Numerical fiber reorientation modeling for in-plane shear behavior of woven thermoplastic composite laminates
Topic(s) : Material and Structural Behavior - Simulation & Testing
Co-authors :
Ramak HOSSEIN ABADI (BELGIUM), Kalliopi-Artemi KALTEREMIDOU (BELGIUM), Danny VAN HEMELRIJCKAbstract :
Thermoforming has been increasingly used to produce thermoplastic composite parts with complex shapes in the past few years. In addition to their lightweight properties, thermoformed composite parts are a promising choice for the automotive industry because of their design flexibility, mechanical performance, and cost-efficiency over time [1]. The ability to recycle thermoplastic composite parts is an additional benefit, which aligns with sustainability goals.
During the thermoforming process of the composite parts, the angular rotation between yarns is significant, making shear the dominant deformation mode [2]. Fiber reorientation, which is often described by the shear angle, influences the mechanical properties of the component.
Numerical simulations can be used to simulate and optimize process parameters. Reflecting the complex behavior of fibers during the thermoforming process is an essential step in simulating the process, which can be done by developing a constitutive model. As the dominant deformation mode of composite parts during forming is in-plane shear, such a material model should address this behavior [3]. The related tests to develop the material model should expose the samples to similar conditions experienced during forming. Bias extension and picture frame tests are well-known tests in the in-plane shear characterization of textile reinforcements and composite laminates.
This research compares the numerical simulations and experimental results of the in-plane shear behavior of spread-tow woven structured flax/PP thermoplastic composites. The experimental part of the paper is based on bias-extension experiments. An Instron universal tensile testing machine with a 10-kN load cell is used to perform the tests. The study employs a 3D digital image correlation (DIC) technique to capture local deformations during the test. This method provides full-field displacement and strain distribution on the specimen surface as it deforms.
Additionally, the study uses the Finite Element (FE) software Abaqus/Explicit to simulate the test. A VUMAT user material subroutine is implemented to take into account the change in fiber orientation as a result of in-plane shear strains. Next, the study compares the force-shear angle and shear angle-displacement variations derived from the test and the numerical model. The comparison is initially conducted between experimental data and the numerical model incorporating fiber reorientation, followed by the examination of the impact of ignoring fiber reorientation on the results.
During the thermoforming process of the composite parts, the angular rotation between yarns is significant, making shear the dominant deformation mode [2]. Fiber reorientation, which is often described by the shear angle, influences the mechanical properties of the component.
Numerical simulations can be used to simulate and optimize process parameters. Reflecting the complex behavior of fibers during the thermoforming process is an essential step in simulating the process, which can be done by developing a constitutive model. As the dominant deformation mode of composite parts during forming is in-plane shear, such a material model should address this behavior [3]. The related tests to develop the material model should expose the samples to similar conditions experienced during forming. Bias extension and picture frame tests are well-known tests in the in-plane shear characterization of textile reinforcements and composite laminates.
This research compares the numerical simulations and experimental results of the in-plane shear behavior of spread-tow woven structured flax/PP thermoplastic composites. The experimental part of the paper is based on bias-extension experiments. An Instron universal tensile testing machine with a 10-kN load cell is used to perform the tests. The study employs a 3D digital image correlation (DIC) technique to capture local deformations during the test. This method provides full-field displacement and strain distribution on the specimen surface as it deforms.
Additionally, the study uses the Finite Element (FE) software Abaqus/Explicit to simulate the test. A VUMAT user material subroutine is implemented to take into account the change in fiber orientation as a result of in-plane shear strains. Next, the study compares the force-shear angle and shear angle-displacement variations derived from the test and the numerical model. The comparison is initially conducted between experimental data and the numerical model incorporating fiber reorientation, followed by the examination of the impact of ignoring fiber reorientation on the results.