Bond Joint Analysis of Thermoplastic Composite Made from Stacked Tailored Blanks

Abstract

The interlaminar properties of a bond joint of stacked layers in a carbon fibre-reinforced composite with a thermoplastic matrix were evaluated under static loading. The un-precracked tension specimen with an external reinforcing layer was analysed in detail in the area of a bond joint. A detailed finite element method (FEM) analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of the bond joint shape on the interlaminar cohesive forces, which are simulated using the cohesive zone model (CZM). Simple lap and tapered joints were analysed. Continuum and shell elements were utilized in the FEM analysis, and the delamination results obtained using both solutions were compared to each other; however, no significant influence of the bond joint shape on the delamination onset was observed. The FEM analysis was supported using an experimental test on an un-precracked specimen made from prepreg with a carbon fibre fabric and a polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) matrix.

Effect of the Test Procedure and Thermoplastic Composite Resin Type on the Curved Beam Strength

“…Softening by heating further enables welding of subcomponents. This leads to the elimination of fasteners and adhesives, as is showed in [ 12 , 13 ]. The requested performance of structural TPC parts can be easily achieved by stacking tailored blanks with a combination of the thermoforming process—this is demonstrated, for example, on the thermoplastic rib in [ 14 ].…”

Numerical evaluations of strain field modification induced by production flaws in loaded composite structures

“…For delaminated zone in the centre, the twin coincident elements per thickness were adopted: first element to simulate the lay-up from bottom to delamination, second from delamination to top (Fig. 1) [7].…”