Influence of multiple process parameters on the friction coefficient of prepregs and machine learning prediction method

During the forming process of composites, the friction-sliding behavior between prepreg ply-ply and ply-tool may lead to defects such as wrinkles and pores, which seriously affect the mechanical properties of the components. However, there are many factors affecting the inter-ply friction of the prepreg plies in the forming process of complex components. The existing theoretical models contain insufficient process parameters, resulting in the accuracy of forming process simulation not meeting high-quality forming requirements. In this paper, a friction test method for carbon fiber prepregs was designed for multiple process parameters. The influence of sliding velocity, normal force, viscosity, surface roughness, contact material, and fiber orientation on the friction coefficient were studied. Taking the typical fiber orientations of \text0^\texto\text/4\text5^\texto\text/9\text0^\texto as examples, the inter-ply friction mechanism in different fiber orientations was revealed. In order to predict the friction coefficient of prepreg corresponding to multiple process parameters rapidly and accurately, a prediction model for the friction coefficient of prepreg was established using the support vector regression (SVR) method. Taking the prepreg ply-ply friction behavior with relative fiber orientation of \text3\text0^\texto\text/\text0^\texto\text and \text6\text0^\texto\text/\text0^\texto\text as examples, the experiments and predictions were conducted, and the error was less than 9%.