Optimization of the Composite Cure Process Based on the Thermo-Kinetic Model

Abstract

High performance composite structures produced by the processes at which the consolidation of the fibres and matrix is done at the same time as the component is shaped. Full curing schedule include a pre-warming for resin liquefaction, next apply of pressure to remove the gas bubbles, and finally consolidation of resin at elevated temperature to its full polymerization. The change in the state of the composite should be made as possible uniformly across the thick-walled products. The complexity of process control is due to unobservability of the rheological state of material in a closed volume of a mould. In this paper we propose a mathematical model of epoxy-based thick-walled composite structure curing. PDE system linking a kinetic equation of the resin cure with heat transfer equation, take into account a phase transition from liquid to gel and further to the solid state. On the basis of transient analysis of the developed model we optimize the temperature control law.

In Situ Thermoset Cure Sensing: A Review of Correlation Methods

“…Additionally, they are frequently required to be used in coordination with other sensing devices, such as those detailed in the below sections, to normalise for temperature effects [ 64 , 65 ] or as a supplemental monitoring technique for data collection. Thermocouples have also been used to monitor resin filling for infusion processes [ 66 ] and are commonly used to monitor temperature applications during process optimisation activities [ 23 , 67 , 68 ]. A major challenge of thermocouples is that to directly measure the material state, they must be embedded into the part, and some applications (such as those which require specific surface finishes) are unable to accept embedded sensors.…”

Simulation analysis of curing of filament wound carbon fiber composite shell

“…And the mechanical properties of the thermosetting resin such as elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio will keep changing with the DOC, which will eventually lead to uneven distribution of curing degree and temperature overshoot. The resin degradation and internal residual stresses can also be present and affect material properties [2] . To predict the curing deformation and residual stresses in fiber-wound composites, it is necessary to understand the distribution and evolution of the temperature and DOC during the curing process.…”

A new cure kinetics model to simulate thermomechanical behavior of polymeric sealants for automotive applications

“…where T is temperature, k(T) is the Arrhenius equation, and f(α) is the reaction model [5]. The cure level can be obtained numerically by integrating this cure kinetics model over time [6][7][8][9][10][11]. The nth order and autocatalytic models are typical examples of a single-step cure kinetics model [9].…”