AUTOCLAVE CURING OF THERMOSETTING COMPOSITES - PROCESS MODELING FOR THE CURE ASSEMBLY

The heat transfer process involved in the autoclave curing of fiber-reinforced thermosetting composites is investigated numerically. In the analysis, the cure assembly is assumed to consist of a tool plate, composite laminate, and bleeder/vacuum bag. Thus, the heat transfer between the composite and the autoclave environment takes place through materials of different thermal properties. The temperature distribution thus obtained is utilized in conjunction with the models formulated by Loos and Springer [2] to calculate the cure parameters such as degree of cure, resin viscosity, and ply compaction. Four important issues arise from the process control and optimization (i.e., the effects of heating rate, laminate thickness, bleeder material, and convective heating) are addressed in this study. Based on the results obtained, recommendations for possible process improvement are made.