(A) study on permeability prediction of fiber-reinforced composite materials based on the representative volume element

Abstract

Although the material properties of fiber-reinforced thermoset composite material are largely influenced by the manufacturing processes, the design of the processes has so far mainly relied on experiences since the cure reaction of the resin involves complex physical phenomena. In particular, in the manufacturing process of thermoset composites reinforced with continuous fibers, it is essential to remove internal voids by controlling resin flow through fiber bundles in a high-temperature environment to improve physical properties. Especially, accurate prediction of permeability which represents the resin flow through fiber bundles is essential in the control of the resin flow. Unidirectional continuous fiber-reinforced composites have permeability in parallel and perpendicular to fibers directions in general. However, since the composite laminate with varying stacking angles has permeability in thickness direction different from perpendicular to fibers direction, accurate prediction of permeability in the laminate thickness direction is required. Therefore, in this study, the effect of stacking angles of composite laminate on the permeability in the thickness direction was numerically analyzed based on representative volume element.