Simulation of consolidation-driven defects in woven fabric pre-pregs

Woven fabric-reinforced polymers (WFRP) are composite materials consisting of interwoven fibers dispersed in a continuous polymeric matrix phase. Lightweight and yet very strong mechanical characteristics of WFRPs are, however, often disadvantaged by poor quality due to manufacturing defects. The proposed project aims to exploit the simulation tools developed at University of Bristol to simulate the consolidation-driven defects in fabric prepregs (pre-impregnated with resin). This objective is planned to be fulfilled by conducting a series of step-wise advanced numerical simulations as well as experimental studies, namely, the friction model developed at UBC will be combined with the Bristol consolidation model to simulate the generation of defects in the consolidation process. The manufacture modeling framework resulting from this research will provide a straightforward wrinkling control/design tool to improve product quality of fabric-reinforced composites. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Abbas Milani

Student:

Partner:

University of Bristol

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Advanced Manufacturing; Aerospace; Automotive

University:

The University of British Columbia - Okanagan

Program: