Hole diameter effects on fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite discs possessing distinct fiber arrays under thermal loading

Abstract

This study explores the thermomechanical behavior of steel fiber-reinforced high-density polyethylene matrix thermoplastic composite (TPC) discs possessing distinct fiber arrays and the influence of circular hole diameter, upon exposure to convective air cooling loading. The discs were manufactured and their thermomechanical properties were assessed. Models of the discs for different D/ W ratios (where D is the circular hole diameter and W is the disc width) were constructed and analyzed. Two parameters, the circular-hole diameter and the fiber array configuration, were varied. Thermal stresses generated during the cooling of each disc were then determined. Residual thermal stress and equivalent plastic strain for each respective D/ W ratio were presented in graphical form, enabling evaluation and comparison. A parametric study was conducted to identify the influence of both circular hole diameter and distinct fiber reinforcement upon residual thermal stress and plastic deformation for steel fiber/TPC discs subjected to thermal loading.