Yr. Chachad et al., MANUFACTURING MODEL FOR 3-DIMENSIONAL IRREGULAR PULTRUDED GRAPHITE EPOXY COMPOSITES/, Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing, 27(3), 1996, pp. 201-210
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.