Finite element analysis on the buckling property of variable angle tow laminates

As a new kind of variable angle tow (VAT) placement technology, continuous tow shearing (CTS) could significantly overcome process-induced defects in the traditional automated fiber placement (AFP). Taking the VAT laminates made by CTS and AFP respectively as research objects, the finite element analysis of their buckling property were carried out. Under the axial end shortening, based on the stack sequence90±<0|75>_4s, the stress resultant distribution of CTS laminate and AFP laminate were compared. After that, the effect of minimum turning radius on these two placement technologies was demonstrated. The result shows that CTS laminate performs better than AFP laminate on buckling for its variable thickness character, and AFP's usage is restricted when the laminate dimension is small for the constraint of minimum turning radius, while CTS is suitable for all kinds of dimensions.