MANUFACTURING MODEL FOR 3-DIMENSIONAL IRREGULAR PULTRUDED GRAPHITE EPOXY COMPOSITES/

Pultrusion is one of the most cost-effective and least laborious techn iques of producing structural composite materials. Detailed computer m odelling is required for the improved manufacturing and advancement of pultruded composites. This research involves a numerical three-dimens ional investigation of the thermochemical aspects of the design and ma nufacture of pultruded composite materials of various geometries by in vestigating axially, and in cross-sectional contour form, the transien t temperature and curing characteristics for graphite/epoxy composites . The behaviour of the exothermic chemical reaction on the temperature profiles and the degree of cure is discussed. A numerical model based on Patankar's finite difference technique was formulated for-solving the governing energy and species equations used in modelling the entir e heating section of the industrial PTI Pulstar 804 pultrusion machine . The chemical kinetic parameters of the Epon 9420 epoxy resin were de termined using a differential scanning calorimeter. Computer modelling has the ability of enhancing the understanding of the thermal and cur ing mechanisms without disrupting the performance of composites and ca n act as a useful tool to improve manufacturing. The cost-effective na ture of pre-fabrication modelling allows manufacturers to be more comp etitive in producing structural shaped composites.