Multiscale analysis of the correlation of processing parameters on viscidity of composites fabricated by automated fiber placement

Viscidity is an important physical indicator for assessing fluidity of resin that is beneficial to contact resin with the fibers effectively and reduce manufacturing defects during automated fiber placement (AFP) process. However, the effect of processing parameters on viscidity evolution is rarely studied during AFP process. In this paper, viscidities under different scales are analyzed based on multi-scale analysis method. Firstly, viscous dissipation energy (VDE) within meso-unit under different processing parameters is assessed by using finite element method (FEM). According to multi-scale energy transfer model, meso-unit energy is used as the boundary condition for microscopic analysis. Furthermore, molecular structure of micro-system is built by molecular dynamics (MD) method. And viscosity curves are then obtained by integrating stress autocorrelation function (SACF) with time. Finally, the correlation characteristics of processing parameters to viscosity are revealed by using gray relational analysis method (GRAM). A group of processing parameters is found out to achieve the stability of viscosity and better fluidity of resin.