Paper number 1238

CURING OF THICK ANGLE-BEND THERMOSET COMPOSITE PART: CURING PROCESS MODIFICATION FOR UNIFORM THICKNESS AND UNIFORM FIBER VOLUME FRACTION DISTRIBUTION

Malak I. Naji and Suong V. Hoa

Concordia Centre for Composites
Department of Mechanical Enigneering
Concordia University
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G 1M8

Summary Thermoset composite parts with angle-bend are more difficult to cure as compared to straight parts. The curvature at the bend usually creates fiber micro-buckling, non uniform fiber distribution across the thickness, non uniform fiber distribution along the length of the part, existence of voids, etc. The procedure normally used for the manufacturing of straight composite parts therefore needs to be modified for parts with angle bend. This paper presents the work done in the development of modified procedures for the manufacturing of good thermoset parts with angle bend. The work consists of two aspects: numerical modeling and experimental. For numerical modeling, finite difference method was used to model the governing equations and the curved geometry. A special boundary condition was also developed to handle the effect of bleeder materials. Modified procedures were developed from the results of the numerical model. Samples were manufactured using the modified procedure. AS4/3501-6 graphite/epoxy materials were used. Parts with much improved quality, as compared to parts made using the manufacturer's recommended procedure, were obtained. Uniform thickness distribution and uniform fiber distribution in the parts made with modified procedure were obtained.
Keywords angle-bend, thermoset, curing process modification, uniform fiber distribution, uniform thickness.

Theme : Processing, Integrated Design and Manufacturing ; Processing

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