Curing Temperature Field Analysis And Regulation Of Composite Components In Autoclave Process

Resin matrix composite materials are widely used in aerospace field because of its excellent performance such as high specific strength, high specific modulus etc. However, autoclave technique as the main method of aircraft composite structure attracted more attention. Recently, people found that composite had residual stress and deformation in autoclave process, because the mold component had a large size and complex structure, which was highly affect composite products’ quality and service life. In order to improve the quality of composite autoclave molding, reduce the cost and shorten the development cycle at the same time, the method of simulating temperature field of composite components and optimizing parameters in autoclave process was demanded.For the problems of composite nonuniform temperature distribution in autoclave process, this paper has conducted the research from three aspects. We use the ICEM and Fluent software to establish the finite element framework mold forced convection heat transfer in autoclave model, and according to the fluid flow state, take the standard κ-ε turbulence model for the mold temperature field in autoclave. Then, the correctness of the simulation results was proved, and base on this model we discussed the relationship about autoclave process parameters and mold temperature field. In second part, we established polyester and epoxy resin curing model basing on the solid heat conduction equation and the resin curing exothermic equation. Then, we proved the correctness of the model, and study parameters which included heat transfer coefficient, thickness etc, influence composite curing process. The temperature field and flow distribution characteristics of the aero composite components in autoclave process, which based on the Fluent fluid analysis software, had been given in third part of this paper. Give a method of fan installed on the frame type mold ventilation hole to enhance the thermal convection of air, and improve the uniformity of temperature field and flow distribution. The results show that, the flow field behind of frame type mold surface is complex, which has a flow vortex. Besides, the contact surface of composite has low temperature. However, the reasonable arrangement of fan position and control velocity can change the flow field inside the autoclave, make temperature uniformity of mold surface, and it is important to improve the curing temperature distribution uniformity of composite structure.