Modelling the deformation of continuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastics subjected to hygrothermal loading. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grätzl, Thomas; Hille, Manuel; Schramm, Norbert; Kroll, Lothar
• Is Part Of: Journal of reinforced plastics and composites. Volume 37:Number 20(2018)
• Page Start: 1227
• Page End: 1245
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Thermoplastic composites -- fibre-reinforced thermoplastics -- modelling -- classical laminate theory -- hygrothermal loading -- automotive; Reinforced plastics -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; 620.1923
• DOI: 10.1177/0731684418755551
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0731-6844

Abstract

For the application of continuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastics in car body structures it has to be ensured that they can pass through the automotive paint shop. There are substantial chemical, hygroscopic and thermal impacts throughout this process that can affect the shape of such components. The aim of this study is to model the deformation behaviour of continuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastics under hygrothermal loading. Relaxation tests were performed to assess temperature-dependent and viscoelastic behaviour. Input parameters for temperature and moisture distribution were determined experimentally and computed using finite difference method. A straightforward approach based on classical laminate theory is presented that comprises anisotropic viscoelasticity as well as hygroscopic, thermal and polymer-chemical effects. The introduced phenomenological model was successfully used to describe the deformation of five different laminate layups both dry and fully saturated with moisture.