Finite Element Analysis of Moisture Diffusion into Sandwich Composite Using Thermal-Mass Diffusion Analogy

摘要

A finite element model was developed in ABAQUS to predict the moistureingression into sandwich composites due to moisture diffusion. The finite elementmodel was based on thermal-mass diffusion analogy which had been used todevelop finite element models for predicting moisture diffusion into small-scaleelectronics. On the other hand, several sandwich composite specimens wereexposed to elevated humidity levels, and the resulting increase in core humidityover time was measured. Predictions based on the ABAQUS analysis were thencompared to the experimental measurements and also with predictions of a finitedifference scheme developed in-house previously. The trends of predictions by theABAQUS analysis were found to be in accordance with the experimental resultsand finite difference predictions, with scope for improved prediction with moreaccurate material properties.