Abstract
Modeling and simulation of epoxy/synthetic fiber composites has gained a lot of attention in the last two decades, because of the numerous industries that employ such materials. In the last two decades, improvements of computational power have incremented the precision to simulate composite structures under multiple phenomena. Since the beginning of composite simulation, the transition from microscale to mesoscale and then to macroscale and vice versa has been one of the key issues to perform robust calculations and to obtain accurate results. In this chapter, we collect the improvements of modeling and simulation of epoxy/synthetic fiber composites by tackling two main topics for researchers: (1) interaction of resin fibers during manufacturing process and (2) mechanical performance of consolidated composite. Both topics are addressed in the three scales, because material and structure, in the case of composites, are created at the same time. Fist part deals with the simulation of liquid composite manufacturing (LCM) by approaching the interaction of a liquid with transient viscosity (epoxy resin) and a porous media (synthetic fiber preform). Weaving, fiber waviness, closure factor, and type of fiber define the preform permeability, resulting in impregnation paths and finally defining the final physical properties of the composite. Also, resin manufacturing parameters, such as injection pressure, temperature, and inlet-outlet position, influence the resin flow path, and in consequence the surface quality, the appearance of inner flaws, and, finally, defining the performance of the consolidated material. The main goal of this type of numerical simulation is to improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process and to obtain a good-quality product. Second part deals with the simulation of mechanical performance of fiber composites, by approaching multi-scale models where the micromechanics, cohesive conditions between fibers and matrix, define the unit cell behavior (tows, weave, and resin), and then the macroscopic properties are calculated. Stratified theory and failure criteria coupled with damage mechanics at the mesoscale currently result in robust simulations where delamination and crack path can be identified. Moreover, cohesive zone models plus extended finite element method (XFEM) is currently used to compute crack propagation or even fatigue. This chapter wants to be a summary where the reader can find the current state-of-the-art and novel trends for modeling and simulating epoxy/synthetic fiber composites.
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Acknowledgments
Mauricio Torres-Arellano and Saul Piedra thank the opportunity to write and share our experience of 25 years combined in the field of modeling and numerical simulation of composite structures by CFD and FEM.
Some images show results from our latest projects, mainly funded by National Council for Science and Technology of Mexico (CONACYT) and Mexican Space Agency (AEM).
The authors also give appreciation to the Program “Cátedras CONACYT.”
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Torres-Arellano, M., Piedra, S. (2022). Modeling and Simulation of Epoxy/Synthetic Fiber Composites. In: Mavinkere Rangappa, S., Parameswaranpillai, J., Siengchin, S., Thomas, S. (eds) Handbook of Epoxy/Fiber Composites . Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8141-0_15-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8141-0_15-1
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