MODELING OF THE CURING PROCESS OF A PREPREG FABRIC USED IN JOINING COMPOSITE-TO-ALLOY PIPES

摘要

The curing process of a prepreg laminate used in bonding a composite pipe to an alloy pipe has been modeled. The curing process models developed were solved using numerical modeling techniques for two-dimensional axisymmetrical heat transfer through the materials. Temperature and degree of cure distributions within the prepreg laminate are predicted. The prepreg material, composite and alloy pipes have temperature dependent thermal properties. Thus, the resulting two-dimensional heat conduction equations are nonlinear and analytical solutions cannot be easily obtained. This analysis is necessary to address non-uniform curing in the laminate during the manufacturing process. In this process, the prepreg laminate is wrapped around the ends of composite and alloy pipes to be coupled. Next, heat is applied to begin the curing of the prepreg matrix. To assess the effects of induced thermal stress in the joint, the temperature profile is needed as well. The methodology employed in this analysis compares favorably with data from experimentation.