A multiscale analysis framework for formation and failure of the thermoplastic interface. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lei, Ming; Ren, Shuailong; Wang, Shiyu; Zhao, Zeang; Xiao, Jinyou; Wen, Lihua; Hou, Xiao
• Is Part Of: Mechanics of materials. Volume 168(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Thermoplastic resin -- Fracture toughness -- Process modeling -- Forming; Strength of materials -- Periodicals; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Résistance des matériaux -- Périodiques; Mécanique appliquée -- Périodiques; Mechanics, Applied; Strength of materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mechmat.2022.104270
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-6636

Abstract

Abstract: Formation and failure of the interface determine the quality of thermoplastic composite structures. However, accurate prediction of interface strength evolution during advanced manufacture is still challenging due to the multiscale feature of thermoplastics, which hinders the design of composites processing and analysis of structure reliability. Here, we develop a multiscale model for formation and failure of thermoplastic interface. The reptation model of polymer chains is used to describe the chain density evolution at the interface during manufacture. Then, by releasing the rigid-bond assumption in the traditional freely-jointed-chain model, the Lennard-Jones potential function is incorporated to model polymer chain scission. Finally, chain-length dispersity, individual chain scission, and chain density reduction are incorporated to model the interface failure. The model predictions are in good agreement with the experimental results of composites welding, indicating that the developed model can be used to analyze the interface strength evolution of thermoplastics in the advanced manufacturing processes. Highlights: A bottom-up multiscale modeling framework is proposed for formation and failure of the thermoplastic interface. The chain-length and temperature dependent reptation model is used to describe the chain density evolution at the interface. The chain density, the chain scission, and the chain-length dispersity are incorporated to model the interface fracture. The developed model is used to investigate the advanced manufacturing processes involving the welding of thermoplastics.