Microstructural analysis of through-thickness compaction in dry fibrous reinforcements

The project aims to analyze the through-thickness compaction of dry fibrous reinforcements at the mesoscopic scale. Predicting how fiber tows deform during the compression of woven fabrics is important in resin injection processes because textile deformation plays an important role on permeability. Fiber orientation governs also mechanical performance. Hence, compaction represents a key issue that will be investigated experimentally by X-ray microtomography. Fibrous specimens will be scanned to produce 3D voxel images of the textile architecture. Then, by using the image processing software CompoCT under development at Polytechnique Montreal, the fiber tows and the polymer matrix will be classified and the tows in contact separated to reconstruct the geometric stucture of the composite. The geometric model represents precisely the details of the fabric before and after compression with a description of the mesopores between fiber tows, and the geometric dimensions and weave pattern of the yarns. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

François Trochu

Student:

Partner:

Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Advanced Manufacturing; Manufacturing and Construction; Technology

University:

École Polytechnique de Montréal

Program: