Three-Dimensional Characterization of Pultruded Fiberglass-Epoxy Composite Materials

Abstract

Computer simulation is helpful for understanding the manufacturing of pultruded advanced composites. This research involves a three-dimensional examination of the temperature and thermochemical aspects for the manufacturing of cartesian fiberglass-epoxy composite materials. Comparison of the computer generated predictions were made with experimentally measured temperature profiles and the degree of cure obtained using a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). A numerical model employing Patankar's [1] control volume based finite difference technique was employed for solving the governing energy and species equations used to model the entire heating (moving and non-moving) sections of the pultruder. This computer model can be utilized to establish functional relationships between combinations of pull speed, fiber volume, and die temperature profiles and can be employed to refine the pultruder for manufacturing composites, indicating the importance of controlling the processing parameters in producing quality pultruded products. Since this computer simulation is independent of predetermined laboratory values in generating results, it can establish the guidelines in the design of an advanced pultrusion machine itself, and in orchestrating the future development of advanced composite materials.