Thermomechanical Analysis of Thermoplastic Mono-Material Sandwich Structures with Honeycomb Core

The application of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic mono-material sandwich panels has many advantages, such as recyclability, reduction in processing cycle times, integration of additional elements by means of welding, and a great potential for in-line production. The most efficient way to produce a c...

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Main Authors: Temuri Latsuzbaya, Peter Middendorf, Dietmar Voelkle, Christoph Weber
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-01-01
Series:Journal of Composites Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-477X/8/1/18
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author Temuri Latsuzbaya
Peter Middendorf
Dietmar Voelkle
Christoph Weber
author_facet Temuri Latsuzbaya
Peter Middendorf
Dietmar Voelkle
Christoph Weber
author_sort Temuri Latsuzbaya
collection DOAJ
description The application of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic mono-material sandwich panels has many advantages, such as recyclability, reduction in processing cycle times, integration of additional elements by means of welding, and a great potential for in-line production. The most efficient way to produce a curved thermoplastic sandwich panel is thermoforming, which has several challenges. One of them is to achieve a higher thermal gradient in the panel. On the one hand, the temperature at the skin–core interface must exceed the softening point of the polymer to reach a sufficient bonding degree. On the other hand, the core should not be overheated and overloaded to avoid its collapse. Furthermore, several fiber distortions, such as wrinkles or buckles, can be developed during thermoforming. All these flaws have a negative impact on the mechanical performance of the sandwich structure. The objective of this study is the development of a simulation tool for the thermoforming process, which can replace the time-consuming trial-and-error-based method. Therefore, a coupled thermomechanical model was developed for a novel thermoplastic sandwich structure, which is able to predict the temperature distribution and its influence on the mechanical properties of the panel. Experimental trials were conducted to validate the thermomechanical forming model, which demonstrated a good agreement with numerical results.
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spelling doaj.art-fd4cd310655a473db29e3c58bd55fc832024-01-26T17:10:44ZengMDPI AGJournal of Composites Science2504-477X2024-01-01811810.3390/jcs8010018Thermomechanical Analysis of Thermoplastic Mono-Material Sandwich Structures with Honeycomb CoreTemuri Latsuzbaya0Peter Middendorf1Dietmar Voelkle2Christoph Weber3Institute of Aircraft Design, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, GermanyInstitute of Aircraft Design, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, GermanyDiehl Aviation Laupheim GmbH, Am Flugplatz, 88471 Laupheim, GermanyDiehl Aviation Laupheim GmbH, Am Flugplatz, 88471 Laupheim, GermanyThe application of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic mono-material sandwich panels has many advantages, such as recyclability, reduction in processing cycle times, integration of additional elements by means of welding, and a great potential for in-line production. The most efficient way to produce a curved thermoplastic sandwich panel is thermoforming, which has several challenges. One of them is to achieve a higher thermal gradient in the panel. On the one hand, the temperature at the skin–core interface must exceed the softening point of the polymer to reach a sufficient bonding degree. On the other hand, the core should not be overheated and overloaded to avoid its collapse. Furthermore, several fiber distortions, such as wrinkles or buckles, can be developed during thermoforming. All these flaws have a negative impact on the mechanical performance of the sandwich structure. The objective of this study is the development of a simulation tool for the thermoforming process, which can replace the time-consuming trial-and-error-based method. Therefore, a coupled thermomechanical model was developed for a novel thermoplastic sandwich structure, which is able to predict the temperature distribution and its influence on the mechanical properties of the panel. Experimental trials were conducted to validate the thermomechanical forming model, which demonstrated a good agreement with numerical results.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-477X/8/1/18thermoplastic compositessandwich structurethermoformingthermomechanical analysischaracterization
spellingShingle Temuri Latsuzbaya
Peter Middendorf
Dietmar Voelkle
Christoph Weber
Thermomechanical Analysis of Thermoplastic Mono-Material Sandwich Structures with Honeycomb Core
Journal of Composites Science
thermoplastic composites
sandwich structure
thermoforming
thermomechanical analysis
characterization
title Thermomechanical Analysis of Thermoplastic Mono-Material Sandwich Structures with Honeycomb Core
title_full Thermomechanical Analysis of Thermoplastic Mono-Material Sandwich Structures with Honeycomb Core
title_fullStr Thermomechanical Analysis of Thermoplastic Mono-Material Sandwich Structures with Honeycomb Core
title_full_unstemmed Thermomechanical Analysis of Thermoplastic Mono-Material Sandwich Structures with Honeycomb Core
title_short Thermomechanical Analysis of Thermoplastic Mono-Material Sandwich Structures with Honeycomb Core
title_sort thermomechanical analysis of thermoplastic mono material sandwich structures with honeycomb core
topic thermoplastic composites
sandwich structure
thermoforming
thermomechanical analysis
characterization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-477X/8/1/18
work_keys_str_mv AT temurilatsuzbaya thermomechanicalanalysisofthermoplasticmonomaterialsandwichstructureswithhoneycombcore
AT petermiddendorf thermomechanicalanalysisofthermoplasticmonomaterialsandwichstructureswithhoneycombcore
AT dietmarvoelkle thermomechanicalanalysisofthermoplasticmonomaterialsandwichstructureswithhoneycombcore
AT christophweber thermomechanicalanalysisofthermoplasticmonomaterialsandwichstructureswithhoneycombcore