Multi-field coupled numerical simulation for curing process of composites with time-dependent properties of materials

According to the interrelationship of the complex physical and chemical processes during the curing process of thermoset resin composites, a multi-field coupled two-dimensional model based on the time-dependent properties of materials during the curing process of composites was established. The model incorporated three typical existing sub models for curing process of composites: thermo-chemical model, resin viscosity model and resin flow model. On the basis, the time-dependent properties of material performances during the curing process were introduced into multi-field coupled calculation model. According to the comparison with experiment data in reference, the model established was proved to possess relative superior reliability. The curing process of AS4/3501-6 composite laminates were numerical simulated. The effects of the variation of fiber volume fraction and time-dependent properties of material performances on the temperature, the degree of cure, the pressure of resin and other parameters during curing process was studied attentively. The results show that when taking the changes of fiber volume fraction and time-dependent properties of material parameters into consideration, the peak value of temperature at the center of composite laminate decreases significantly, and the change of resin pressure verses time lags.