Three-Dimensional Thermo-Chemo-Mechanical Coupled Curing Analysis for the Filament Wound Composite Shell.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Carbon fiber resin-based composites are vital for manufacturing composite shells.
• Curing processes can induce temperature and cure degree gradients, leading to thermal strains.
• Resin cure shrinkage during solidification is a primary cause of residual stresses and strains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a three-dimensional thermo-chemo-mechanical coupled curing model for composite shells.
• To investigate the evolution of temperature, cure degree, residual stress, and strain during composite shell solidification.
• To identify the key factors influencing residual stress and strain generation.

Main Methods:

• Obtained curing property parameters and elastic modulus of HCM-2184 resin via curing dynamic and tensile tests.
• Developed a coupled thermo-chemo-mechanical curing model incorporating heat release and shrinkage using the CHILE (α) elastic model.
• Numerically simulated the curing process of the composite shell.

Main Results:

• The study confirmed the autocatalytic reaction nature of the tested resin.
• Heat accumulation within thin composite shells during curing was found to be minimal.
• Resin curing shrinkage was identified as a significant contributor to residual stress and strain generation.

Conclusions:

• Resin curing shrinkage is a critical factor in the development of residual stresses and strains in composite shells.
• The developed model provides insights into the complex curing behavior of composite shells.
• Accurate modeling of resin shrinkage is essential for predicting and mitigating residual stresses in composite manufacturing.