Through-Process Modelling for Accurate Prediction of Long Term Anisotropic Mechanics in Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastics.

Abstract

Fibre reinforced thermoplastic (FRTP) materials offer great potential for, among others, weight and cost reduction in a wide range of applications. In this paper, consequences of fiber orientation-induced anisotropy (due to injection molding process) in the development of FRTP parts as well as predictive engineering techniques for part performance evaluation are discussed. A coupled simulation methodology will be used to predict the processing-microstructure-properties relation in FRTP parts, thereby enabling the ability to include fiber orientation-induced anisotropy. In parallel, long term fatigue data was collected on increasingly complex geometries for the purpose of model validation.