Calculation of the Thermal Stress when Subjected to an Electric Current on Glass and Carbon Fibers with Copper Coatings

Abstract

Two types of fibers (carbon and glass) are considered, as an object of research, on the surface of which a copper coating is applied with a thickness of 100 nm using magnetron sputtering technology. A finite element model of a coated fiber was built and simulated in the COMSOL Multiphysics software. As a result of the calculations, the values of the temperatures, arising during the passage of electric current on the surface of the fibers and copper coating, have been determined. This calculation makes it possible to simulate the thermal heating modes occurring in parts of fiberglass and carbon fiber reinforced plastics in the process of curing. As a result of calculations, it was found that copper coating significantly improves electrical conductivity, which is especially important for glass fibers, since its conductivity is considerably lower than carbon. The use of copper coating in the production of parts from fiberglass allows to regulate their thermophysical properties within a wide range.