Analysis of thermal residual deformation using different FVFs for each ply

Abstract

The thermal stresses and residual deformations in composite materials are caused by differences in the thermal expansion coefficients between the fiber and matrix, chemical shrinkage of the matrix, and temperature distribution during curing. Complex thermal stresses can cause residual thermal deformations, including spring-in, spring-out, and warpage. Consequently, modifying composite molds is time-consuming and labor-intensive.In this study, composite laminate plates were fabricated using the VARTM and VIP processes. For each ply, thermal deformation analysis using different FVFs was performed, and the results were compared with the experimental results. The analysis error of the thermal residual deformations using various FVF for each ply was 9.9–36.1%, which was lower than that using the uniform FVF for all plies. Additionally, the residual thermal deformations caused by the VIP process were smaller than those caused by the VARTM process.