current practice of treating the continuously moving flow fronts as two-dimensional and the temperature and cure as three-dimensional are not representative of the underlying physics. In view of these considerations, in the present study, the focus is on non-isothermal process modeling of RTM composites employing full three-dimensional modeling/analysis developments via effective computational techniques. Also, due to the highly advective nature of the non-isothermal conditions involving thermal and polymerization reactions, special considerations and stabilization techniques are also proposed in conjunction with a viable implicit pure finite element front tracking technique. Validations and comparisons with available experimental results are subsequently presented.

Original languageEnglish (US)
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Event38th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit 2000 - Reno, NV, United States
Duration: Jan 10 2000Jan 13 2000

Other

Other38th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit 2000
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityReno, NV
Period1/10/001/13/00

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Non-isothermal three-dimensional developments and process modeling of composites: Flow/thermal/cure formulations and experimental validations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this