Finite element simulation of tensile test of composite materials manufactured by 3D printing

Abstract

A principle of 3D printing is based on formation of continuous layers of materials up to a formation of the final shape. Materials for production of given components are composite materials, especially on the basis of so-termed CFRP, CRP, (carbon fibre – so-termed polymers reinforced by carbon fibres). The objective of this paper is to predict the deformation length of carbon/onyx composite laminates using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and compare with universal testing machine INOVA FU 160 deformation results through the tensile load. Specimen were printed at raster orientation angles of 0°, 45° and 90° to test orientation effects on part strength. 16 ply CFRP specimens with various stacking sequences were analysed for their strength and displacements. A shell model has been established for simulation of the tensile test composite specimen which enables to understand the mechanical strength and strain at failure of the composite materials. The simulations of experiment are provided in FEM program ANSYS and ANSYS/Workbench.