Optimizing the deepdrawing of multilayered woven fabric composites

Deepdrawing experiments are performed on double-layered laminates consisting of glass/PP woven fabrics. The forming of woven composites is often accompanied by unwanted wrinkles and springback. By using a fractional factorial experimental design, the influence of preheating temperature, deepdrawing velocity, blankholder pressure, mould temperature and interlayer thickness on wrinkling and springback are assessed. The parameter values that result in an optimal quality of shape are determined. The effects are explained by linking them to the interply shear behaviour and the change in temperature during deepdrawing. It can be concluded that a high preheat temperature, a high deepdrawing speed, a medium blank holder pressure, a low tool temperature and the addition of extra polypropylene between the layers leads to a wrinkle free and fully formed composite.